In the early part of the century in the States, most all Baptists were spoken of as 'United Baptists'
J.H.Grime - History of the Middle Tennessee Baptists (1902)
Hello and welcome to the United Baptist research website.
This site is dedicated to the study of the United Baptist movement, and
its impact on our world throughout history. The website may look a
little different than a few years ago, but most of the content is still
the same. Take a look around and feel free to share any information you
may have on the United Baptists.
What is the United
history of the United Baptists 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. Both Kentucky and Virginia established a general union of
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
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
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
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
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 may be other Baptists that fall in line with "Old Baptists" and
are not omitted on purpose.
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
The distinctions carry with them the history of said association(s) and
their stance(s) on certain beliefs, be it doctrine or missions. I still
consider them a part of the United Baptist history.