Welcome to Progressive Union Missionary Baptist Church
Progressive Union Missionary Baptist Church was formally organized under the leadership of Reverend Newman Townsend. The roots of the church go back approximately to 1911 with the founding of Gaines Chapel Baptist Church.
In 1911, Gaines Chapel Church was founded under the guidance of Reverend Sam Gaines in he Pond Beat community, where Redstone Arsenal is located.
From 1941 to 1951 members of Gaines Chapel worshipped jointly with New Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church — another church which existed in the Pond Beat community. Meetings were held at St. Matthew Primitive Baptist Church. During this time, the two churches, under the spiritual leadership of Reverend Newman Townsend, began construction on a building for worship. It was completed in 1951. Reverend Townsend suggested that the group reorganize under the name of Progressive Union Missionary Baptist Church.
In 1951, Progressive Union chose Reverend P.S. Swoope as the Pastor. He served faithfully until his death in 1960. In 1960, Reverend Sam Whitman was elected Pastor. He served until his death in November 1974. In 1975, Progressive Union elected Reverend Herbert Cartwright, Jr. to serve as Pastor. During his tenure a new sanctuary was erected. This administration also saw the first woman minister in the history of the church, Minister Bernell Tibbs. Reverend Cartwright served faithfully until August 1985.
In January 1986, Reverend Wayne P. Snodgrass was elected as pastor of Progressive Union. Many classes and ministries were implemented. In 1994, the Family Christian Life Center (FCLC) was completed which enabled the church to expand its ministries. On April 1, 2006, the new sanctuary was completed and the first worship service was held on Sunday, April 2, 2006.
After only 8.5 years, Progressive Union M.B. Church made the final payment on the church mortgage. This was made possible by the sacrificial giving and generous offerings of our church family. THANK YOU! During our New Year’s Eve service on December 31, 2014, the church body recognized this achievement with a special “mortgage burning” celebration with Deacons Stanley and Harris having the honor. To God be the glory!!!
OUR BELIEFS
Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church; in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings; faithful in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offence, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word.
Articles of Faith
The Scriptures, The True God, The Fall of Man, The Way of Salvation, Justification, The Freeness of Salvation, Grace in Regeneration, Repentance and Faith, God’s Purpose of Grace, Sanctification, Perseverance of The Saints, The Harmony of The Law and The Gospel, A Gospel Church, Baptism and The Lord’s Supper, The Christian Sabbath, Civil Government, The Righteous and The Wicked, The World to Come.
Our Staff
Pastor: Dion Watkins
Secretary: Vacant
Youth Director: Wanda Rice
Director of Music: Laurent (Lou) Daniel Vergnac
Director of Operations: Keshia Askew
Director Child Development Center: Dorthy Thomas
Facilities Maintenance: Vacant