Union Chapel United Church of Christ is said to be the oldest church in the Lincoln Christian Conference and has an interesting historical background.

The whites of the Union Ridge Community started a church and built a structure that they called the Old Union MeetingHouse in 1815. They constructed a Bush Arbor nearby and invited the African Americans to worship beside them. Later, the whites built a frame church with a balcony and the African Americans were invited to worship in the balcony where all enjoyed days of fellowship as they sang, prayed, shouted and preached together.

By mutual agreement, in 1870, the people of Union Ridge helped the former slaves to build a church, which they named Union Chapel. A member of Union Ridge Christian Church helped birth Union Chapel Christian Church by donating a tract of land, which is our present site. Union Ridge members gave trees that were carried to saw mills to make ready for use, and the African Americans built a small log church. It was constructed of roughly hewn logs, benches with peg legs, and stovepipes hanging out of the windows. Different preachers preached one Sunday each month. These preachers were Reverend Moses Fyke, Reverend Rufus Whitaker and Reverend W.D. Dunn. Reverend Charlie Ray was the first pastor. In addition to being a church, Union Chapel was also a schoolhouse.

In the year 1894, a second frame church was built under the leadership of Reverend Charlie W. Ray.

In 1934, the third church building was completed through the hard work and dedication of various individuals. Money was hard to come by during the depression, but with about $300 on hand at the start, the help of God, free labor and donations from

members and friends, the church was built and paid for and pews were made. The cost of this church was around $6,000.

In the 1930’s Reverend Capps served as Pastor. In 1938, Reverend F.A.Hargett, Reverend Walter Howard and Reverend T. J.Levester served as interim pastors. In 1941, under theleadership of C. Hodge, Union Chapel was the first black church inAlamance County to have a choir. These were years of growth inthe church.

Reverend William M. Lake became Pastor. The church began to grow, and a new brick church was started. The members appointed a Building Committee. The church purchased the building materials and secured a loan. Reverend Cleatus G. Lee became Pastor in 1955 and the church was completed in 1956. During this time, a Junior Choir was organized under the leadership of Reverend Lee. The Willing Workers Club built a “hut” for fellowshipping and homecomings. The church received a communion table, pulpit set, flower stands, and two chairs. In later years, the church agreed to have the pews covered.

In 1971, Reverend John H. Jones became Pastor and the church burned its mortgage in 1973. Under his leadership, the church agreed to become a part of the United Church of Christ. Thus, Union Chapel Christian Church became Union Chapel United Church of Christ. Two fellowship halls were constructed while Rev. Jones was Pastor and the church once again grew in membership and in Spirit. The church purchased its first van, adjoining land, and remodeled the sanctuary. They also installed a heating and air conditioning system, organized a Missionary Circle, received women on the Trustee Board, and began a night Bible Study during this period.