In the mid 1800’s a group consisting of several area families met at Lonely Hill School for Sunday School each Sunday morning. The log cabin school was designated as a meeting place as the group sought to avoid walking the long distance to Gray’s Creek Missionary Baptist Church every Sunday. As members of Gray’s Creek Church, the group attended services there on the Sunday identified as Worship Services Sunday. Lonely Hill School was situated on what is now known as Cypress Lake Road located off Chicken Foot Road.
In approximately 1858, the McLean family provided an acre of land in their will and specified that it be used to establish a black church. When the McLean will was probated, a deed for this land was issued. The Lonely Hill Sunday School group then purchased a larger old house near Rock Fish Creek Bridge on Highway 301 located south of Fayetteville. The group used the timber to build a church on the acre of land which it had been granted. Established in 1901, the church was given the name Baptist Union Missionary Baptist Church. With the establishment of Baptist Union, the group received letters of dismissal from Gray’s Creek Church.
Later, the roof of the church was raised, new additions to the building were made and a steeple was added. Under the leadership of Pastor A.G. Thompson, office space, classrooms, a fellowship hall, baptismal pool and pews were added to the sanctuary. Approved under the leadership of Pastor O.L. Bennett, brick veneering of the church was completed during the tenure of Rev. J.D. Fuller. Also under Pastor Fuller’s leadership, central heating and air conditioning were installed. Under the direction of Rev. (Dr.) M.B. Hayes, an education wing was erected, a porch was added to the front of the church, a church bus was purchased, additional office space added, bathrooms and classrooms were added. In 1994, an extensive remodel of the church was completed with the following enhancements: the choir stand was extended, the baptismal pool was relocated, pews padded, new carpet installed and the church purchased its first van in 1998.
Rev. Irby was instrumental in bringing all of the church’s finances into one central account thereby improving the church’s accounting methods and establishing noon day Bible Study, Fun Day, and the purchase of 10 acres of land. Under Pastor McDougald’s leadership, the church experienced growth and attendance was increased at weekly Bible Study and Sunday worship service. Membership continued to increase and plans to construct a new sanctuary became a reality in September 2013.
On July 13, 2015, the members of Baptist Union had Sunday School in the old church one final time before marching over to the new Sanctuary. Rev. Dr. Pamela Morrison along with one of our most senior members, Sis. Corenia Edwards followed behind by the Boy Scouts carrying the church flag and the American flag. Deacon Kenneth Melvin rang the old Church bell which had been placed in the front yard of the old church. Members sang “We’ve Come This Far By Faith” and possession was taken of the new sanctuary. On Saturday, September 12, 2015 the church cornerstone was laid.
Rev. Kareem E. Buck became pastor in January 2015 and was officially installed on March 8, 2015. Since becoming Pastor, the church has once again began to flourish under his teaching and discovering what it means to live under God’s Grace.
Rev. Roam was the first Pastor of Baptist Union Church; he served in its inaugural year – 1901. The following ministers also served as Pastors of Baptist Union (the list may not be in the proper sequence): Rev. Peter McMillan, Rev. Oliver Watkins, Rev. T.J. Pearson, Rev. Morrison, Rev. W.J. Currie, Rev. Dunham, Rev. F.D. Bandy, Rev. J.M. Smith and Rev. Malcolm Wright. The list continues with Rev. L.M. Miles whose first term was in 1930, Rev. J.L. Simpson (1931-1935), Rev. W.T. Currie (2 nd term: 1936-1937), Rev. L.M. Miles (2 nd term: 1938-1939), Rev. A.G. Thompson (1940-1963), Rev. O.L. Bennett (1964 1969), Rev. J.D. Fuller (1970-1973), and Rev. (Dr.) M.B. Hayes (1974-2003), Rev. Paul A. Baker- Interim (2003), Rev. Perry B. Irby (2003-2006), Rev. Paul Baker- Interim (2006), Rev. Michael C. McDougald (2006-2013), Rev. (Dr.) Pamela Morrison-Interim (2013-2014) and Rev. Kareem E. Buck, Present.
Baptist Union Missionary Baptist Church 