Union Baptist Church (Cincinnati, Ohio) facts for kids

The Union Baptist Church is Cincinnati's oldest black church. It was started on July 14, 1831. This church has a long and important history in the community.

History of the Church

Early Beginnings

The first meeting of the Union Baptist Church happened in a building on Third Street in downtown Cincinnati. The members soon built their own church on Central Avenue. They chose Rev. David Leroy Nickens from Chillicothe, Ohio to be their first pastor. The church grew quickly. By 1839, they needed a bigger building. They moved to Baker Street and stayed there for 25 years.

Important Leaders

After Rev. Nickens, Rev. Charles Satchell became pastor in 1838. Then, William P. Newman took over in 1848. When a law called the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was passed, it made it very dangerous for formerly enslaved people, even if they were free. Because of this law, William Newman had to leave and went to Canada for safety.

After Newman left, several other pastors led the church: Rev. Henry Adams (until 1855), Rev. H. L. Simpson (until 1858), and Rev. H. H. White (for three years). William Newman returned in 1864. He served until he passed away in 1866 during a sickness called a cholera epidemic. Rev. Simpson came back to lead the church until 1869, followed by Rev. James H. Magee.

A New Home and Cemetery

In 1864, members of the church started the Union Baptist Cemetery. It is located in the Price Hill neighborhood. This cemetery is the oldest Baptist African-American cemetery in Cincinnati.

In the 1960s, a big city project called urban renewal meant the church had to move from its old home at Richmond and Mound Streets. The church moved to Seventh & Central Avenues in 1971. This move happened under the leadership of Rev. Wilber Page, who was a pastor there for a long time.

Moving Forward

The Union Baptist Church continues to be an important part of the Cincinnati community today. It keeps working to help people and serve the area.

References

Bibliography

• Howard, Allen (February 17, 2001). "City's oldest black church honors 3 who nurtured it". The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio). http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2001/02/17/loc_citys_oldest_black.html.