Churches in Company Shops...... The railroad company provided a building that was used both as a school house, plus a church that was shared by several denominations. This building was called Union Church and was erected in 1869. The below present day Churches had their beginnings in Old Union Church until their memberships grew. They then built their separate places of worship. Methodist Church, Episcopal,... later became Front Street United Methodist Church. Formed in 1888. Methodist worshiped in the Old Union Church Building prior to 1888 when a cornerstone of Front Street Church was laid. This building was used until 1911 when a new "yellow brick" church was completed in 1912. This church was destroyed by fire in 1949, a new church building was erected on the same site. Presbyterian Church... which later became First Presbyterian. In 1857 Rev. Archibald CURRIE held the first religious service in Company Shops. Later services were held in a open lean-to building beside the railroad tracks on Sunday afternoons, and then in a private school building on present day Maple Avenue. Services were also held in the dining room or parlor of the Railroad Hotel until 1869. Services continued in the Union Church until 1878. A lot was purchased from the North Carolina Railroad at the corner of Front Street and Church Street. The church building was completed in 1891. The Reformed Church... later became First Reformed United Church of Christ. This church was an off shoot of the "Brick Church". A meeting at Brick Church on May 1, 1889 along with Saint Marks and Stoner's Church was held to constitute a church in Company Shops. Rev. Jesse RICHARDS of Lakeside, Ohio was appointed the missionary pastor. In 1889 a meeting was held in the home of Z.M. FOUST which was located on present day South Main Street. The charter members of this new church were: Mr and Mrs Z.M. FOUST, Mr and Mrs J.P. MAY, W.M. MEBANE, Mrs Rachel MAY, Miss Lulu FOUST, and Mrs Jesse RICHARDS. In 1900 a lot was purchased and the new church had it's first service, which was held on 6, January 1901. Baptist Church later became First Baptist. Located on Broad and Davis Street. Organized 28 July 1887 with a charter member of thirteen members who were: R.E. ANDREWS, Mrs Louzania ANDREWS, J.W. CATES, William HALL, Mrs Martha HALL, William F. HUNTER, Mrs Annie HUNTER, Mrs Lula Lee MOORE, Mrs Sallie F. PICKARD, Thomas M. ROBERTSON, Mrs Julia W. ROBERTSON, Morris W. STRAUGHN, and Mrs Annie STRAUGHN. The first new member to join this new church was Mrs J.W. CATES. Methodist Protestant Church... later became Davis Street United Methodist. Organized in 1892. Sources: Church Records "Daily Times News" 1974-1976 Alamance Co. Deed Books Alamance County Heritage Book