A Brief History of Union Presbyterian Church

A Brief History of Union Presbyterian Church

Under the gracious hand of the Almighty God, Rev. R. L. Phelps was led to the Union community in the year 1914. Traveling on hazardous roads by horse and buggy he preached the Word of God in homes of the people of the community. Finally during the summer months he received permission from the Methodist Church to hold services once a month in their sanctuary. On Sunday, September 10, 1914, a document was drawn up and duly signed which represented the wishes of a faithful few families to become a part of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. This charter contained these words, "We declare our acceptance of the Bible as God's Word, the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and confess faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God as our only Savior from all sin."

"We petition the Presbytery of New Hope to recognize and enroll this congregation under its jurisdiction. Union, Mississippi, September 10, 1914." Those signing this document were:

J. W. Milling	Miss Bertha Nicholson	Miss Mary Whittle
Miss Feenie Milling	F. B. Nicholson	B. H. Waller
Mrs. Mattie Milling	Mrs. F. B. Nicholson	Mrs. Bettie Waller
Mrs. Hattie Belle Milling	J. M. Cole	H. D. Roger
Miss Sallie Missing	Mrs. Mary L. Cole	Mrs. Zexa Rogers
J. J. Nicholson	S. D. Whittle	Mrs. Cora B. Calvert
Miss Artie Nicholson	Mrs. Inez Whittle	Mrs. Mattie Moore
Miss Minnie Milling	Herman Whittle

These people were all charter members of the First Presbyterian Church of Union, Mississippi. We thank God for these who were willing to sign their names to become faithful Presbyterians in Union, Miss. This was truly a step of faith.

On that same day, September 10, 1914, the first elders were also elected to office. They were: J. W. Milling, J. J. Nicholson, J. M. Cole, and F. B. Nicholson.

The first need of the new church was a sanctuary, and because of the faithfulness of the people and other interested people the present sanctuary was built in the winter of 1915 and early part of 1916. (This sanctuary has since been replaced with a modern brick structure on the east side of town.) For more than 55 years this building has stood for the glory of God and is standing in that present form at the corner of Jackson Road and North Street. It stands to represent the Mighty God who by His Grace has caused it to weather the storms for all these years. Now it is a New Day and the building needs to be replaced, but we pause to praise God for his protection over his Church.

God blessed the membership of the church in those formative years under the faithful ministry of Rev. C. P. Thrailkill. His love and devotion is still remembered by some of the present members of our church. We thank God for such a good shepherd as Rev. Thrailkill. During his ministry the manse of the church was built at the cost of $3,000. The manse like the church has been kept well by the hand of God. The manse today is much like it was when it was built except for a new heating system and modernizing of the kitchen. Again we praise God for the way He has graciously protected these buildings through the years.

Time does not permit for us to tell how God blessed this church with the faithful ministry of men who preached the "Good News" of Christ. But, please permit us to name them and tell when they were here. Maybe you will recall to memory some of them.

Rev. R.. L. Phelps	Organization until May 1918
Rev. C. P. Thrailkill	June 1918 until June 1924
Rev. A. C. Smith	September 1924 until June 1929
Rev. A. N. Penland	September 1929 until September 1944
Rev. J. H. Laster	April 1945 until June 1948
Rev. C. P. Thrailkill	May 1949 until September 1956 (2nd Term)
Rev. U. A. Brogden	September 1958 until April 1960
Rev. C. W. Allen	July 1961 until October 1962
Rev. C. L. Skinner	July 1964 until April 1968
Rev. H. E. McNeely	July 1970 - Present minister

During the years 1914 until 1963 the church was a United Presbyterian Church, and the ministers were hard to find as we were the extreme southern portion of that church. The Church felt it best to join the Southern Presbyterian Church. Finally in September of 1963 the United Presbyterian Church consented to let the Union Church join its southern friends. We have been extremely happy as a Southern Church. We thank God for the fellowship we enjoy in the Presbytery of Central Mississippi.

Starting in 1965 with some $3,000 set aside two or three years earlier the members added $7,800 the first year toward an educational building. In 1966 a total of $32,800 was reached. A restudy of our situation led us to decide to build a whole new church, and in 1967 our total reached $48,000. By the end of 1968 we had accumulated almost $64,000, and when 1969 closed, we had $81,000 on hand. In the meantime the church employed Charles McMullan & Associates of Jackson to design the new building. Also, in 1969 a new location was found in east Union on Jackson Road at a cost of $6,000 which will give ample room for the new building and off-street parking space. At the end of 1970 $99,000 had been raised, and the architect was instructed to prepare the plans and specifications for bids in the spring of 1971. The contract was let in April with completion scheduled for December 1971.

The new sanctuary will seat 200 people, and the educational building will have 10 class rooms, a fellowship hall, a kitchen and a pastor's study and session room. We thank God for the plans for the new building and the construction now taking place. Will you join us in praising and thanking God for His gracious provisions to our church?

04/22/2006 10:43:18 PM