HISTORY
THE HISTORY OF SOUTH UNION BAPTIST CHURCH
South Union Baptist Church was organized July 20, 1860 by the Rev. James M. Lillard with sixty-five members, sixty of whom were white and five members black. The first meetings were held in Old Hickory school house which was about one mile Northeast of the present site of the church. The name “South Union” was chosen because the church was located in the South part of Union township in Lewis County.
In 1871 the congregation erected a building near the schoolhouse where they had been worshipping across the road to the east, the older part of the cemetery. The log building was designed and furnished as most churches of the time. It consisted of a large room with pews occupying the center section on either side of which was an aisle separating it from a row of short pews on the outside. These extended to near the center of each side where there was a large stove. The pulpit was a platform at the front and center of the room, flanked on either side by several short pews, known as the “amen corners”. South Union Church was more fortunate than many rural churches, in that it had an organ which was placed front and center next to the pulpit. In the winter each group of new arrivals gathered around the stove until they were warm, then moved on to their seats so other newcomers could warm themselves. There was good attendance. The people brought their large families in wagons or on horseback from four or five miles in each direction. To accommodate the ladies who rode “sidesaddle” there was a Stile Block which was a narrow platform reached by three or four steps and placed near the hitchracks which enabled the ladies to get off and on their horses with ease.
Until 1872 when the railroad was completed there had not been a town proper here, only the church, school and cemetery northeast and the mills on the Fabius to the northwest with a few scattered houses and a store. With the coming of the railroad the town grew rapidly. When it was decided to build a new church building sentiment was sharply divided as to whether it should be built at the same location or near the center of town. It was decided to build the new church in Maywood and in 1893 the present building was erected at a cost of $3,283 on land given by W.D. Barr. A few years later the attractive original belfry was severely damaged in a storm and was replaced by the present one from which the bell still rings to call everyone to worship.
South Union is the only church Maywood has ever had and it has extended a welcome to all in the community. Many people moving here from localities where they have been members of other denominations have placed their membership here, while some though not officially members, have taken an active part in the work and support of this church and consider it their church home.
We continue to have regular worship services each Sunday. We participate in the Hymn Sing held monthly amongst local churches. We have had members serve on Boards for the Baptist Association, our State Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. No doubt each one of you who has been a part of South Union Church has a special memory. Revival meetings, the day when you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior and were baptized, Christmas programs, Easter services, weddings, funerals of loved ones, baccalaureate sermons, ordination of Deacons and Pastors, Sunday School picnics and carry-in dinners all form a part of the history of South Union Baptist Church.
