What is the United Baptist?

If you are unsure of the history of the United Baptists, it was the union of the Regular Baptists and Separate Baptists in the late 1780s to 1800s, and includes those churches that have continued in the same faith.  There are many different Baptist churches today that use the name "United", but in order to qualify, they must fall under the historical guidelines of the United Baptists.

Both Kentucky and Virginia established a general union of the United Baptists.  Virginia was the first state to officially form a union in 1787 while Kentucky's union was finalized in 1801. Although North Carolina started uniting Regular and Separate Baptists as early as Aug. 1777, they didn't take the name "United" upon their churches until the Kehukee Association did in 1788.

"To prevent the Confession of Faith from usurping a tyrannical power over the consciences of any, we do not mean that every person is bound to the strict observance of every thing therein contained; yet that it holds forth the essential truths of the gospel, and that the doctrine of salvation by Christ, and free and unmerited grace alone ought to be believed by every Christian, and maintained by every minister of the gospel. Upon these terms we are united and desire hereafter that the name of Regular and Separate be buried in oblivion, and that from henceforth we shall be known by the name of the UNITED BAPTIST CHURCHES IN VIRGINIA."

This is the first printed statement that declares the union between Regular and Separate Baptists has become, in fact, United Baptist. The Virginia Confession of Faith has been held to by many associations. In the first line of the statement, you'll notice that there was a "conflict" with the confession of faith. This conflict kept the two denominations from joining together earlier. The Separate Baptists did not want a confession or articles of faith ruling over them.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

Look at the name of the church.  The "Original" United Baptists went by "United Baptist Church of Christ", which some still do. There are also some that go by "United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ".

These United Baptists are found in the United States only, not in Canada nor in any other country. The United Baptists are generally found in KY, WV, TN OH, IN, MO, and some surrounding states. United Baptists share common ground with and are closer to Old Regular Baptists, Primitive Baptists, and Old Time Missionary Baptists* in faith and practice than with any other Baptist affiliation.

* - There are other Baptists that fall in line with "Old Baptists" and are not omitted on purpose.

Name Variations

You will find in this research that I've included variations of United Baptists:

"Regular United, United Missionary, United Regular, United Baptists of the Primitive Faith and Order," etc

The distinctions carry with them the history of said association(s) and the stance(s) on certain beliefs, be it doctrine or missions. I still consider them a part of the United Baptist history.

Historical Notes

United Baptists of Virginia send a letter to George Washington

Washington's Response to the United Baptists of VA




Annual Meeting Times
This is a list of associations that post their annual meetings.

Church Locations and Service Times
Associational churches are listed under their association's name, and independents are listed under the "Independent" heading. Please visit these churches whenever you get the chance.

Sermons and Songs
I've added some sermons that I've transferred from tape to MP3 format. Also, there are links to sites where music can be downloaded.

Links

Guide to the William H. Tallmadge Baptist Hymnody Collection Southern Appalachian Archives
This site lists media (tapes, minutes, pictures, etc) that can be purchased based off of research on the old baptists denominations of Old Regular, Primitive, and United Baptists.

Digital Library of Appalachia
This digital library has quite a few songs (mainly lined-out songs in this search), ready for download in MP3 format. These recordings are based on the work done by William H. Tallmadge (the link previous to this one). Check it out.

Songs from the Indian Bottom Association of Old Regular Baptists

Some of the songs on this page are "lined-out".  This means a line of a song is sung first by a precentor and then repeated by the congregation.  Lining out songs is an old tradition, the oldest style of religious acapella singing in the United States.  This is what worship singing sounded like in the early United Baptist churches, and these songs are still sung today in some of them.

The Baptist Song Book
224 page song book of old and new songs. Compiled by Elder Bobby Scott, Sr of Sardis Association of Old Regular Baptists.

Circular Letters of Pleasant Valley
A weblog of circular letters written by ministers of the Pleasant Valley Baptist Association.

Sources:

A History of the Kentucky Baptists from 1769 to 1885, 2 Vols.
JH Spencer

Indiana Baptist History: 1798-1908
W.T. Stott

History of the Missouri Baptists
R.S. Douglass

A History of the Baptists in Missouri
Robert Samuel Duncan

History of Regular Baptist
Rufus Perrigan


A special thanks to:

Elder John Sparks from Old Zion Association
Elder Tony Clay from Old Bethlehem Association
Elder Robert Vaughn of TX, Baptist historian
Elder Robert Webb, Primitive Baptist Library
Bros. Brandon Cowles, Ryan Sego, and Darrell Waddell with their help on Green River Association
Elder C.J. Murray of Paint Union Association

Keep up the good work and I appreciate all your help.