The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair

The following is a brief history of Union Baptist Church as researched from library articles and prior church history articles. Union Baptist Church of Montclair, New Jersey had its beginnings in February 1887, when thirty local residents, all members of the Baptist faith, formed their own religious organization and named themselves the Baptist Mission.Prior to that time they had worshiped at the St. Mark's Methodist Church, one of the oldest churches in Montclair, New Jersey. For the next two years the Baptist Missionworshiped at several different locations within town. The Reverend Jack Harris ( from February 1887 May 1889 ) served as the first pastor of this small group, while simultaneously pastoring at the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Orange, New Jersey. His spiritual leadership was of great value in directing the following accomplishments: Consolidated various groups of the First Church better known as the First Baptist Church in Montclair, that was later changed to its present name, Union Baptist, the first The Reverend William Perry ( from July 1889 1899 ). The membership was 46 persons when he assumed the pastoral duties. Rev. Perry was born before the Emancipation Proclamation, the son of slave parents. He was well educated due to his parents' determination that he not be untrained. His strong leadership led to the following accomplishments: