Union Baptist Church
Mutual Brotherhood, March on Washington

Union Baptist Church

By 1860 the African American community thrived on the foundation of more than 16 churches and missions throughout Baltimore. By 1900, more than 12 African American churches resided in Old West Baltimore alone. They helped give birth to and nurture almost every civic institution in the community: Provident Hospital, the YMCA and YWCA, the DuBois Circle, Niagara Movement - Baltimore Chapter, Morgan College, the Young People Movement, and many more. Within the walls of the church, a sense of security hovered, eclipsing Baltimore’s often racist society.

Mutual Brotherhood of Liberty key to Niagara Movement, NAACP in Baltimore

Dr. Harvey Johnson

The Union Baptist Church, begun in 1852, moved to Druid Hill Avenue in 1905. The church, especially under the leadership of Dr. Harvey Johnson, led many civil rights initiatives including the creation of the Mutual Brotherhood of Liberty, and helped co-found the Niagara Movement and the NAACP Baltimore Chapter. During the 1960s, mostly under the direction of Dr. Vernon Dobson, Union Baptist Church became a meeting place for many civil rights activities including Baltimore’s participation in the 1963 March on Washington.

1219 Druid Hill Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217