Union History 1901 - 2001
1901
The new century just begun, Lynchburg was quite a small town. The community that Union Chapel was located in was known as the ''Pettyjohn district." Horses and buggies were the principal means of travel. Mr. T. L. Wills, a member of First Christian Church in Lynchburg, and Mr. Charles Rickets and others of the community met and formed a church known as Union Chapel. The first church building was a one-room log cabin.1902
In one year the group had grown, and the log cabin was no longer adequate. A new one-room school building, which eventually housed seven grades, had been erected, and it was decided to hold all services there. The name was then changed from ''Union Chapel'' to ''Wills chapel's, in honor of Mr. Wills a leader in the project. Services were conducted in the school building for about two years, with assistance from ministers of the various Christian churches in the area - All services were irregular and uncertain.1904
At a meeting of a building committee held May 1 5, 1904 it was decided to build a new church building, to be located across the road from the school on land donated by Mr. Wills, who then served as Superintendent of the Sunday School at Wills Chapel.1906
About 1906, Bro. H.D. Coffey, who now made his home in Lynchburg, and who was frequently connected with establishing new churches in the area, was invited to direct the new building project. As soon as the building was ready, Brother Coffey began a revival which extended a week. It helped to increase the membership to 55. Upon completion of the building, the name was then changed from ''WilIs Chapel'' to ''Union Christian chapel.1901 - 1938
Services became more regular in the new building and held once or twice a month, usually in the afternoon, Various ministers from other Christian churches assisted. Sometimes, during the winter months Sunday School and church services were dispensed with for a month or so, due to conditions of the road.The Rev. John L. McKinney was one of the first pastors of the church. The men of the church helped build a nice log cabin for him, and he lived in the neighborhood. Services were then held morning and evening, twice a month, with Sunday School each Sunday. He had other churches out of the area which he helped supply.
1938
During the late thirties and until 1946 the church had preaching twice a month. Dr. G. C. Looney, Pastor of Madison Heights Christian Church, who was also an eye physician, and Dr. R. W. Wallace from First Christian Church, Lynchburg, were frequent with their services and other area ministers served when possible. The late Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wilson was one of the key members of the church, serving as a leader, clerk, and pianist for over 40 years. 1946
In 1946 the Lynchburg Christian Laymen's Club became interested in helping the church have full-time preaching. They agreed to underwrite a salary of $100 each month, but this assistance was not needed. Arrangements were made to have Mr. Irvin Mitchell, a teacher at Lynchburg College, to become the regular pastor. 1949
In September 1949, Dr. Fred Helsabeck, then Dean of Lynchburg College, was called as Pastor. He, with the assistance of college ministerial students, served very electively for five years. Students who assisted Dr. Helsabeck were Don Allen, Paul Shelton, Giles Lambert, Elwood Campbell, and Gene Lawhorne. Mr. Ernest Layne a layman at Euclid Christian Church, was chosen as music director. The church grew considerably, two new classrooms were added, children's program was started and missionary work grew. Membership increased from 60 to 95. Mr. Cecil Taylor assisted Dr. Helsabeck in 1953. 1954
During 1954-1968, Lynchburg College continued to supply the church with student pastors. A complete listing is not available, but a partial listing is as follows:John Whidden 1954 through Aug 1955
E. C. Redmon July 1955 – Dec 1955
Donald Cassisy Jan 1956 – Sept 1957
Larry Chambers Sept 1957- May 1958
Curtis Nunn May 1959 – Aug 1960
Allen G Manuel Jan 1961 – April 1963
L. Carlton Lyon June 1963 – July 1968
In addition, J. T. Watson served as interim Sept. 1958 - Apr. 1959, and in the early seventies Eugene Riley served as a supply pastor for a few months.
1958
In June 1958 the church had its first Homecoming. Since that time the church constantly dreamed of a new sanctuary. Perseverance, dedication, and faith finally reaped their reward, and in 1961 a new church was built at a cost of approximately $2 1,000, with a mortgage of $12,000. The Reuben S. Garrett family donated additional land for this. Allen Manuel was student pastor at that time. When the new sanctuary was erected the name was again changed from ''Union Christian Chapel'' to Union Christian Church.1963
Dedication services of the sanctuary were held in May 1963.
The longest period of service by any student pastor was that of L. Carlton Lyon. In December 1963, the church received a gift of $5,000 from a friend, Mr. S. C. Hurt, of Lynchburg. The gift enabled the church to pay off the mortgage. Mortgage burning and Homecoming service was held in June 1966.