Dr. J. H. Williams (or "Pop-pop", as many loved to call him) was a humanitarian, a social activist, and a Baptist preacher.  He served with the Army during World War I, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Washington D. C. and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ for over 70 years. He was born in Friars Point, Mississippi on April 4, 1895.  He was educated in the public school system there and was graduated from Alcomb College before coming to the east coast in 1921. 

He was working for Sun Oil Co. in Marcus Hook, PA., as a barrel maker when he was converted and accepted the "call" into the Gospel ministry.  He was ordained by the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Wilmington, DE on December 20, 1925.  His increased thirst for knowledge led to him completing a correspondence course through the Baptist Seminary in Terre Haute, and and attending the School for Rural Church Leaders at  Lincoln University, PA in cooperation with the Home Mission Council of North America in 1947 and 1948.  He eventually received the Bachelor and Doctor of Theology degrees from the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Birmingham, Alabama in 1948.  He was later granted an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from there.

            Dr. Williams served a pastorate at the Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Belvedere, DE for  5 1/2 years before coming to Dover in 1934 to pastor Calvary Baptist Church.  He left that position in 1935 and was immediately called to lead the small 33 year old congregation known then as "The Little Mission".  The church's name was changed when it was incorporated on December 11, 1935 to Union Baptist Church of Dover.

            From July 10, 1935 until February 22, 1989, Dr. Williams lead the congregation of Union Baptist Church and influenced both Black and White communities in the greater Dover area with his preaching and pastoral heart.  He served as the only appointed Chaplain for the Dover City Council for twenty-five years and was the first recipient of the city's Most Distinguished Service Award in 1974.  He served as past Master of Prudence Lodge #6, as president of the local chapter of the NAACP early on and he expanded the Union Baptist Association affiliations to include churches  from four states.

            Dr. Williams was hailed by many as a man who exemplified courage, wisdom, vision and compassion.  His greatness as a leader showed in his continued re-election as the Moderator of the Union Baptist Assoc. of De., Md. & Adjoining States ( First elected on October 23, 1938), the President of the Sunday School Union Convention of De., Md. & Adjoining States, the President of the Mt. Zion State Missionary Baptist Convention (renamed in honor of Dr. Williams after his death) and the unchallenged bestowal of the title of "Dean of the Dover Preachers" by his contemporaries.

            During his pastorate at Union Baptist Church Dr. Williams lead the congregation into two newly constructed sanctuaries.  In 1938 the church moved to New St. & Banks Lane. On August 24, 1969 the congregation followed Dr. Williams into the contemporary styled sanctuary at 883 Lincoln St./Gibbs Dr.  This location still continues to be the home of this congregation, who at one time numbered over 400.

            Before Dr. Williams' death, the National Baptist Convention of America, where he served on the Educational Board for a number of years, changed their organizational structure by incorporating.  The ideological differences among the leadership concerning the authority of the board of directors lead to a break-up of the oldest Black Baptist organization in the world.  As the elected leader of the state and local levels of the convention, Dr. Williams led them and the church into the newly formed National Missionary Baptist Convention of America which maintained support for the original principle of "congregational autonomy".  During 1991, Union Baptist Church formally incorporated this title into its name to show support for Dr. Williams' lifetime position that we are "a missionary ministry" of Jesus Christ. 

          Dr. Williams commitment to public service was seen in his regular visits to area hospitals to minister, not only to his own members, but even to those who did not attend any church.  He helped young and old spiritually and materially.  He was known to reach into his own pockets on many occasions to help those who voiced a need.  In 1948 Dr. Williams initiated, as an outreach ministry to the sick and shut-in, what has become the longest, uninterrupted broadcast coming from a minority Christian congregation anywhere on the east coast of the United States.  The "Back To God Broadcast For All People" was heard each Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. on WDOV, a local Dover radio station, for more than 47 years.  In 1993, the church moved the historic broadcast to station WKEN (now WAMS - Heaven 1600) to expand the focus and effectiveness of its outreach ministry to the Dover community.

          In 1959, Dr. Williams was appointed to his first term as a member of the Board of Trustees for Delaware State College.  During his tenure the board over saw a tremendous expansion program which included construction of several new buildings and conscientious enhancement of the educational program which lead to Delaware State becoming one of the most desirable educational centers in the east.  He continued to serve in that office until his death.  During the commencement exercises on May 19, 1985, the Board of Trustees elected to bestow on Dr. Williams, the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. 

          It is in recognition of these achievements and service that the congregation of Union Missionary Baptist Church agreed to perpetuate the memory of Dr. Williams' works through the dedication of the J. H. Williams Fellowship Hall and initiated, with the help of several other churches in the area, the J. H. Williams Memorial Scholarship Endowment that will provide scholarships for needy students entering Delaware State University.  On March 11, 1991, the City of Dover, by a unanimous vote of the city council, joined in propagating the memory of Dr. Williams by dedicating the park on Saulsbury Rd. near Forrest Av. in his honor. 

          Our prayer is that the generations to follow will come to know and believe in Dr. Williams' personal faith scripture: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13)

Copyright © 2001 Union Missionary Baptist Church. All rights reserved.  01/25/2006 02:38 PM
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