UMBC Albany

About Us

Our Church

 

Our Church

UMBC is an organized body of believers founded upon the principles of God Almighty and dedicated to the service of Jesus Christ. God has honored this commitment and service by continually blessing and protecting this body for nearly a century.   Rev. Victor E. Covington has served as the pastor since the fall of 2004, fostering numerical growth and spiritual depth under his watch.  We are constantly improving and applying our urban ministry approach in the 'South-end' of Albany, New York where we are located.  The church serves as a lighthouse in the South-End.

 

A BRIEF HISTORY

In 1924 a group of friends began to meet for prayer at the home of Mrs. Leona Turnage, in Albany, NY, with the Reverend King presiding. In 1925 the Reverend Thomas Crenshaw joined the group, and in 1926 he founded the Church and named it the Union Missionary Baptist Church. In 1930 the Church was incorporated. With a membership of approximately 100 believers the Church relocated to 90-92 Franklin Street where it remained until 1954.

 

For the next two years UMBC was under the leadership of the Board of Deacons. In March 1956, the Reverend Louis C. Brewer became the pastor. Under Pastor Brewer's leadership, a building fund began. On March 25, 1962 ground was broken for a new building. On October 14, 1962 a proud and jubilant congregation marched into their new church home at One Morton Avenue. Union was the first church erected from the ground in Albany, NY, by an African-American congregation. On May 15, 1976 Union burned its mortgage and was cleared of all indebtedness.

The Lord continued to bless us!

 

This vision of Pastor Brewer for a community center began with a groundbreaking ceremony November 7th, 1986 was completed in June 1988.  Under Reverend Brewer's pastorate several individuals were licensed to preach and ordained to the gospel ministry:

  • 1980 Rev. Zeddie Mackey and Rev. Pleasant Foy were ordained to the gospel ministry.
  • 1982 Rev. Maxie Miller, Jr. was licensed to preach; and Rev. Richard Headley was ordained.
  • 1987Brother Norman Macklin was licensed to preach.
  • 1988Sister Shirley Freeman was licensed to preach.
  • 1993 Rev. Robert Bradley and Rev. John Stinson ordained to preach in.
  • 1994 Reverend Louis C. Brewer retired as pastor in March, after serving Union for 38 loyal years.
  • 1994-1997Union was under the faithful leadership of the Board of Deacons.
  • April 1997, Rev. Dr. Ronald W. Steward was installed as pastor and served until 2000.
  • 2000-2004 In the absence of a pastor the church remained steadfast and continued to move forward under the stewardship of the Board of Deacons.
  • September 2004 The Reverend Victor E. Covington was installed as Pastor.

 

Pastor Covington has enhanced existing ministries and birthed new ones as reflected on our ministries link.  Under Pastor Covington's leadership the church sponsored its first Foreign Missions trip to Africa, where we have developed missions' partnerships with African Churches and ministries. 

 

The Union Church family has grown and with God's guidance will continue to move forward in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The Union family is very grateful that the Lord has allowed us to carry on His will, and pray that He will continue to use us for His Glory, Honor and Praise.