Union Baptist Church - Virginia Beach

Brief Church History:

Union Baptist Church was founded in November 1862 in what is now the Pembroke section of Virginia Beach, VA, but was then considered to be the Kempsville area of Princess Anne County, VA. Our first church building was a "Bush Shelter" built in the 1890's. Before that...we shared a space with a white congregation in Kempsville. We later built a permanent building under the leadership of the late Rev. Arnold. The church was then officially named Smith Corner Baptist Church, which seemed appropriate since there was a man on the corner across from the church who owned a store and his last name was Smith. Many older congregants and persons around town still sometimes refer to us as "Smith Corner" today. Later on, the need arose for renovations to the existing building in which took place under the leadership of Rev. Dr. S.L. Scott, Sr. who pastored for 27 years. The church name was later changed under his leadership to our current name of Union Baptist. His son, Rev. Dr. S.L. Scott, Jr., followed in his father's footsteps and pastored for 44 years. Under his leadership many ministries were formed including the Deaconess Ministry, the introduction of our Annual Women’s and Men’s Day Services, and the church underwent a major renovation. The exterior was bricked, the sanctuary was completely remodeled, and we became the first African-American Church in Virginia Beach to have an Electric Hammond C-3 Organ and Central Air Conditioning. In the spring of 1996, the church again went through a major renovation; this time demolishing over half of the church building and restoring the remaining portion to make way for a completely new sanctuary addition. Unfortunately, Dr. Scott was never afforded the opportunity to see this vision come to pass, for he passed away during the middle of the construction process. In September of 1996...The Reverend W. Samuel Walton was called to Pastor. Many changes were made under his leadership including the introduction of using envelopes for the offering on Sundays, the formation of the Gospel Choir, Inspirational Ushers, Praise Dance, and Step Ministries to name a few. He also ordained over a dozen new deacons, and consecrated over a dozen trustees, and over half a dozen new Deaconesses. He licensed two persons into ministry and ordained one who now pastor's in New Symerna Beach, FL. The First Sunday in May of 2003, the 8 a.m. Worship Service was added due to the churches continued growth under Pastor Walton's Leadership. Pastor Walton also made history in the UBC church during a church meeting in December of 2006 when he proposed and the congregation accepted the new position of an "Administrative Liaison to the Pastor" in which was filled by the very talented and capable, Rev. Dr. Thomasine Reid. The church grew numerically, financially, and most importantly, spiritually under his leadership. After marching into the new $1 million edifice on the first Sunday in January 1998, we celebrated the burning of the mortgage during our watch night service on New Year's Eve, 2002 in just five short years! Once again, the need arose for us to expand and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God revealed a great vision to Pastor Walton for the UBC Family. Plans were drawn up for an approximately $4 million 4-story addition to our current facility adding apprx 35,000 sq. ft. The new facility consists of a banquet hall to accommodate 400 in a banquet setting and around 600 in a theater setting. The new addition also allowed for an addition of approximately 150 new seats added to the balcony, increasing the sanctuary seating capacity to approx 600 as well. The new facility will houses office and meeting spaces, classrooms, a bookstore, (Media Center), and computer lab on the third floor and a half-court gymtorium on the fourth floor complete with bleachers, showers, lockers, a concession stand, an office, storage spaces, an arcade, and an exercise area. Unfortunately and very much to our surprise, our Beloved Pastor Walton went home to be with the Lord on May 31, 2009. As with our former pastor Dr. Scott, Pastor Walton was not afforded the opportunity to see his vision come to pass, however, God did allow him to meet with the architect and building committee to finalize all of the plans and even pick out many of the finishes to go into the new building such as ceramic/porcelain/granite tiles, hardwood floors, carpet, paint, etc. so that when the building was completed, it was truly the vision that God gave to him which he originally drew on a napkin in his office while talking with the Lord! God blessed us to break ground, making Pastor Walton's vision begin becoming a reality on May 15, 2011. Rev. Terron M. Rodgers and congregation of Ebenezer Baptist Church were our guests. Pastor Rodgers preached an inspiring message entitled, "Let's Go to Work!" On Wednesday, December 14, 2011, Union and Dr. Thomasine Reid made history once again by electing her as the first female pastor, not only at Union Baptist Church, but in the whole Hampton Roads Region of a Historically Black Baptist Church, and one of only a handful in the state! In grand celebration style, during the last weekend of February 2013, we dedicated the Rev. W. Samuel Walton Family Life Center and celebrated the first anniversary of our Pastor, Dr. Thomasine Reid…What a Mighty God We Serve! We remain steadfast in our faith and know that God has the ultimate plan and yield to His will for our church family knowing that he hasn't brought us over the past 151 years to leave us now!