Used by Permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission
Submitted by : Gloria B. Mayfield
Coordinator: Dolores I. Bishop
In the middle of the 19th Century, most of our local people were farmers, and transportation was poor; people traveled either by wagon, horseback or walked. This being true, each church built in our community was made from boards carved by hand. This building stood for several years before it was burned. Another building was built and named “Burned Union”. White people in the area began to complain about the noises from the church in their neighborhood, so the church had to be relocated. At that time, land for a church building was a problem, An old citizen of the community, not a member of the church at the time, by the name of Early Choice, gave the church two acres of land to build on. This building was called Union Grove Baptist Church. It was built with twelve-inch planks.
In 1881, Brother Early Choice, who had become a member of the church, along with Brothers Nick Hill and Jenson Choice had the two acres deeded to the church, which is where we are today. The building was built on the west side close to the oak trees. This building remained until 1957. The building where we are today was built in 1957 under the leadership of Rev. W.J. Starr.
Some of the ministers ordained through Union Grove Baptist Church are: The Revs. C.C. Choice, I.S. Barron, Joe Hutchinson, Gabriel Hart, A. Whetstone, Tom Garland, Willie Hart, R. Sirls, G.C. Maples, and W.J. Starr. For many years, the following ministers served as pastors: The Revs. F. Black, D. Roberts, Tom Garland, Burt Pryor, Rev. Adams, Percy Stevenson, M. Gipson, W.A.I. McDonald, A. Whetstone, L.F. Thompson, J.W. Starr, Eugene Porter and our present pastor, Rev. Jessie Whitaker.
Some of the Deacons who served during this 115-year period were: Deacons Nick Hill, Jenson Choice, Early Choice, G. O’Quinn, George Barron, Jessie Hart, Jim Choice, M.C. Choice, J.D. Spencer, M.C. Barron, John A. Hill, Jenson Hutchison, M. Wilson, J.P, Starks, and presently Bros. Fred Choice, Alonzo Johnson and Jerry Freeny. Those serving as secretary of the church during this 115-year period were: Bros. Nick Hill, J.C. Choice, Alf Hill, Amos Barron, Sis. Nancy Spencer, Bros. J.P. Starks and Alonzo Johnson. A.L. Tatum is the present secretary.
Some of the pioneer family names making an impression on this church and community are: Choice, Hill, Hart, Barron, Martin, Johnson, Thompson, Spencer, Anderson, Whetstone, Hutchinson, O’Quinn, Moss, Maples, Moore, Maddox, White, Freeny, Alexander, Cooper, Starks, Starr and others. It has been said that Mother Zion Baptist Church in Henderson, Texas, is the Mother Church of Union Grove Baptist Church and Union Grove is the Mother Church of Lone Star Baptist Church and others.
The church still continues with ancestors of pioneer families. By: Ammie Lee Tatum