Union Baptist Church has always been a beacon light in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the oldest African-American Baptist church in the city. Union was established on July 21, 1831, by fourteen Christian men and women, who wanted to worship God in religious freedom. The first religious services were held in a house located on Third Street, between Plum and Elm Streets. In 1835, with very little money, a lot of determination and the men of the congregation giving freely of their labor, the first small brick church building was erected on Western Row, now Central Avenue.

In 1840 due to the growth of the congregation, the church moved to Baker Street and remained there for twenty-four years. In 1864, the United Brethren Church located at Richmond and Mound Streets was purchased as a place to worship. The same year, the church purchased sixteen acres of land on Cleves-Warsaw Road in Price Hill for a cemetery. A new church building was completed at the Richmond and Mound Street site in 1895. Additions were made over the next three decades that provided additional space for church and community activities.

In 1960, the congregation learned that the church was in the path of a massive urban renewal project. This was a shock to a congregation that had a history of service to humanity in the downtown area. However, through God's guidance and the diligent work of the members of Union, the present site on Seventh Street was secured. Years of planning and work culminated in the dedication of our present place of worship to the glory of God, June 15, 1971. Union is the only downtown church displaced by urban renewal that bought property and rebuilt in the downtown core area. In 1973, the Page Tower Hi-Rise Apartment Building was completed adjacent to the church.

Seventeen men chosen of God have served as pastor of this historic church. The Reverend Dr. Wilbur A. Page, a great religious, as well as civic leader, served as pastor for sixty-six years (1919-1985). Our present pastor is the Reverend Dr. Orlando B. Yates, who continues to provide progressive leadership to the Union Baptist Church Family and the Cincinnati community. Today, as in past generations, Union stands as a beacon light seeking to alleviate the social, moral and spiritual distress of our community.