Our History
In 1902, Union Baptist Church was organized by a small band of believers lead by the Reverend H.J. Marshall. Blessed with many inspired men and women, their mission along was to reach out to all people. Their social or economic status did not stand in the way. Union was first known as “The Little Mission.”
In 1935, the founding father of “The Little Mission,” died after 15 years, leaving a great impression on the community. After several months with prayerful consideration the Reverend James Hazell Williams was installed as pastor on July 10 1935. The name of the church was changed to Union Baptist Church of Dover, Delaware. It was later incorporated December 11, 1935. In 1938, Reverend Williams lead the church from its modest beginnings in a small worn building on Banks Lane into a newly constructed sanctuary on New Street.
In 1968, Reverend Williams was led by God and supported by many faithful men and women to erect another edifice. In August of 1968, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for our current building facility. The construction was completed and the building was dedicated on August 24,1969. Union’s endurance and the contemporary vision of Dr. Williams Ministry was a testimony of faith. During his tenure and under his leadership, new ministries were added. Dr. Williams provided the community with a live radio broadcast of our worship services. It was called “Back to God” program and which ran from 1948 to well into 2000. Several Annual Days were also added to enhance the worship experience and increase opportunities for congregational fellowship and community service. The longest standing fellowship was with Saint Memorial Community Church organized by Dr. Norman Davis in Willingboro, NJ. During the height of Dr. Williams’ pastorate, the congregation reached a membership exceeding 400 persons.
Before Dr. Williams’ death, he carried the church to the newly formed National Missionary Convention of America. During 1991, the church formally incorporated “Missionary” into its name to show support for Dr. Williams lifelong position that we are to be “a missionary ministry” of Jesus Christ and we were then known as the Union Missionary Baptist Church. On February 22, 1989, after nearly 54 years of dedicated and sacrificial service to the family of Union and the Community of Dover, the angels of the Lord led Dr. Williams to God’s bosom of rest.
In March of 1989, Reverend John E. Bagley was elected as pastor by a grieving congregation to cover the pulpit. He served with vigor until October of the same year. During his brief tenure the church experienced a surge of spiritual enthusiasm that drew many inactive members and former members back to our doors. When Rev Bagley left, a group of approximately 60 members requested letters of dismissal, and they joined him in forming the Second Baptist Church of Dover.
In October 1989, Reverend Yvonne C. Brunson was asked to briefly serve as Interim Pastor while the church began their search for a new Pastor.
In 1991, Reverend Reedie G. Moore Jr accepted the call of the congregation to become Union Baptist Church’s fourth pastor. Pastor Moore came from a family of gifted preachers. He was young, energetic, and showed much enthusiasm.
In March of 1989, Reverend John E. Bagley was elected as pastor by a grieving congregation to cover the pulpit. He served with vigor until October of the same year. During his brief tenure the church experienced a surge of spiritual enthusiasm that drew many inactive members and former members back to our doors. When Rev Bagley left, a group of approximately 60 members requested letters of dismissal, and they joined him in forming the Second Baptist Church of Dover.
In October 1989, Reverend Yvonne C. Brunson was asked to briefly serve as Interim Pastor while the church began their search for a new Pastor.
In 1991, Reverend Reedie G. Moore Jr accepted the call of the congregation to become Union Baptist Church’s fourth pastor. Pastor Moore came from a family of gifted preachers. He was young, energetic, and showed much enthusiasm.
Union Baptist Church was affiliated with the National Baptist School Congress for many years. Pastor Moore along with the membership of the church voted to become affiliated with the American Baptist Churches of the USA and the Progressive National Baptist Convention.
In 1993, Capital Improvement Program began and was completed August 1994. The 1800 square foot addition houses a conference room, church office, Pastor Study, handicap accessible restroom. After a few years of a rapid decline in membership and a lack of vision, Reverend Moore left Union in June of 2016.
In July 2016, Bishop Doreina C. Miles was asked to serve as the Interim Pastor and later in January 2017 our congregation voted her in as the Senior Pastor. The church had been neglected and needed much repair not only physically, but spiritually. Union had lost it status and connection with the community. Through Bishop Miles’ leadership, Union began to have a pulse again. A breath of fresh air and renewal was released in Union. Bishop Miles assumed the leadership role as Union’s Senior Pastor and gave Union some much needed guidance and nurturing. It is by the Grace of God and through her divine leadership that Union has been able to reconnect to the community and to be the light and beacon to reach out to those in need.
Through her vision, our men have been revitalized in the “Kingdom Men Ministry” and the women in the “Kingdom Women Ministry.” Union continues in reach out the community through the community Bible Study, community church school, Sunday Morning Breakfast, Clothes Closet, and Food Bank Donations. Also , under the leadership of Bishop Miles and through much prayer, Union has undergone many areas of beautification to make church relevant to the 21st century and beyond improving the media and sounds system, pulpit area, new appliances for the kitchen and bringing it up to code, new tables, and offices in the fellowship hall, and a security System. Bishop Doreina C. Miles is a strong woman of faith; her prayer life is what propels her to move forward. Through Bishop Miles’ dynamic leadership and spiritual guidance Union has been able to take a big step forward into the future as this church prepares to celebrate 118 years in the Gospel Ministry.
On April 4, 2021, after a long extensive prayerful search, the congregation of Union Baptist Church voted to accept Dr. Matthew J. Mitchell as the Pastor. On July 18, 2021, the baton was officially passed from Bishop Miles to Pastor Mitchell. Pastor Mitchell along with his wife Lady Mitchell hit the ground running by creating a new logo and establishing a new catch phrase, “We Are Union.” Union began the serious work of rebuilding under Dr. Mitchell. At the beginning of 2022, Union had its first church wide fast, and devotional written by Lady Mitchell. Pastor Mitchell introduced to Union a new vision for the church called the Exodus 36 Project, a multi-phase vision. Phase 1 focuses on debt reduction, beautification, ministry improvement, and land acquisition. That same year, a three-phase New Member’s Class called GROW and the first ever Children’s Church was established, representing the future of Union. On March 27, 2022, Dr. Matthew J. Mitchell was installed as the Senior Pastor. As a former church-planter, he continues to motivate and stir up the hidden gifts within Union, with emphasis of making Union a relevant church Under Pastor Mitch ell’s leadership and vision, membership has more than doubled. Under Lady Mitchell’s leadership, the Media Ministry expanded its visibility on Facebook, other social media platforms and our current website. She introduced the Media’s motto, “A background position with an upfront mission” supported by Matt. 28:16-20. Under Dr. Mitchell’s leadership, he established Union’s new mission statement, “Uniting People to God, To Purpose, and To Community”. He has introduced core values that really make up our DNA and determine who we are. We are A Word Church; A Worshipping Church; A Working Church; A Witnessing Church; and A World Class Church.
In June of 2024, the Lord saw fit to transferred Pastor & Lady Mitchell to a new assignment in another vineyard.
On October 27, 2024, Union selected Rev. Ronald W. Fowlkes to serve as our Interim Pastor. Rev. Fowlkes is a preacher and a teacher who has been an associate here at Union for the last year. Rev. Fowlkes leads a very informative Wednesday Night Bible Study dealing with a deep dive into all Books of the Bible. Rev. Fowlkes has graciously and humbly offered his service to help Union transition unto our next chapter. Under his leadership, we have become further infused with our core values, we continued to do community outreach events especially with our Youth and Young Adults, Food Truck and Vegetable Give-Aways, and we continue to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Rev Fowlkes has also implemented new Deacon and Leadership Training classes for the further development of all ministries in the church. As Union continues to grow and expand the Lord’s vision, He has not left us wandering in the wilderness. On September 3, 2025, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the members of Union Baptist voted Rev. Ronald W. Fowlkes in as our next Senior Pastor and he was installed on October 26, 2025. With great expectations and faith in what is to come we are filled with enthusiasm about the future leadership of our church. We look forward to welcoming all people to the ministry here at Union.https://unionbaptistchurchdover.org/our-history