Union Grove Missionary 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. Reverend Jeremiah Crawford was called as the first minister. 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. In 1962, 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.

During the period of waiting, the church had services first in the Bronx Boy’s Club for a short while, located at Hoe Avenue and 173rd Street. Then God touched the heart of Reverend Milan, Pastor Beulah Assembly of God Church where we remained until we returned to Union Grove new church building on April 28, 1984. The dedication service was attended by many ministers, politicians and community leaders from the Bronx and the surrounding Metropolitan area. Reverend Jasper Simmons, Pastor of File Chapel Baptist Church, conducted and preached the deditorial service. We purchased new pews, carpeting, lights, tables, chairs and baby grand piano for our opening day.

Since our new beginning in 1984, the neighborhood has changed tremendously. As was envisioned by Pastor Crawford, the one-time vacant buildings have been rebuilt and new neighbors are moving back to the community.

“Building with a vision of tomorrow and an understanding of today, to build as unto the Lord a house where all men may pray; a place where young and old may fellowship and pray.” A determined Pastor and hardworking membership committed to continue God’s work with tithes and offerings, fund raising events, loans from members and annual days set aside by groups and auxiliaries have made it possible. The costs of this new building amounted to over $300,000.

In addition to these accomplishments, hundreds have been added to the church, Sunday school membership and attendance have shown tremendous growth, stewardship giving has increased, and the tradition of faithful Biblical preaching has continued.

Since history is still being recorded, let us labor together with God in order that our Church will be a Colony of Heaven. As we take inventory of the past and the present, there is no reason to doubt the future, for Jesus Christ is Lord.