A Brief History
"A loving heart sees the need and does what needs to be done."
~Matthew 25:35-40
During the year 1878, a small band of baptized believers in Christ desiring a place of worship, assembled under a bush harbor and organized what is now known as the Central Union Missionary Baptist Church. The record shows that the following persons made up the band of founders: Reverends Henry Felder, and George Jackson, Deacons Wilson Wood, Bob Robinson, and Major Felder. Immediately after organizing plans were made to build and consecrate a place of divine worship. They built a three-room wooden edifice on the northern end of Pine Street not far from the railroad tracks. The structure housed the sanctuary, pastor’s study, and a small multi-purpose room. Central Union has been an integral part of the Fort Valley community for nearly 146 years.
There have been a total of thirteen pastors in the history of the church. The first pastor was Reverend Ben Benjamin. In July 1948, Reverend Adam J. Shaw, our longest-tenured pastor, was called. He was a man of vision and a gospel preacher with strong determination and a willingness to serve the people. Under his leadership, the current sanctuary was built. It was dedicated on March 27, 1960. Reverend Shaw served for 31 years.
Rev. Harold Rawls, the 10th pastor was welcomed on Sunday, January 18, 1981. Under his leadership, 79 members were added. Mission in action was organized. Pastor's Aide Club was organized and the children's choir was revived as the Rawls's Angelic Voices. His last charge to the Prayer Band was to never stop praying and to keep Prayer Meeting alive. He then sang "I am a Soldier in the Army of the Lord". He passed on from labor to reward on October 31, 1982.
Dr. Jimmy L. Williams was called as our 11th pastor in 1983. Many new programs were started under his administration. A church parsonage was purchased and on August 15, 1987, a groundbreaking ceremony for a spacious fellowship hall was held, and soon after excavation began for additional Sunday School Classrooms, bathrooms, and a larger kitchen. Dr. Williams resigned on Sunday, June 25, 1995.
The Reverend William J. Perkins was installed as our 12th pastor on September 15, 1996. During Pastor Perkins's administration, the church continued to grow. Improvements to the physical property continued with the paving of the church’s parking lot and a new marquee was erected. The first newsletter, The CU Connector, was published in 1999.
The Reverend Dr. K. Daniel Dawsey was called in April 2001 as the 13th pastor of Central Union and was installed on September 22, 2001. Under his administration, God has taken a 146-year-old very traditional church and transformed her into a vibrant growing church with the ability to meet the needs of this present age without compromising the rich and effective history she has built in the community and throughout the state. Under Pastor Dawsey’s leadership, the church continued to progress spiritually and physically. The sanctuary and kitchen were renovated and seventy-two (72) acres of land were purchased for future development. Our first television ministry was initiated in July 2004 and the first web page followed in 2005. The present website made its premiere on January 1, 2023.
During Pastor Dawsey’s tenure, several hundred members were added and the annual giving increased significantly.
Note: Down through the years, many faithful men and women of God have been instrumental in the successful ministries of Central Union. They have served as Deacons, Deaconesses, Ministers, Choir Members, Ushers, Sunday School Teachers, and in so many other capacities.
