UNION CHAPEL COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH

 

We believe that it was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit that Union Chapel Community Church was organized in 1958.  In order to consider and appreciate the history of any organization one first needs some understanding of the prevailing conditions under which the organization was formed.  To do this let us look back to the location/area that later became known as Union Chapel Community Church.

 

A division arose among the Church Membership at Union Chapel Holiness Methodist Church, located on the Union Chapel Road across from union Chapel Elem. School.  Union Chapel Holiness Methodist Church is known as the Mother Church of the Lumber River Conference.  The problem was finally settled in court in favor of the Lumber River Conference on January 18, 1958.  The Lumber River Conference was established in 1900 with 5 churches.

 

A select group opted to remove themselves from the Union Chapel Church and form a church where on a majority vote issues would be settled instead of a Bishop/Officer singular ruling as one person or individual.  A special called meeting was held at the home of Brother Fuller L. Locklear on January 24, 1958.  The decision was approved to build a new church in the Union Chapel Community.  All present was in total agreement.  The first meeting was held in the Pack House on the farm of Brother Fuller Locklear on Sunday January 26, 1958 at which time the group organized themselves.  The group had  a charter membership of thirty-six.

 

The officers for Sunday School were elected: Supt.: Thurman Locklear; Secretary: Mrs. Effie Jane Oxendine; Sunday School Treasurer: Brother William H. Jones; Treasurer of Building Fund: Brother Hayes Locklear; Chairman of Stewardship Committee: Brother Willard Locklear; Pastor: Rev. Joseph Anderson; Deacons: Bro. Archie Lowry, Bro Winford Jacobs, Bro. Merlin Locklear, Bro Godwin Chavis, and Bro. Will Scott. Trustee Board: Bro. Leonard Jacobs, Bro. A.A. Maynor, & Bro. Jim Jones.

 

On February 03, 1958 Mr.& Mrs. Welton Locklear gave to the Group/Community one acre of land to build a Church.  On that same day ground breaking for the new church was held.  Mr. Calton Oxendine a building contractor was named to supervise the construction.  Southern National Bank approved a loan of $10,000 on March 5, 1958.

 

A host of friends gave trees, money and free labor to help build the Church.  A facility was completed in 97 days.  On Mother’s Day May 11, 1958 the first service was held in the Union Chapel Community Church with Rev. Z. R. Chavis preaching.  Approximately 250 people were present.

 

On October 21, 1961 all financial obligations were paid and the Corner Stone was sealed on January 06, 1962.  Encased within were the canceled note stamped PAID and the Church History and list of membership.

 

In its earliest years, Union Chapel Church was a non-denominational Independent Church.  Attorney David Britt presented a constitution for the Church to the Deacons from Fairmont on June 14, 1958.  The proposed constitution was ratified at a regular conference meeting of the church.

 

The Church in regular Conference on Saturday March 04, 1964 voted to build a Fellowship Hall on the present site.  This project was completed with Bro. Herman Maynor serving as contractor and project manager.

 

On January 05, 1980 the church contracted with Rev. Crites Oxendine to build classrooms on the rear for $25,000.00.  On January 05, 1985 the membership voted to petition the Burnt Swamp Baptist Union for membership.  This request was granted membership in the Union.  On October 16, 1987 Union Chapel Community Church was received as a Member of the Association.

 

The Church was experiencing a strong growth in attendance, which presented a serious parking problem.  The Trustees formed a verbal agreement with Welton Locklear, Jr. and wife Betty to rent four-tenths of land.  In 1993 the land was sold to the Church as a parking facility for $12,000. On June 11, 1995 the ground breaking was held for a new Construction Project of Classrooms, Restrooms, Pastor’s Study, Nursery and Conference Room.  Also the pulpit was remodeled for a Choir Loft and a Baptismal pool.  Lumbee Guaranty Bank approved a loan for $200,000 on June 26, 1995.

 

Union Chapel Community Baptist Church has licensed 7 preachers:

Rev. John W. Jones 1958; Rev. Howard Oxendine 1958; Rev. Godwin Chavis 1962; Rev. Monroe Woods 1981; Rev. Artie Seals 1990; Rev. Ricky Locklear 1996;  and Rev. Anthony Oxendine 1997.

 

The Union Chapel Community Baptist Church is now experiencing growth.  But, the positive attitude of the Church is Love and Fellowship within the Church Family.  The Church budget is near $80,000.00.  Full time Pastor Rev. Jimmy Strickland is leading the Church.  Today the Sunday School enrollment is 223 with a Church membership of 134. 

 

FORMER PASTORS OF CHURCH

 

Reverend Joseph Anderson.........................................................................1958-1963

Reverend Douglas Mitchell.........................................................................1963-1971

Reverend Claudie Dial................................................................................1971-1973

Reverend John W. Jones.........................................................1973 (less than one year

Reverend Chason L. Oxendine...................................................................1973-1977

Reverend Monroe Woods...........................................................................1977-1981

Reverend Douglas Mitchell........................................................................1981-1982

(No Pastor)..................................................................................................1982-1983

Reverend Jimmy Strickland.....................................................................1983-present

 

Value of Church land and plant is $600,000.00.