Union Hill Church History
To learn more information about the Union Hill Cemetery, click here.
In 1838, a community gathered to construct a log church building on five acres of land. Named for the various trails used to reach it, the assembly called it Footpath Church. Later, the church was renamed Union Hill due to the "union" of counties on the church’s land.
185 years of ministry in Alpharetta
In the early 1840s, Union Hill united with the Hightower Baptist Association, and by 1860, the congregation reflected a racially integrated assembly of more than 140 people. The 1880s saw further growth, with the addition of a second wooden building. A brush arbor offered space for the newly founded Sunday School, which was organized by one female teacher appointed by the church membership.
A Large Arbor that stood on the grounds at Union Hill circa 1912-1913
By 1912, the church needed additional structures to accommodate large crowds traveling from miles around to attend summertime revivals. A large arbor, which was said to have seated 1,000 people, was constructed on the land. In this time, Mr. & Mrs. Bob Shirley donated an additional four acres of land to the church.
In 1945, the wooden buildings were replaced with the first brick structure, which included a full daylight basement and eleven Sunday School rooms. The project, built by Monroe Ellis and driven forward by the vision of M. Wright Shirley, cost approximately $11,000. The pastor at this time was Rev. Henry Warren and the membership totaled 375 people.
In the 1960s, a growing Young Married People’s Sunday School class inspired another building project: the addition of a wing to accommodate three Sunday School rooms, a social hall, a kitchen, and two restrooms. In 1985, another major renovation project boasted a second wing, remodeled sanctuary, baptistery, music room, nurseries, fellowship hall, kitchen, etc. The congregation continues to use these spaces on a weekly basis.
The beginning of a new era
In the Spring of 2023, Union Hill voted to merge with a two-year-old church plant, Hope Church Johns Creek, to become Hope Church Union Hill. Hope Church brings a congregation of over 150 members, many with young children, who fill the rooms and halls faithfully built by previous generations of Union Hill members. Hope Church Union Hill will continue using this storied plot of land to make and send disciples of Jesus Christ in our community and beyond.