“Can you believe it?” a voice echoes. Greater Union Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith and resilience. It is located at 2616 South San Pedro in Los Angeles. The Greater Union Baptist Church is more than just a building. It is a beacon of hope in the community.
The church’s mission is to worship God. It aims to uplift humanity. It serves as a culturally focused fellowship. It spreads Christ’s Good News.
Pastor Dr. Walter Arthur McCray leads the congregation. Frederick McKinney is the Chairman of the Deacon Board. Barbara Carrington chairs the Trustee Board. Mary Thompson serves as the Church Clerk. These leaders guide Greater Union Baptist Church.
Weekly activities bind the community together. Sunday Church School starts at 9:30 a.m. Church Worship follows at 11:00 a.m. On Wednesdays, there is Prayer and Bible Study at 11:00 a.m. The Sunday School Workers Conference meets on the last Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m. The Sewing Ministry gathers every first Saturday from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m.
In March 2019, tragedy struck Greater Union Baptist Church. A devastating fire engulfed the building. Fortunately, no one was inside. The church had completed renovations just a few years prior. This made the loss even more heartbreaking.
Greater Union had been helping St. Mary’s Baptist Church. St. Mary’s had also suffered a fire. Just as they offered support, they faced the same crisis. Ronald Milburn said, “We offered our services to them and did what we could. A week later, I was in the same situation.”
Donations poured in to rebuild. But the COVID-19 pandemic created obstacles. Milburn explained, “We couldn’t get any supplies in. We couldn’t get any workers because they needed to find other ways to support their families.”
The church community remained united. They rented a building to stay together. Horace Smith said, “Everybody didn’t separate. We rented a building and stayed together until we got our church built again.”
In 2025, Greater Union Baptist Church was fully restored. The church hosted an emotional service to celebrate their return. Milburn declared, “We are believers. His grace and mercy saw us through.”
Greater Union Baptist Church stands tall. It is a symbol of faith. It is a monument of perseverance. It is a place where the community gathers. It is a place where faith overcomes all. Greater Union Baptist Church continues to rise.