Our History

For over a century, Union Baptist Church has stood as a testimony to the grace of God and the commitment of its people.  The year was 1897 in the month of April that Union Baptist Church had its genesis.  John E. Robinson, Ed Hockaday and John Thomas met for the purpose of organizing a Sunday School for the families living in North Durham.  Through the aid of Dr. Aaron Moore, a member of White Rock Baptist Church, literature was secured to assist the founders in their efforts.  From these humble beginnings, Union Baptist Church developed.  With a functioning Sunday School in place, the founders sought a regular meeting place.  They were able to rent a small log cabin on Corporation Street.  Mr. Sam McCowan, the principal and a teacher at East End Elementary School, was selected as the first superintendent for the Sunday School.

Sunday School services were so inspiring and uplifting that a desire to hear the Word preached developed.  Once again, Robinson, Hockaday and Thomas sought assistance from officers of an established church.  This time they were assisted by Deacons George Mebane and Elijah Carrington of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in organizing the first deacon board.  The first board consisted of Joe Wilson, Clem Thaxton, Joe Suitt, John Grissom, Charlie Lyons and Rufus Tapp.  Reverend Paul Yancey, pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, became the first pastor of North Durham Baptist Church, budgeting his time between the two churches.  Services were held one Sunday per month at the newly organized church.

Read more: Our History

Global Scholars Academy

A founding principle of our country contends that talent, not circumstance, should determine destiny. However, for many children who live in challenging urban environments the struggles begin early, the obstacles are significant and, over time, the gaps in academic performance widen dramatically.

Global Scholars Academy, formally Union Independent School, strives to create greater developmental equity for Durham youth who represent the greatest risks of academic failure due to significant social, economic, and educational challenges – individually and in their family, neighborhood, and community environments. Our intervention model is an extended day and extended school year interdisciplinary curriculum designed to develop “hard” and “soft” skills required to thrive and prosper in the highly volatile global economy of the 21st century, a staff of National Board Certified Teachers and other highly qualified support staff, technological innovations in learning that accelerate remediation and academic advancement, and sustained parent/caregiver involvement in the education process. The idea for Global Scholars Academy began with Union Baptist Church Pastor, Dr.  Kenneth Hammond as part of a larger church effort to revitalize the 172-block area known as “Northeast-Central Durham.”

Global Scholars Academy is a K-8 public school, currently serving students in grades K-4 offering:

• Free tuition and open to all North Carolina students
• New fully equipped building as of August 2009

"Sister" Congregations

Charles Barnes - Morehead Avenue Baptist, Durham, North Carolina

Thomas Banister, III - Temple Memorial Baptist, High Point, North Carolina

Willie O. Glenn - Zion Level Baptist, Roxboro, North Carolina

Stephen A.G. Howard - Mount Carmel Baptist, Richmond, Virginia

Lei Knight -  Manna Community Fellowship, Fayetteville, North Carolina

James M. Lawson -  Ilong Baptist, Oxford, North Carolina

Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas - First Chronicles Baptist, Durham, North Carolina

Silas Mayfield - Rhema Baptist,  Durham, North Carolina

Charles Murrill, Sr. - Old Liberty Baptist,  Youngsville, North Carolina

Prince R. Rivers -  United Metropolitan Baptist, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

John Thorpe - Light Of The World Ministry, Durham, North Carolina

Diaconate Ministry