Church History

The roots of Wake Union Baptist Church began in 1789 under the leadership of Jacob Cocker and James Weathers, when the neighborhood comprised of four denominations formed a compact called, “The Council of the United Brethren.” This compact agreed to erect a shared house of worship on land donated by Colonel Sutherland, a prominent gentleman of his day. Awaiting its construction, Wake Union met in a school house from 1789-92 that existed about 500 yards north of its present structure. Following its completion, each denomination—the Baptists, the Methodists, the High Church (i.e., Episcopalians), and the Presbyterians—offered public worship services for one week each month in that order. By 1883, three denominations withdrew to form their own separate churches, leaving the meeting house to the Wake Union Baptists. 

In February of the following year, the Wake Forest Institute—later Wake Forest College, now called Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary—welcomed its first thirty students, situated about two miles from Wake Union. Its close proximity attracted professors and students alike for regular worship. The Institute’s student population exploded to seventy by the end of the summer, but only eighteen actually identified as Christian. Then, God made himself known as a revival swept across campus that August, leading to thirty-five students turning to Jesus for salvation. Two months later, Professor Wait baptized twenty-six of them, and twenty-three joined Wake Union.

In 1835, it was deemed wise to plant another church in the growing village of Wake Forest a little over a mile from Wake Union. Thus on August 30, 1835, fourteen members of Wake Union were sent to help found Wake Forest Baptist Church, comprising seventy members in total.

Wake Union has a rich history of collaboration with other churches and denominations in the area. Throughout the growing pains of our young country, the church has navigated many challenges, including various wars, the Great Depression, and recent anti-Christian movements. Despite these ups and downs over the years, Wake Union has consistently opened its heart and doors to share the love of Jesus with her members and the surrounding community.