On a quiet block of San Francisco's Western Addition neighborhood, First Union Missionary Baptist Church anchors the corner of Webster Street, where the congregation has gathered since December 19, 1976. The church's roots, however, run deeper than its brick edifice. First Union was organized on March 18, 1944, and the motto "Empowering the Body of Christ in Unity" has guided more than eight decades of preaching, teaching, and outreach.
From a Storefront on O'Farrell to Webster Street
First Union was organized under Pastor P.S. Osborne of Macedonia Baptist Church as moderator and Pastor M.L. Price of Galveston, Texas as acting secretary. The founder and first pastor was Nathaniel N. Reason, called to lead a small flock of seven members who met in a storefront at 1643 O'Farrell Street. Originally named "First Baptist Church," the new congregation had to choose another name when they learned another church in the city already carried it. Sister Leola Washington suggested adding "Union" to set them apart, and First Union Missionary Baptist Church was born.
With $47.50 and a dream, the church started a building fund with Sister Gussie Twyman (Vann) as its first treasurer. On December 23, 1946, the congregation purchased a building at 2398 Geary Boulevard. With two thousand members and a ten-year mortgage, the debt was paid off in just seven years and seven months. The mortgage was burned on July 19, 1953.
The Women's Auxiliary later launched another building fund with $300, hoping for a more modern sanctuary with classrooms and parking. Before that dream could be realized, Pastor Reason was called home on June 12, 1968. Deacon Willie B. Smith led the congregation during the transition, and on February 24, 1969, Pastor Henry L. Davis, Sr. became the second pastor. Groundbreaking for the new church came on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1976, and the congregation moved into the present edifice at 1001 Webster Street on December 19, 1976. That mortgage was burned in 1985 after just six years. Classrooms followed, and an apartment building was purchased under Pastor Davis's leadership. He served until May 9, 1984.
Seven Pastors and the Deacons Who Held the Line
After Pastor Davis Sr.'s passing, Deacon Smith once again kept the church steady. On March 18, 1985, the church elected Henry L. Davis, Jr. as its third pastor; he served until July 2000. Deacon George Booth led the congregation as general chairman during the next pastoral search. On January 21, 2002, DeWayne A. Byrdsong became the fourth pastor and served through December 30, 2009, after which Deacon Booth again stepped in. D.E.C. Matthews was elected the fifth pastor on October 10, 2011, and served until December 2013. Dr. Larry Jetton, Jr. was elected on June 27, 2016, installed on September 11, 2016, and served until he was called home on August 14, 2018.
On July 25, 2021, Henry Dillihant III was elected as pastor and served until September 2025. Today, Deacon Board Chairman Marshal Burgest leads the congregation, "Standing in the Gap" between pastors, and the church gives thanks for what it describes as an eighty-two-year history.
Sunday School at Nine, Morning Worship at Ten-Thirty
Sunday morning begins with Sunday School from 9 to 10 a.m., followed by Morning Worship at 10:30 a.m. The order reflects the missionary Baptist heritage of the church, with prayer, scripture reading, and preaching at the center of each gathering. Worshipers gather in person at 1001 Webster Street. The service is also carried on Facebook Live for those at home.
Brotherhood, Bible Study, and Cooperative Prayer
Midweek teaching and fellowship are built around several regular rhythms. Brotherhood, the men's ministry, meets on Tuesday evenings; participants call in at 5:45 p.m. and the meeting begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday is given over to Bible Study, with attendees joining at 11:45 a.m. for a noon session. On the third Wednesday of each month, the church gathers for Cooperative Prayer at noon. All three are accessible by Zoom and by conference call, so members across the Bay Area and beyond can take part.
Worshiping by Phone, Zoom, and Facebook
First Union has long made room for members and friends who cannot attend in person. Sunday services are broadcast on Facebook Live, a Zoom room is open for those who prefer video, and a conference call line accommodates worshipers dialing in by phone. Members are asked to mute their phones upon joining and to refrain from speaking once the service has begun, so that the flow of worship is not interrupted. The same virtual doors are open for Brotherhood, Bible Study, and Cooperative Prayer.
Reaching Out and Giving Back
The Outreach Ministry regularly takes the church into the surrounding neighborhood for community give-aways, and the Usher Ministry hosts an annual Usher's Day each fall. The Women's Auxiliary remains part of the congregation's life, as it has been since the early years.
The church's mission statement, drawn from Mark 16:15-16 and Ephesians 4:5, reads: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature ... He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. One Lord, one faith, one baptism." A prayer and sick list carries members through difficult seasons, anchored by Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Gifts can be made in person at the church, by telephone at (415) 563-3532, or online through Zelle at 415-533-7892.
Eighty-Two Years and Counting
After more than eight decades and seven pastors, First Union Missionary Baptist Church continues to gather at 1001 Webster Street. The congregation that paid off two mortgages in record time, welcomed its first members from a storefront on O'Farrell, and adapted its ministry to reach worshipers through Zoom, Facebook, and conference calls remains rooted in the same missionary Baptist soil it was planted in. Its motto, "Empowering the Body of Christ in Unity," still guides the work ahead.