In 1954, the late Rev. Robert Woolbright, with the first ordained Deacon Bro. Otis Harley, the first Deaconess Sister Sadie Turner-Harley, Sis. Queen Ester Gant, and a few others, prayed for God’s direction in organizing Universal Baptist Church in the borough of Manhattan in a storefront on 124th Street and 8th Avenue. The church later moved to 131 West 133rd Street and then relocated to 123 West 135th Street.

In 1957, Rev. Robert Woolbright and the Universal Baptist Church members relocated again to a storefront in the Bronx at 270 East 150th Street and Morris Avenue. On Palm Sunday, March 1957, Rev. Woolbright and the congregation, along with officers of the United Missionary Baptist Association, walked in unison to their current house of worship at 253 East 153rd Street.

On October 8, 1966, during a church meeting, the members voted to incorporate, changing the name to The Greater Universal Baptist Church. On October 21, the original certificate was filed with the Bronx County Clerk’s office. On May 6, 1974, the original Constitution of 21 Articles was adopted and filed with the Bronx County Clerk.

Rev. William Fox was called as the second pastor of The Greater Universal Baptist Church in 1975. On the church’s 25th Anniversary in March 1979, Rev. Fox and the church members burned the church’s mortgage. After 20 years of leadership, Rev. Fox retired on Father’s Day, June 1995.

On Sunday, October 22, 1995, under the leadership of Deacon John Parks, Chairman of the Deacon Board, a general church meeting was called to form a pulpit committee to search for a new church leader. On Friday, July 12, 1996, Rev. Dr. Daniel Dupree was elected as the third pastor. On Sunday, July 14, 1996, the congregation welcomed Rev. Dr. Dupree, his wife Loretta Dupree, and their three children—Danielle, Reginald, and Nicole. On Sunday, November 15, 1996, Rev. Dr. Dupree was officially installed as pastor of The Greater Universal Baptist Church. Rev. Dr. Dupree retired on December 31, 2022, leaving a legacy of people committed to building the Kingdom of God on earth.

In January 2022, a new pulpit committee was formed under the leadership of Deacon Betty Bryant Brown, Diaconate Chairperson. On Saturday, July 22, 2022, the congregation elected Rev. Gregory Cowart as their fourth pastor. On Sunday, December 10, 2022, Rev. Cowart was installed as pastor of The Greater Universal Baptist Church. The congregation warmly welcomed Rev. Gregory Cowart, his wife Dr. Reeshman Genee Cowart, DPM, and their children, Ramani Kadence and Myles Gregory.