The 153rd Church Anniversary service was a milestone, an ode to faith, fortitude, and an unshakable heritage. Pastor Derek L. Tucker recounted the sacrifices and triumphs that created the sacred Union Missionary Baptist Church. A cornerstone of strength in the community of Mobile, this venerable Church sits prominently on the African-American Heritage Trail, an example of hope and tenacity.
With over a century and a half of worship, activism, and unity, Union Missionary Baptist has continues to inspire, ensuring its heritage of faith and fortitude shall last many years to come.
Deep Historical Roots – A Church Born from Freedom
February marks Black History Month. Remembering those historical individuals who have influenced our society also include individuals from Mobile, Alabama. Among them, some of the most notable are KuPollee and Rose Allen and Cudjoe “Kazoola” Lewis, one of the last known living survivors of the last slave vessel, the Clotilda that illegally brought Africans from Africa to the United States. The vessel, operated secretly by William Foster and paid for by Timothy Meaher, was intentionally burned so their wrongdoing would remain unknown. Lewis, alongside other survivors, settled in Plateau, Alabama, today known as Africatown, creating an unshakable community.
Union Missionary Baptist Church, established between the 1800s and the 1950s by these stolen Africans, has stood as a historical, spiritual cornerstone. Both the building and the heritage are as rich as the Clotilda story. Among these committed believers, one, named Cudjoe “Kazoola” Lewis, served as sexton. His monument in front of the Church signifies the unshakable strength of faith-religion, perseverance, and hope, so that the story of the Africatown people shall never disappear.
Union Missionary Baptist Church’s 153-year history speaks of persistence, faith, and commitment. Starting in Africatown, it persevered through the Civil Rights Movement and still positively impacts the community today.
It’s legacy still empowers, inspires, and lifts generations through education, community service, and religion. Steeled by its historical past, it moves forward steadfastly, ensuring its heritage of strength, unity, and commitment endures many years to come.
