Montclair, New Jersey
The following is a brief history of the Union Baptist Church as researched from library articles and prior church history articles.
The Union Baptist Church of Montclair, New Jersey had its beginnings in February 1887, when thirty local residents, all members of the Baptist faith, formed their own religious organization and named themselves the “Baptist Mission.” Prior to that time they had worshipped at the St. Mark’s Methodist Church, one of the oldest churches in Montclair, New Jersey. For the next two years the “Baptist Mission” worshipped at several different locations within town.
The Reverend Jack Harris (from February 1887 – May 1889) served as the first pastor of this small group, while simultaneously pastoring at the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Orange, New Jersey. His spiritual leadership was of great value in directing the following accomplishments:
Started Sunday school in May 1887.
Consolidated various groups of the First Church better known as the First Baptist Church in Montclair, that was later changed to its present name, Union Baptist, the first
Black Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey.
The Reverend William Perry (from July 1889 – 1899). The membership was 46 persons when he assumed the pastoral duties. Rev. Perry was born before the Emancipation Proclamation, the son of slave parents. He was well educated due to his parents’ determination that he not be untrained. His strong leadership led to the following accomplishments:
Grew the congregation to 356 members.
Incorporated the church on September 20, 1889 as the Union Baptist Church.
Led the ground breaking for our original church building in 1890.
The Reverend John C. Love (from May 1899 – 1946) came to Union Baptist Church from the Blount Street Baptist Church, Raleigh, North Carolina. Rev. Love was a practical gospel preacher and had the longest pastorate in our history. He retired in 1946 and became Pastor Emeritus. Under his leadership of forty-seven years, he directed the following accomplishments:
Three years after his arrival in May 1899, the indebtedness of $5,000 was liquidated, and burned the mortgage on the original church in 1902.
Continued to grow Union Baptist Church, by adding two wings to our old building to increase seating capacity, purchased property at the corner of Midland Avenue and Portland Place, and burned the mortgage on that building in 1943.
Encouraged home ownership and improvement, demanded business-like deportment, advocated frugality and realistic living within ones economic means.
The Reverend Deual C. Rice (from September 1946 – 1966) had served as pastor of the Bank Street Baptist Church of Norfolk, Virginia, and for four years he was a Chaplain in the United States Army. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in the Liberal Arts College now known as Rutgers University, and his Divinity Degree at Virginia Union University. Under Rev. Rice’s leadership our church membership grew to about 900 and we continually added new organizations. He retired in 1966 after twenty years of service and his became the second longest pastorate in our history with the following accomplishments:
Introduced the Student Aid Society, which was later expanded into the Union Baptist Scholarship Fund that has awarded $150,000 in financial aid.
Purchased the Activities Building, now known as D. C. Rice Hall.
The Reverend William H. Gray, III (from 1966 – 1973). A graduate of Franklin and Marshall and the Drew University Theological School. He served at the First Baptist Church in Montclair as a student minister. Upon the untimely demise of his father, Rev. Gray was called to the pastorate of the Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Under his leadership he directed and implemented the following accomplishments:
Established a day nursery in D. C. Rice Hall.
Directed the installation of air-conditioning in the sanctuary, and activated the WHG Choir.
Was the primary sponsor of the Union Development Corporation of Montclair, organized to build the relocation housing for Montclair’s first Urban Renewal Project.
The Reverend Elbert L. Maxwell (from 1973 –1983). He was a former associate minister at West Hunter Street Baptist Church, Atlanta Georgia, where the Rev. Dr. Ralph D. Abernathy was pastor. He also pastored churches in Georgia and southern New Jersey. The community ministry of Union expanded again under his leadership and he implemented the following accomplishments:
Established the Essex County Nutrition Project, which provided hot lunches for approximately 1,000 senior citizens daily at 10 sites in the greater Essex County Suburban Area.
Purchased the church first parsonage, coordinated a new Gospel Chorus and a Youth Drill Team.
The Reverend W. Temple Richie, Jr. (from December 1984 – November 2001). He is a graduate of Virginia State College (now University) and Harvard Divinity School. He had pastored churches in Kentucky (Louisville and Paducah), Columbus, Ohio. Served as a US Air Force Chaplain and as Executive Director of the Carter G. Woodson Center, South Omaha, Nebraska. Under his tenure, various ministries were expanded and new ones were formed. Rev. Richie pastored at Union for seventeen years and under his leadership performed the following accomplishments:
Rejuvenated the music ministry, scholarship aid, and Christian education.
Established the outreach, evangelism, couples, and singles ministry. Increased and supported missionary work and many souls were saved for Christ. Purchased a church van and computerized office equipments. Renovated the church facilities and hired new staff.
Under his leadership the church launched The Union Storage Company Inc., a self-storage business owned and operated by the church. In 1996 the church voted to become a “Tithing” church eliminating fundraisers as an income source for operational expenses.
The Reverend Dr. Walter L. Parrish III (from March 1, 2003 – present). He came to us as Interim Pastor on March 1, 2003. On May 21, 2003, he was voted in to be our eighth pastor. Rev. Parrish is a graduate of Morehouse College and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He was a pastor in Brooklyn, New York before serving at the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board. He received an Honorary Doctorate degree from Virginia University, Lynchburg, Virginia for his work in making benefits available to historically Black Baptist denominations.
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“Union Baptist Church is intentional about lifting up Jesus Christ and empowering people to live changed lives.”
Union Baptist church strives to be a place where all are welcome in the sharing of Jesus Christ as Lord; where the power of God is demonstrated in worship and discipleship; where fellowship, health, healing and empowerment are brought about through prayer and service as led by the Holy Spirit.
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