Union Grove Baptist Church

Union Grove Baptist Church was organized October 23, 1946 by the the late Reverend Jermiah Crawford. The original members were the siblings of Jeremiah and Dovetta Crawford: Robert Lee Crawford, Jerry Crawford, Fletcher Crawford, Carrie Walker, Louise Carpenter, Daisy Cobb, Dovetta Wilson, Jeff Crawford, Harrison Crawford, C.L. Crawford , Ruby Nelson, Jonathan Carawford, Ameila Swinton and Dorothy Morris. Church services were held at 221 East 98th Street New York, New York and moved to 876 Home Street , Bronx, New York.

In 1961 the members of Union Grove moved to 3329 Third Avenue, Bronx, New York. In 1956, Reverend Fletcher Crawford became the interim pastor of Union Grove Baptist Church as a result of the illness of his father, Reverend Jermiah Crawford. Reverend Fletcher Crawford in a Divine vision led the congregation from Home Street to Third Avenue and ultimately to her present location at 1488 Hoe Avenue, Bronx, New York. The building was purchased at a cost of $29,500. On December 8, 1974, the the mortgage of the church was paid and the deed of the property were given to the church. In 1979, Reverend Crawford was divinely inspired by his visit to the Holy Land. While in Jerusalem, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he was to return to New York and build a new edifice. April 28, 1984, church members moved into their new edifice at 1488 Hoe Avenue, Bronx, New York 10460. Reverend Crawford inspired his congregation to remain faithful by " building with a vision of tomorrow and an understanding of today, to build as unto the Lord a House where all men and women may pray; a place where young and old may fellowship and play." This inspiration was the result of many African-Americans who found a community of faith in the Bronx when many arrived from the Southern region of the United States in the late Black Migration of the 1930's-1940's.

Union Grove Baptist Church established a significant presence for many African-Americans in the decades of the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's. Afterwards, the surrounding community experienced tremendous change through urban decay. Many businesses, home owners and churches abandoned areas which were once a thriving and prosperous South Bronx community. Reverend Fletcher Crawford would not heed the advice of many to relocate his active congregation, but remained committed to continue God's work in this fledging community while encouraging Union Grove Baptist Church members to remain faithful to God, their families and the struggling South Bronx community. He rallied his members to continue the building of Union Grove Baptist Church. The cost of such edifice amounted to $300,000. From 1984 and thereafter, the surrounding community around the church as was invisioned by Reverend Crawford became vibrant with new neighbors, shops, schools, parks, homes. Vacant homes and buildings were replaced or rebuilt as the church became the "lighthouse" for this revitalized South Bronx community.

Union Grove Baptist Church remains a lighthouse to a diverse South Bronx Community, providing worship services, community events and activities. Reverend Crawford who retired June 25, 2006 after fifty years as pastor of Union Grove Baptist Church was succeeded by his son, Reverend Frederick Crawford.