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View Union Chapel Church History Chronicles “Planting the Seeds – Nurturing the Roots” – October 1933 On October 4, 1933, Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church was organized in the home of Reverend O. D Boone and wife Lucy Boone on Blue Spring Road in Huntsville, Alabama. The name “Union Chapel” was chosen due to the unity exemplified by the organizers. Reverend Boone served as the first Pastor. Temporary worship services were held in locations on Winston, Compress, Howard, and Lowe Streets, and Ward Avenue. On October 24, 1946, the congregation acquired land to build a permanent location in “The Grove” at 530 Gardner Street. The congregation held worship services in the first completed phase of the building which was the basement. Reverend Boone served the congregation faithfully until his death on October 9, 1957.
1982 April 11th: a new educational complex was added to the 100
“Sowing New Seeds, Cultivating, Nourishing, and Harvesting” – September 1989 On July 2, 1989, O. Wendell Davis and wife Dora Davis accepted the call to serve as the third Pastor of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Installation Ceremony was held on September 17, 1989. The church membership continued to grow under the leadership of Pastor Davis. A 7:45 Morning Worship Service was added. Reverend Lacy remained as Pastor Emeritus until his death on March 21, 1992. On April 14, 1993 the Church acquired one hundred fifty acres of land at 315 Winchester Road from the family of Frank Ellis Strong, a former slave. In 1995, due to the tremendous growth in the worship attendance, the 7:45 and 10:45 Worship Services were moved from the main Sanctuary to the gymnasium in the newly expanded Educational Complex. In December 1998 the Union Chapel Institute of Biblical Studies was founded by Pastor Davis as a vision to train men and women for the work of the church. On January 6, 2002, the first service was conducted in the Sanctuary at 315 Winchester Road. Dedication Services for the new edifice was held on February 17, 2002. Because of the spiritual and physical needs of the members the church facilities continued to grow. On September 26, 2004 a state of the art building and playground was dedicated for the Child Development Center to move from 100 Orange Drive. On February 13, 2005, Dedication Service was held for a Family Life Center. This center included a gymnasium, indoor walking track, equipped exercise rooms, classrooms and a commercial kitchen. On August 9, 2006 the newly formed Union Chapel Christian Academy opened for students from Kindergarten to sixth grades in the Family Life Center. On February 10, 2008 dedication was held for additional space to the Family Life Center. This included classrooms, offices, kitchen/lunchroom and a playground. The additional space became the primary location for the Union Chapel Christian Academy. The Center was named the Charles L. Ray Family Life Center on May 17, 2011. Additional expansions at the 315 Winchester Road campus include a Picnic Pavilion, Parking Pavilion for Church Vehicles, Tennis/Basketball Court, Soccer/Softball Field and a Vegetable Garden Plot. The Sanctuary Complex at 100 Orange Drive is presently being used for Weekly Sunday Worship Services – “Gospel Impact”. The Educational Complex is used by the Boy Scouts, Gospel Impact Worshippers, and the Caring and Sharing Ministry. On a hot August 24, 2023 day at 6:00 p.m., a Ceremony was held in “The Grove” to commemorate the installation of a Historical Marker to honor the journey of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. The marker is located at the corner of Lowe Avenue SW & Dr. Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard. In March 2024, a duplicate marker was placed on the campus at 315 Winchester Road. “Moving Forward On A Progressive Journey Where Everybody Is Somebody And Jesus Christ is Head”
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