Union African Methodist Episcopal Church has been in existence for one hundred years prior to 1908; there were two African Methodist Episcopal churches in the community, Shiloh and Amosville. Shiloh was located approximately one-half mile west of the present Union African Methodist Episcopal Church site and Amosville was located east of Union in Winfield.

 

In 1907, church officials envisioned one church for the community and purchased the property where Union African Methodist Episcopal Church is presently located. On February 25,1908, the property was purchased from Zip and Amanda Allen. Henry Lawrence Jenkins was recorded as the trustee and the document transferring title was notarized by P.H. Belvin and recorded in the county records.

 

The first building occupied by Union African Methodist Episcopal Church members was a wooden structure built in 1910 while The Reverend G.C. Bledsoe was pastor under the leadership of Bishop Moses B. Slater. Later a parsonage was erected, but it no longer exists. The pioneer families worshipping in the first structure include the Allen, Belvin, Bowles, Coles, Dais, Jenkins, Smith, and Williams’ family.

 

Union African Methodist Episcopal Church has a rich heritage producing three distinguished persons of cloth: The Reverends Enondrus S. Belvin I, Abraham Bowles and Wilbert Phillip Jenkins. The latter two became presiding elders in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Reverend Rumulous Smith was a local preacher at Union African Methodist Episcopal Church.

 

After fifty-four years and numerous repairs, the wooden structure became dilapidated and the need arose for a new church. In 1962, the second structure was erected during the pastorate of The Reverend Solomon C. Waterford and W.F. Ball. The Reverends Wilbert Phillip Jenkins and Theodore Merrick built the second structure.

 

From the late thirties to the late sixties the women of the church met regularly in their respective homes for Bible study, sharing and fellowship. They were women of the missionary society. During this timeframe, the Allen Christian Fellowship League was an integral part of church life. The recreational outings consisted of baseball games and picnics allowing members another opportunity for Christian fellowship. Many District Conferences, Christian Education Sessions (Sunday School Conventions), and Homecomings were held.  Both clergy and laity throughout the State of Florida came to worship with Union. Bishops Grant and Tookes visited often for worship and fellowship.

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In 1999, it was discovered that the church building was separating from the foundation. Rather than make extensive costly repairs, it was decided during the pastorate of The Reverend Maureen P. Williamson to erect a new sanctuary.  Reverend Williamson led and supported the congregation in raising funds for the construction of the current edifice.

 

The third structure was built during the pastorate of The Reverend Dr. Alesia Scott-Ford. The Right Reverend Bishop John Hurst Adams was the presiding prelate and The Reverend Dr. A.J. Reddick was the presiding elder. The church was dedicated on May 19, 2002.

 

Union African Methodist Episcopal Church current structure is the result of many prayers and sacrifices. Through the years, the members of Union have rejoiced together in happy times, they have sympathized, and consoled one another in times of sorrow and disappointments.

 

Union African Methodist Episcopal Church stands as a beacon of light in the community, a place of refuge for the despairing, encouragement for the hopeless, and a harbor for the unsaved under the pastorate of The Reverend Dr. Sha'Leda A. Mirra and  The Right Reverend Frank Madison Reid III is the presiding prelate and The Reverend Elizabeth Yates is the presiding elder. The following ministries, organizations, departments, and publications are an integral part of the church: Stewards, Stewardess. Trustees, Laity, Class Leaders, Church School, Bible Study, Sons of Allen, Acolyte’s, Women Missionary Society, Young People Department, Marriage Ministry, Usher Ministry, Mass Choir, New Members Orientation Class, Culinary, Van Ministry, Praise Dance Ministry, Seeds for Success Tutorial, Community Outreach Ministry, Monthly Newsletter, HIV/AID Ministry, and etc.

 

 We pause at this time to recognize the following former pastors and associates, for their dedication and commitment to Union African Methodist Episcopal Church: Rev. G.C. Bledsoe, Rev. Enondrus S. Belvin I, Rev. Abraham Bowles, Rev. Wilbert P. Jenkins, Rev. Rumulous Smith, Rev. Solomon C. Waterford, Rev. W.F. Ball, Rev. Nathaniel Brown, Rev. Freddie Bell, Rev. Vernon Randall, Rev. Irvin Floyd, Rev. Leroy Young, Rev. R.A. Anderson, Rev. L.A. Ford, Rev. Russell Wright, Rev. E. Fisher, Rev. Dailey, Rev. Charles Graham, Rev. Newton, Rev. Maureen P. Williamson, Rev. Dr. Alesia Scott-Ford, Rev. Fredrick Wallace, III, Rev. Gary C. DeSue, Sr., Rev. Ronald G. Williams.

 

We thank God for the present angel of the house; Pastor Sha’Leda Mirra. She was called by God to be intentional about Ministry.

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"Be afraid to die until you have done something good for humanity.

Love one another for there is a destiny that makes us brothers.

None goes his way alone.

All that we send into the lives of others come back into our own."