History

Union Grove Baptist Church was organized October 23, 1946 by the late Reverend Jeremiah Crawford, with a membership of 13: Mother Dovetta Crawford, Bro. Robert Lee Crawford, Bishop J.C. Crawford, Reverend F.C. Crawford, Sis. Carrie Walker, Sis.Louise Carpenter, Sis. Daisy Cobb, Sis. Dovetta Wilson, Bro. Jeff Crawford, Bro. Harrison Crawford, Bro. C.L. Crawford, Sis.Ruby Nelson, Bro. Jonathan Crawford, Sis. Amelia Swinton, Sis. Dorothy Morris and founder, Rev. Jeremiah Crawford.

For some time services were held on 221 East 98th Street in New York City. The church membership grew and moved to 876 Home Street in the Bronx, New York in 1948 the year marked it's true beginning. The church was a storefront framed building. The church remained on Home Street for 13 years. In 1961 the church moved to 3329 Third Avenue in the Bronx, New York for a short period of time.

In 1956, Rev. Fletcher Crawford became Pastor Of Union Grove Baptist Church after the death of his father, Rev. Jeremiah Crawford.

Pastor Fletcher Crawford had a vision from God to move forward. He led the congregation from Home Street to Third Avenue while looking for a permanent home. With God's help, he and the membership were led to its present location at 1488 Hoe Avenue in the Bronx, New York. The building was purchased at a cost of $29,500.

December 8, 1974, the church's mortgage was burned at a memorable ceremony attended by members, friends and well wishers from throughout the Metropolitan area. The late Reverend M.L. Wilson, Pastor of Convent Avenue Baptist Church officiated and preached the "Mortgage Burning Service."

In February 1979, The Pastor was blessed to visit the Holy Land. While there, he was inspired by God to build a new church. Upon his return to New York, he met with his official staff and the church membership. He revealed to the members what God had instructed him to do -- "build a church." At that meeting, the membership voted to expand the church instead of building a new one. The expansion work had begun when the Pastor returned to the membership and said we had to build from the ground a new church due to complications that would interfere with expanding the building. Our last day of worship in the Old Union Grove Baptist Church was the fourth Sunday in July 1983.