ABOUT UNION BAPTIST CHURCH - KENILWORTH, NJ
Our History
In 1923, an intrepid group that refused to allow their past to dictate their future, ventured to establish a mission. It was in this year that a resolved group of twenty-seven devout Christians assembled on Monroe Avenue and 13th Street in Kenilworth and discovered that they all had something in common – a shared faith.
With this shared belief, they came together with the intention of praising their Lord and Savior, and with this intention, a mission was established.
With land and a burning desire for a permanent place of worship, the first organizational meeting was held by a few of the members that served at the capacity of Deacons and Trustees and the first structure of the congregation was completed in 1925 on land that was donated by members.
Enhancements were made to the building and a choir stand and kitchen were built as the need arose.
In 1958 Union Baptist Church was incorporated.
In 1965 the church building was destroyed by fire, and the congregation was forced to hold services elsewhere while it sought to make the necessary arrangements to reconstruct the original building. They met in a storefront owned by one of the Deacons and later the Union Trucking Company extended their hospitality by allowing the church to utilize its meeting room. The community at-large, members and friends came to the aid of the church and because of the tremendous outpour of support, the church began re-building in May of 1966. Special mention and thanks to the Kenilworth Rotary Club and Mr. Harold Snyder (of Snyder Construction Company and Snyder Foundation), friends of Union Baptist that made significant contributions to the church in the areas of fundraising and provision of services, that were of significant benefit to the church body. After 3 years, (1968) the building was completed and members and friends celebrated by marching from 14th Street to the new Church building singing and praising God for his bountiful blessings.
There were several pastors that led the congregation throughout the Church’s history, but in the middle of 1974 there became a vacancy leaving the church in search of a new pastor to provide adequate leadership for growth and stability. In the fall of 1975, the pulpit committee brought in Rev John H. Smith, Sr. as a candidate to lead the church and in 1976, he became the 13th Pastor of Union Baptist Church. His tenure lasted for 40 years and he made many notable contributions to both the church and community.
Towards the end of his tenure, Pastor Smith began to see the need to transition from the church towards retirement. While he could have simply transitioned out at any given time, Pastor Smith desired that the church not be at a loss for leadership at his retirement and prior to transition sought out worthwhile candidates to succeed him in leading the church for its next chapter. He successfully brought in two final candidates, and after a vote by the majority, Rev. James E. Moore, Jr. was installed as the 14th pastor of Union Baptist Church in May of 2015.
The church continues to work together diligently to preserve its wonderful heritage while preparing to propel to new levels in the coming years.
With the help of Almighty God and the prayers and support of church and community members at-large, Union Baptist Church continues to seek opportunities to serve, encourage and come to the spiritual and physical aid of those in the Kenilworth and surrounding areas. From its inception in 1923 to now, Union Baptist Church has been blessed and favored by God, and our prayer is that present and future generations continue to love and cherish our rich history, trust our God of ages and rely on His divine direction.
What We Believe
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and it is a perfect treasure of heavenly instructions (2 Timothy 3:16, 17), that it has God for its author, salvation its end (2 Timothy 3:15), and truth without any mixture of error for its matter (Proverbs 30:5, 6).
We believe that there is one and only one living and true God; an infinite, intelligent, Spirit whose name is Jehovah, the maker and supreme ruler of Heaven and earth (John 4:24; Psalm 83:18; 147:5).
We believe that man was created in holiness under the law of his maker (Genesis 1:27), but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state (Genesis 3:6-14).
We believe that the great gospel blessings which Christ (John 1:16, 17) secures to such as believe in Him is justified (Acts 13:39), that justification includes the pardon of sin (Romans 5:9), and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness (Romans 5:17).
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel, that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them with repentant heart and obedient faith (Romans 16:25, 26).
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again (John 3:3), that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind (2 Corinthians 5:17), that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:8).
Our Vision
TRANSFORMED LIFE.
TRANSFORMED CHURCH.
TRANSFORMED WORLD.
Our Values
Faith, Love, Service, and Community are at the heart of everything we do.
Union Baptist Church - Kenilworth, NJ
Copyright © 2026 | Powered by 
churchtrac
churchtrac