Union District Association dedicates land for first permanent headquarters after 142 years

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — After more than a century of bringing together Black Missionary Baptist churches across south-central Kentucky, the Union District Association is one step closer to having a permanent home of its own.

Church leaders, community members and local officials gathered Wednesday on Russellville Road to dedicate the land that will become the Union District Association’s first headquarters since the organization was founded in 1884.

The association, which includes more than 30 Black Missionary Baptist churches, has spent 142 years fostering spiritual growth, leadership development and community outreach while holding meetings and conferences at member churches throughout the district.

Moderator Rev. Lee Fishback called the land dedication a historic moment for the organization.

“This is something that’s never been done before,” Fishback said. “We’ve never really had a headquarters building, one central location for all the churches. This is a special blessing that the Lord has granted us.”

Fishback said the future headquarters will provide a central location for meetings, conferences, leadership training and ministry, helping strengthen the association’s work for generations to come.

The organization officially purchased the property on May 7 after what leaders described as a years-long search. Fishback said multiple opportunities to purchase other properties fell through before the association found what it believes is the right location.

Scott Mason of Mason Realty Group, who helped the association acquire the property, said the headquarters will give member churches a permanent place to gather.

“This is going to allow the Union District Association to have a place that they can call home,” Mason said. “Everything will be centralized right here.”

Mason said the new headquarters will make it easier for the association to host conferences, meetings and other events while serving churches across the district from one location.

Bowling Green City Manager Jeff Meisel congratulated the association on reaching the milestone and expressed hope the future building will be completed before another significant date in the organization’s history.

“Hopefully you’ll get your building before your 150-year celebration,” Meisel said. “That would be a huge celebration.”

For Lisa Mason, Wednesday’s ceremony represented more than the completion of a real estate transaction.

“I’m just grateful to be a part of history in the making,” she said. “Building community and pouring into others.”

The ceremony concluded with pastors praying over the property, dedicating the land to the future ministry they hope will continue serving families throughout south-central Kentucky.

While there is no timeline for construction, association leaders say dedicating the property marks the first step toward establishing a permanent home for an organization that has served communities for more than 140 years.