Union Memorial United Methodist Church (Union Memorial UMC), located at 1141 Belt Ave. in St. Louis, will celebrate its 170th Anniversary on November 20 at 11 a.m. James Clark, vice president for Community Outreach at Better Family Life, will be the guest speaker.
The church was founded in 1846. Through the years, it has provided spiritual guidance and a level of leadership of the highest order. It is the oldest African-American United Methodist Church in Missouri and one of the four oldest African-American churches in the City of St. Louis.
The church has had 25 distinguished pastors during its evolution as a beacon of light for many people. One of its pastors was elevated to the episcopacy.Â
In its early days, several Union Memorial UMC members and local pastors, guided by the esteemed Reverend B.F. Abbott, had the privilege of starting five small gatherings that later became strong churches and are continuing as anchors in their communities. They are North Park UMC, Unity UMC (Webster Groves), Asbury UMC and Beloved Community UMC.
In addition to helping small groups to start their own ministries, the church went on to distinguish itself in other ways in providing Christian service. It has an important connection in the development of Africa University in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe. Later, Union’s clergy and laity were recipients of the 1998 Denman Award for Evangelism – winning souls for Christ. It established the Come Share Food Program that, to this day, continues to serve the neighborhood and community. Likewise, it established the Union Memorial Outreach Center in a school across the street from the church that was purchased from the St. Louis Board of Education.
In recent years, the church has implemented Breakfast and Lunch Ministries for the neighborhood and church members. In the mid-2000s, it sponsored three students in Mozambique as they pursued and completed seminary studies to become pastors in their homeland. Currently, two churches in Mozambique are being supported – one by Union’s congregation and one by an individual church member. Also, Union Memorial’s pastors have mentored several candidates for ministry, all of whom are now serving their own congregations and constituencies, in St. Louis and outside of St. Louis, with distinction.
The current pastor, Reverend Cheree Trent Mills, arrived in June 2016 and hit the ground running in guiding the establishment of several new youth, outreach, and wellness ministries. She is the first woman pastor to be assigned to this historic church. With exciting events and activities, she and church members are continuing the focus of making disciples for Christ.Â
Everyone is invited to attend the 170th celebration on November 20. For more information, or to obtain a copy of the full history, please contact the church at unionmemorialumc@sbcglobal.net.
Doris V. Harrington is church historian of Union Memorial United Methodist Church.
