About Us
Our Church History
In 1893, a group of God’s children organized the Galilee Baptist Church at Elizabeth and Moore Streets in Richmond, Virginia. Although the first years were difficult and trying, these consecrated Christian people did not give up. Reverends J.T. Carter, William A. Cooke and William Washington Christie served as pastors through 1900.
Challenge continued as the congregation was shaken by the destruction of the church by fire. Following two years of meeting at another site, the congregation agreed to unite with the Gospel Hill Baptist Church. This union marked the founding of First Union Baptist Church.
Reverend George D. Pinkney made many significant contributions to the early spiritual and organizational development of the church. In 1908, the congregation moved into a new building at the original site. A year later, Reverend Pinkney joined a group of the members by resigning and departing to organize St. Paul’s Baptist Church.
First Union called the dynamic and inspiring Reverend William Thomas to the pastorate immediately thereafter. Reverend Thomas reached many of his goals for structural and organizational advancements except his desire to build another church. He passed away in 1922 after serving as the first formal pastor of First Union Baptist Church.
First Union’s second pastor was Reverend J. E. Fountain. He brought to the church the wisdom of Christian training and divine influence. Dr. Fountain utilized his community development and outreach skills to affiliate First Union with the Baptist organizations and improve the local community for its citizens. He exercised outstanding leadership by implementing the plans that led to the construction of the brick church that stands today at Elizabeth and Moore Streets. God called him home in 1956.
In 1957, Reverend W. L. Henderson, Jr. came as pastor with a song of praise and a prayer of deliverance. He originated a number of church organizations and installed modern features to the church building. In 1981, Dr. Henderson led the members in a motorcade from the Moore Street site to the present location on Dill Road. Reverend Henderson brought about embellishments to the church properties while ensuring financial stability. Upon the passing of Reverend Henderson in 1994, the church began the search for its fourth pastor.
Reverend Selwyn Q. Bachus was installed on Sunday, October 8, 1995. He endeared himself as a great young preacher. During his pastorate, Reverend Bachus enhanced the church’s program by initiating a number of events and ministries. He will be remembered for his keen interest in the youth and for the measures he promoted to meet their needs. Reverend Bachus resigned in 2001.
In October 2002, the membership selected Dr. Henry Carter McNeill of North Carolina as the fifth formal pastor. Endowed with the Holy Spirit, he brought with him a powerful ministry and contributed immensely to the greater faith community. Gracious and capable in her own right, his wife, Reverend Y-Tusahe McNeill, stood with him to carry First Union to a higher level of stewardship and praise. They served the fellowship until September 2008.