Church History
Christian Unity Baptist Church, formerly known as Gethsemane Baptist church, was incorporated as a church in June, 1982. The name was officially changed to Christian Unity Baptist Church in 1986 by the church body.
Christian Unity had its humble beginnings at the home of Ms. Naomi Elliott on Lomax Court in Waldorf, Maryland, under the leadership of Rev. William Kilson with eleven members. Services and Bible Study were also rendered by various ministers who were invited by members or recommended by the Potomac Baptist Association. .
Continuing to strive to become an organized body of believers, the church relocated to D.J. Dance Studio on Post Office Road, Waldorf, MD., and formerly elected Rev. James Green as Pastor. During his leadership (April, 1987 until 1988), an in-depth and informative Bible Study class was instituted. The following year the Church again experienced a transition and functioned with services led by visiting ministers, while meeting at the Meditation Room at Walls Bakery on Route 301 in Waldorf.
In 1990, Rev. Clayton T. Butler was elected Pastor of Christian Unity and Reverend Vernon Clark served as Associate Minister. Relocation was again necessary. This time the church moved to Jay Gould Court, but still in Waldorf. During Rev. Butler’s tenure, the church’s membership thrived to forty-seven (47) active members. Consequently, the Sunday School membership increased and the growth supported the addition of a youth ministry, a bus ministry and a Women’s Ministry. During this time frame, Christian Unity began its community outreach by periodically preparing dinner for the residents of the Regional Women’s Shelter in Hughesville, MD. After seven years of dedicated service, Rev. Butler found the need to resign as Pastor.
In 1998, Rev. Dr. Kerry Thomas, Sr. was elected as Pastor and Rev. Dr. Harrell Alexander fulfilled the position of Associate Minister until his demise in September, 1999. Rev. Michael Campbell became the next Associate Minister. Under the Thomas/Campbell leadership, Christian Unity again found it necessary to relocate. This time, the move was to a single unit on Park Waldorf Lane. Shortly after relocation in 1999, Rev. Thomas resigned as Pastor. Rev. Campbell continued to minister to the congregation during this period of transition.
In October of 2000, Rev. Rodney J. Blackmon, who came to Christian Unity on a probationary condition, was installed as the Pastor of Christian Unity. Under his leadership, an average of 45 new members joined each year during 2001 and 2002. In 2003, the church was in a position to add its first Assistant Pastor, that being Rev. Brye McMillon, Sr., who served until he received a military transfer. Upon his transfer, Rev. Angelo Ellison was elected to fulfill the position of Assistant Pastor. During the Blackmon/McMillon regime, expansion to a larger facility was a necessity. Thus, the church acquired the four units of 11822 Park Waldorf Lane.
October 2003, was an exceptional year for Christian Unity. In this year, God blessed the church with a 31 acre tract of land in Pomfret, Maryland. Christian Unity continued to thrive under the leadership of Rev. Blackmon until his untimely resignation due to medical reasons, in August, 2009. As expected, the daily attendance dwindled due to the uncertainty of the state of the church.
September 1, 2009, Rev. Antione Hutchins was elected to Pastor Christian Unity Baptist Church. After only 8 weeks under his leadership, the weekly attendance for Sunday worship service has almost tripled in size. The time for healing has begun. At this point, reference to 1Corinthins 2:9 is fitting: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Christian Unity is moving up.
