OUR STORY



We have a rich history that reaches back into the 19th century when on the heels of the underground railroad a small group of Afro-Canadians had the audacity to believe God to plant a church. Many church beginnings are characterized by the mercy and grace of God and the obedience and humility of a people moved to glorify Him. Union Baptist Church is no different in this regard. In addition, there existed a sincere desire to come together to praise and thank God for deliverance from the evils of slavery in America. In the beginning, people met in their farm homes with the determination to survive and thrive in this new land called Canada. Reading and studying the Bible was a privilege that was rarely possible before. More determined than ever, the courageous group laid the groundwork for a common place to worship. It was one faithful day, October 10, 1885, from humble beginnings, Union Baptist Church was established in an old School House in Chatham Township, Ontario, Canada. The church was granted a healthy start by God as there were approximately 55 believers who were charter members with Rev. Samuel Lynn as their first Pastor. While its charter members were Afro-Canadian, Union has always sought to minister to and welcome people from every Nation, Race, Colour and Culture.
On June 13, 1971, under the leadership of Pastor John Peoples, Union laid the cornerstone and dedicated a new edifice for worshiping and serving God. Since then, nearly 50 years of ministry for the Kingdom of God has transpired inside and outside the walls of Union. Many souls who yielded themselves to God and who have impacted the community with service realize that knowing God makes all the difference. We give thanks to all the members of Union Baptist Church, whether in heaven or still sojourning, who came to Christ, the Living Stone, with a heart to serve Him. After well over a century of ministry, God has been so kind to Union allowing her to continue to be relevant in the small rural community of Dresden down through the years.
Our Pastors
1885 - 1908 Rev. Samuel Lynn
1908 - 1920 Rev. J. C Richards
1921 - 1922 Rev. Herbert Dungy
1922 - 192- Rev. Thresher
192- - 192- Rev. Earl Saunders
192- - 192- Rev. E. A. Wilson
192- - 192- Rev. Solomon
192- - 192- Rev. W. H. Snowden
1930 - 1938 Rev. James Clinton Browning
1938 - 1945 Rev. Mack Brown
1945 - 1946 Rev. Andrew Talbot
1946 - 1949 Rev. Henry Talbot
1949 - 1950 Rev. Herbert Dungy
1951 - 1954 Rev. Seymour Boyce
1954 - 1964 Rev. Benjamin A. Gearo
1965 - 1965 Rev. Charles Burch
1966 - 1976 Rev. John Peoples
1977 - 1978 Rev. Patrick Reid
1979 - 1981 Rev. Andrew Talbot
1981 - 1983 Rev. Thomas Berry
1984 - 1991 Rev. Richard R. Thompson
1991 - 2005 Rev. Allen Langford
2005 - 2009 Rev. Frederick L. Brown, Sr.
2009 - 2010 Vacant
2010 - 2014 Rev. David J. Carter, Jr.
2014 - 2015 Vacant
2015 - 2016 Rev. Mark Aarssen
2016 - 202- Rev. Will Hawk