Source: Newspaper article from Jackson or Lawrence County 1975.

"Oldest Black Church in Ohio Celebrates 156th Anniversary" / Tim Matchett.

The oldest Black church in Ohio. The Union Bpatist Church of Blackfork,
organized in 1819, will celebrate its 156th anniversary this coming Sunday,
October 19.
Several years ago the question was raised in the Providence Missionary Baptist
Association as to which of the sister churches was the oldest. The late J.H.
Rickman, the pastor of the Union Baptist Church at that time, believe that his
church held that honor.
Through his efforts, records were found of the church's organization in 1819,
proving it was the oldest.
A log church was built in 1819 from the logs of the old Saunders church.
The church records show the first minister was Rev. K. L. Carter of Franklin
Valley.
[More material on more recent history (1919-1975)]
[Includes  a picture of the log church with 4 Afro-Americans men]