One survey states that this church building dates to 1896, but the congregation may be older.
There is a very large cemetery adjacent to the church. A modern structure across the highway now serves the congregation.
Union Primitive Baptist Church, 1896, Madison County
Usually, when there is a Primitive Baptist and a “regular” Baptist church with the same names, it indictaed they were originally one congregation, which split over the “new innovations” between 1830 and 1850. The new innovations were mission societies, instruments in church, sunday schools, and paid preachers. Wish I could fine someone who knew the history, but as a Baptist historian of 40 yrs, I am 99.9% sure the origins of both congregation share a single starting point. Wonder if the old pews, pulpit etc are still in the Primitive Baptist church, would love to photograph that.
This building belonged to the Union Baptist Primitive Congregation , and is totally separate from the Union Baptist Church ( that is currently across the road ) that was established in 1848, and is part of the Southern Baptist denomination . Several years ago the last surviving member of the primitive congregation gave the deed to the Madison Co. Historical group, and they have tried to stabilize the building .
Thanks for the information. I will update accordingly.
beautiful shots