History
1909 - Present
Union Grove Baptist Church was first formed as a congregation in the year of 1909, in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Church services were held in a founding member’s home, until land was purchased on Ashe Street. The church building was erected on the site in 1918, under the leadership of Reverend King Smith. Between the years of 1918 and 1944, the church weathered the storms of changing Pastors. Some of the former Pastors were: Reverend Mack Williams, Reverend Anderson, Reverend Frank Dawkins, Reverend E. G. Rice, Reverend E. G. Roberts, Reverend L. C. Ivey, Reverend Johnson, Reverend T. J. Davis, and Reverend M. D. Machen. All were faithful leaders and have since gone on to be with the Lord.
Reverend J. H. Suber became Pastor in 1944. He directed its growth in a campaign to construct a new building on the same site. Under his guidance the congregation continued to grow. He organized the Gospel Choir and the Brotherhood of Hymn. Reverend Suber served the congregation faithfully until his passing, April 3, 1962. This was truly a great loss to the congregation and the community.
In August of 1962, Reverend Q. E. Owens was called to pastor Union Grove. Under his guidance, the church continued to grow. A new era began in March 1974. We had to face the heart breaking thought of leaving Union Grove on Ashe Street, because of urban renewal. The church was sold and services were held for the last time on the second Sunday in March 1974. The crisis did not falter our faith. We moved our services to the Mud Creek Baptist Association Assembly Hall, located on Mine Gap Road in East Flat Rock, North Carolina. Church members and community members worked faithfully together and prayed that we would soon have our beloved Union Grove back. Under the leadership of Pastor Q. E. Owners, Deacons, Trustees, members and friends, in February 1975, the new Union Grove Sanctuary was completed. In 1984, new classrooms were added, which were used for Sunday school and educational instruction.
Due to ill health, Pastor Owens retired and became Pastor Emeritus until his passing on June 2, 2001. The Reverend Billy T. Waters, who served as Assistant Pastor was called to lead. He was installed on February 27, 2000. Under his leadership Union Grove has greatly increased its membership. The mortgage on the educational wing was burned, church debts paid in full, new P.A. system installed, and a tape ministry started for the sick and shut in. New carpet, padded pews, new sanctuary windows were installed, as well as new lights. A church van was purchased to ensure transportation for those desiring to worship, but had no means of transportation and the Beacon Child Developmental Center opened.
On October 15, 2005 we held the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Family Life Center and on September 16, 2006, Pastor B. T. Waters and the Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church Family dedicated the building and unveiled the cornerstone with the God inspired inscription, “The Garden of Eden.”
We at Union Grove are truly delighting ourselves in the Lord. We are continually endeavoring to submit ourselves as yielding vessels for the Lord. Through the spirit of God we work to reveal God’s plan, purpose and pursuits, through the instruction of God’s anointed, Pastor Billy T. Waters.