Rev. David Stanley and Union Baptist Church Celebrate Completion of New Gymnasium
Rev. David Stanley and his congregation at Union Baptist Church are excited about the completion of the new gymnasium on their property at 1137 Kitchens Street in Macon.
In 2020, Rev. Stanley envisioned the need for more space and initiatives, and the church added a multi-purpose gymnasium that can serve 1500 people. The structure includes a basketball court, rooms for exercise classes and additional educational, conference, hospitality, and technology rooms to better serve the community. The project was dedicated on May 1, 2021, after pandemic delays. Services began in the new structure with a Youth Day Celebration and Sunday mornings services on June 6, 2021.
Rev. Stanley is proud of the new multi-purpose facility. “It’s the way of our church to serve future generations from both a Christian and community perspective,” he said. “We consider this a facility that belongs to the people of Macon for their use and enjoyment.”
Available for events such as weddings, conferences, etc., the new building is already being utilized for regional basketball tournaments, Sunday morning services, and even pickleball on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00pm. Pickleball is a cross between ping pong (table tennis) and standard tennis. On February 14, 2023, the new facility will serve as the venue for the Valentine’s Day Gala from 6:30pm to 9pm.
The public is encouraged to visit the new facility during its use and consider renting the beautiful new structure for a fraction of the typical cost of venue rentals. Simply contact the church at (478) 746-4415 to inquire about pricing and to schedule your next event.
In January of 1987, Rev. David L. Stanley began serving as interim pastor and was installed as the full time pastor of Union Baptist in June of 1987. Under his leadership, many new programs have been initiated for Senior Citizens, the Youth, the membership, and the community at-large. He has received numerous awards for his community involvement including being awarded a Key to the City and was elected as one of Macon’s Most Inspirational Speakers. He received a Certificate of Diploma from Moody College and a B.A. Degree in Biblical Studies from Carolina University in Lincolnton, North Carolina. His affiliations include Member and Past President of the Baptist Ministers Union of Macon; First Vice President of the Sixth District of the State Convention of Georgia and 2nd Vice Moderator of the Union Baptist Association. On February 17, 2015, Rev. Stanley was appointed and accepted by the State Convention to serve as Sixth District President by the late President Curtis Raines Sr. He is married to the lovely Deborah Crawford Stanley and the couple have one son, David Jr., daughter-in-law Chiquita and one grandson, Brandon.
Union Baptist Church was founded in 1883 and is one of the oldest church congregations in Bibb County. After several location moves, the church located to its present site under the leadership of Rev. Hosea Rancifer. During his tenure as pastor, the building was paid off in just nine years and the mortgage burning was held in 1973. Rev. Rancifer also led many new additions to the church including brick veneering the church, Painting the inside, erecting double doors at the front entrance, installing a P.A. system and choir stand, and carpeting the pulpit. These additions were paid off in just four and a half years and a second mortgage burning was held in 1982. The first men and women’s day programs were initiated, deacons were ordained, and seven ministers were licensed and ordained under Rev. Rancifer’s stead.
