DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it — and friend, this one's worth slowing down for. Back in 1872, a man named W.L. Holloway donated a tract of land to the Bath community.
Now, the folks out there didn't let it sit idle. They put up a small building on that land — modest enough to pull double duty as a school during the week and a sanctuary come Sunday. And right there in that same year, they established Union Hill Church.
The congregation's first trustees were three men: Martin Palmer, Jr., Jackson Wells, Jr., and Frank Arnold. Three names, recorded. That's how a community plants its flag.
Among the significant pastors who shaped Union Hill, the marker points to two in particular — the Reverend Elisha Day, and his son, the Reverend Robert E. Day. Now, that's a legacy worth noting.
Father and son, both called to the same pulpit. But here's where the story takes a turn that no sermon committee ever planned for. During one of Robert Day's sermons — mid-message, presumably mid-point — a possum walked into the sanctuary.
Just walked right in. And from that day forward, the community carried a new name locally: Possum Walk. Now, pastors from several denominations have served Union Hill over the years.
The building itself has been renovated more than once. And the church? It remains active to this day — still a place for meetings, still a place for worship.
Some landmarks get their character from great men and solemn dates. This one also got it from a possum with no sense of occasion — and a congregation that never let it go.
What the marker says
In 1872, W.L. Holloway donated a tract of land to the Bath community. A small building on the land served as school and sanctuary for area residents, who established Union Hill Crhuch that same year. The congregation's first trustees were Martin Palmer, Jr., Jackson Wells, Jr. and Frank Arnold. Significant pastors were the Rev. Elisha Day and his son, the Rev. Robert E. Day. During one of Robert Day's sermons, a possum reportedly walked into the sanctuary, giving the community its locally known name of Possum Walk. Pastors from several denominations have served the church, which remains active, and the building, renovated over the years, continues to serve the community as a place for meetings and worship. (2003)