Located in Blackfork, Lawrence County, Ohio, Union Baptist Church has made history as the oldest active Black church in Ohio. Formed in October 1819, the church members originally met in their homes.
By 1879, the congregation had grown large enough they were able to build a actual church building. Built near the ridge onKeels Road, the structure was constructed entirely from logs.The logs being used had once been part of the old SoundersChurch before being used for Union Baptist Church.
Baptisms was regularly performed and a major part of the congregations faith. When church services were being held in the one room log cabin building, the baptisms were held in the nearby Poke Patch Creek. As time passed, the congregation continued to grow. Soon anew church was needed.
In 1919, a new wood framed church was constructed on property originally owned by John Keel. The building was dedicated on November 9, 1919. On October 20, 2019, Union Baptist Church celebrated its200th Anniversary.