Union's First Years

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Union Independent Presbyterian Church was organized on November 9, 1850 with the election of Daniel F. Ragan, Robert H. Craig, and George R. Bryson as elders. In 1863 Rev. W. W. Ratchford, serving at Union, and John Craig collected money from members and bought a two-acre tract of land southeast of the Meeting House and constructed a 40 x 60 frame church.

 

In 1863, Union Independent Presbyterian church merged into the Presbyterian Church of the Confederate States of America and Union Church united with Bethel Presbytery and the Synod of South Carolina. Union Church remained in the Synod of South Carolina until 1865 when the church transferred to Mecklenburg Presbytery (now the Presbyterian Church in the United States). 

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In 1876, Sandy Plains Baptist Church was built. Union Presbyterian Church helped pay for those buildings and Sandy Plains gave them a quit claim to the the original lot.

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In the early 1890's, Rev. William C. C. Foster sold a five acre tract of land to the church for $100 and helped build the first manse for Union. Prior to this pastors primarily lived in housing provided by Olney. Check out a picture of the first manse here (with the Rev. George Sparrow family pictured).

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For many of the early years, the church had an outdoor arbor and services would be held outside in the summer times. Union would also hold singing schools- conducted by Mr. John Riddle, Mr. Stowe, and others. 

Growth over the Years​

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Union's present brick sanctuary was build in 1907 during the pastorate of Rev. George A. Sparrow. Rev. George Sparrow is Union's longest called pastor, serving Union for nearly 29 years. You can find out more about Rev. Sparrow here. The dedication for the current sanctuary took place August 19-23, 1910 after all debts for the $7,500 sanctuary were paid off. 

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Olney and Union continued to be in a yoked pastorate. It isn't until 1922 that the 2 separated permanently.

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The Old Sunday School building was built for Union in 1950 through contributions from the Henderson family. At this time a hut was used for a fellowship hall and continued to be used this way for many years. Also, a new baptismal font (still used today) was given in memory of James R. Glenn who was killed in action during WWII. In 1967, a new educational building and fellowship hall was completed (still in use today). The Old Sunday School building became known as the Henderson Building and the hut was moved across Union Road and was used by the Union Community Club for many years. 

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To the east of the church is Union Cemetery where many generations of the church and community are buried. Most graves are marked and the cemetery is well cared for. It is open to the public. Link here for a map of the cemetery. A Cemetery Index will be available online soon.  

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You can read more about Union's Early history in this newspaper article about Union printed in 1926. 

Union's Affiliations

 

As this region grew and changed over the years, Union has been a member of many different denominations, synods, and Presbyteries. Below is a snapshot-

• 1842- No affiliation

• 1850- Independent Presbyterian Church, North Carolina District

• 1863- PCCSA (Presbyterian Church of the Confederate States of America), Synod of South Carolina, Bethel Presbytery

• 1865- PCUS (Presbyterian Church in the United States), Synod of North Carolina, Mecklenburg Presbytery

• 1870- PCUS, Synod of NC, Kings Mountain Presbytery

• 1903- PCUS, Synod of NC, Presbytery I

• 1973- PCUS, Synod of NC, Presbytery of Concord

• 1983- PCUSA (Presbyterian Church USA), Synod of NC, Presbytery of Concord

• 1987-PCUSA, Synod of Mid-Atlantic, Presbytery A

• 1989-PCUSA, Synod of Mid-Atlantic, Presbytery of Western North Carolina

Recent Years​​

 

Check out this placemat from the 140 year celebration at Union on November 11, 1990.

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In 2009, the Henderson building was replaced with a new addition that connected the Sanctuary and Education Wing. The addition, still is use today, includes a rotunda and elevator.

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In 2022, the church added a Community Outdoor Walking Trail to its property, to be used to walk thru nature and commune with God. You can find maps to the trail and several prayer guides to use on the trail here. 

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• click here to find out more about what Union believes and it's affiliations​

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• click here to find out more about the ministry at Union