A Mississippi Genealogy & History Collection
Union Church, located in southwestern Jefferson County, Mississippi, is one of the oldest continuously settled communities in the region, known for its remarkably enduring Presbyterian heritage, early Scottish-Irish settlement patterns, and its role as a crossroads community throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its story begins in the early 1800s, when families of predominantly Scotch-Irish descent migrated into the Natchez District from the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee, seeking fertile farmland and a stable frontier community. By around 1805–1810, small clusters of homesteads began to appear in the area that would become Union Church.
Founding of the Community and Its Name
The name “Union Church” arose from the early settlers’ desire to create a shared house of worship—one that united various Protestant denominations before separate congregations could be organized. This “union” of faith traditions reflected the practical frontier spirit of the time, where communities pooled resources to construct a single meetinghouse for preaching, civic discussions, and communal gatherings.
Although several denominations used this early structure, the Presbyterians became the predominant group, and Union Church eventually became closely identified with one of the oldest Presbyterian congregations in Mississippi.
Union Church Presbyterian Church
The Union Church Presbyterian Church, formally organized in 1817, stands as one of the oldest Presbyterian bodies in the state. Early ministers such as Rev. Joseph Bullen and Rev. Joseph Hardin helped establish a strong religious foundation, and the congregation soon constructed a permanent sanctuary. The present church building, completed in 1852, is a cherished landmark—simple and elegant in design, with the classic architectural features common in mid-19th-century Mississippi country churches.
The church grounds include a prominent cemetery where pioneers, Civil War veterans, enslaved and freed African Americans, and generations of Jefferson County families are buried. Many early surnames—such as McArn, Buie, McMillan, Torrey, Lamkin, McFadden, and countless others—appear repeatedly in the headstones and in the community’s historical records.
Union Church’s Presbyterian congregation remained remarkably active throughout the 19th century, supporting education, missionary efforts, and local charity work. It also provided one of the earliest religious schools in the area, reinforcing the community’s longstanding emphasis on literacy and classical learning.
Community Life in the 1800s
By the mid-19th century, Union Church had become a modest but thriving rural center. Small stores, gristmills, blacksmith shops, and cotton gins dotted the surrounding countryside. The area’s economy heavily depended on cotton farming, livestock, and timber—like much of Jefferson County during this period.
Union Church During the Civil War
The Civil War deeply affected the region. Many local men served in Confederate units, particularly those recruited in Jefferson and neighboring counties. The community experienced shortages, loss of manpower, and economic disruption, but it survived the war years without major physical destruction.
After the war, Union Church slowly rebuilt. The Presbyterian church, which had remained a stabilizing force during the conflict, continued to provide leadership and structure during the difficult Reconstruction years.
Late 19th and Early 20th Century Development
From the 1880s into the early 1900s, Union Church evolved as a regional agricultural hub. A post office was established, schools operated for white and African American children, and several general stores served the scattered population. Although never large, the community remained influential in Jefferson County because of its strong institutions and interconnected family networks.
The advent of improved roads and automobiles in the early 20th century made it easier for residents to travel to larger towns such as Fayette, Brookhaven, and Natchez. This gradually reduced the need for a large commercial center within Union Church, and many local businesses eventually closed. Still, the community remained active, anchored by its church, farms, and schools.
Architecture and Historic Preservation
The Union Church Presbyterian Church and its cemetery are recognized today as historically significant landmarks. The church building—nearly unchanged since the 1850s—represents one of Mississippi’s finest surviving examples of early rural Presbyterian architecture. The surrounding cemetery includes more than two centuries of burials, making it a valuable genealogical resource.
Several historic homes and farmsteads also survive in the vicinity, some dating back to the antebellum period. Their architectural styles and construction methods reflect the Scottish-Irish roots of the community, as well as the craftsmanship of enslaved laborers who helped build many early structures.
Union Church Today
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Union Church has remained a quiet, unincorporated rural community, with deep connections to its heritage. Descendants of many original settlers still live in the area, and the Presbyterian church continues to hold regular services—maintaining an unbroken tradition more than 200 years old.
The beauty of the surrounding countryside, the historic cemetery, and the enduring presence of the church make Union Church an important cultural and genealogical site within Jefferson County. Though small in population, its legacy looms large, representing one of the most continuous and well-preserved pioneer communities in Mississippi.
Union Church is at the intersection of MS Hwy 28 and MS Hwy 550 about 18 miles east of Fayette and 26 miles southwest of Hazlehurst.
