September 1956 a mission is born, mothered by Salem Baptist Church. Mrs. Mary Wingo, member of Salem, owned a laundry on 131st Avenue and 22nd Street (The present building on the corner). Her husband had recently gone to be with the Lord, and as a memorial to him, she offered it to Salem for use as a mission. "Manna Mission" begins. Rev. Robert Gay and his wife Garnett, and Pearl Hess volunteered to get things under way. The work started with 8 adults and 32 children in attendance for Sunday School in the first few months. 65 were added to the membership. April 1957 Lynn Harnage, a Bible college student from Clearwater steps in as leader of this young mission, after the relocation of Rev. Gay to another mission work. November, 1958 Spencer Memorial Baptis tChurch (now Tampa Baptist Church) and Pastor Lonnie Owens, adopted Manna Mission as their mission. Salem Baptist is experienceing financail difficulties. February 1959 the Home Mission Board loaned $4,000.00 for renovations and repairs to the existing building. The Brotherhood of Spencer Memorial took charge of the various projects. To provide more space, a barracks building from Drew Field, which had been an Army AirCorps base during WWII, was relocated to the church property. April 1959, Rev. S.S. Mathis was called as interim pastor. Local flooding caused a great deal of problems, even then, in the community. December 1959, Rev. F. L. Mitchell was called as permanent part-time pastor. May 1960, the name "University Baptist Mission" is adopted. March 1963, Rev. Millard Moore was called as pastor and served two years. In 1965 Rev. Raymond L. Woodruff was called as pastor and resigned in June 1967. October 1966, dedication of a new building which is the present sanctuary area. July 1967 Rev. James Crosby was called as interim pastor. August 1967 Rev. Duane Alcorn is called as pastor and resigned in February 1971. August 1968 constituted as a church with 310 members. March 1971, Rev. Harry Bush was called as pastor and resigned in
April 1973 when he was called to mission service in Indonesia. May 1973, Dr. Charles Massey was called as interim pastor. September 1973 Dr. Charles Massey was called as pastor. September 1979, the new building received a new facade with the addition of the rooms on the north end of the building. 1979-1984 the history of the church is under review. October 1984, the University Baptist Church and the Ambassador Baptist Church merged to form a new congregation. Rev. Don Grantham, pastor of Ambassador was called as pastor. Dr. Charles E. Cramer, pastor emeritus, also came to serve this new congregation. October 1986, dedication of new buildings which included office and education space. October 1994, established mission, which is now University Haitian Baptist Church, currently meeting in our fellowship hall. 1992-2004 due to community decline, the church launched into partnerships with the University Area Community Civic Association, Hillsborough County, and others to lead in community revitalization. The area had become known as "suit case city", due to its high transient nature. Crime and blight characterized the neighborhood. The church became a "hub" for this collaborative effort. She continues working in partnerships with both public and private groups that are making a difference in the lives of those living in the vicinity. The first such effort was a federal program known as "Weed and Seed". Other examples of this are: God's Pedal Power Ministry (St. James United Methodist Church) YMCA Latch Key Program and Urban Young LIfe. April 2002 dedication of Ministry Building housing God's Pedal Power Ministry. October 2004 a new history begins. February 13, 2005 "Kids Connection" Ministry begins with the first meeting in their newly renovated rooms.

"We exist to bring our community into a

life-changing connection

with God through Jesus Christ."

Connecting to God

Connecting to Believers

Connecting to the Bible

Connecting to Others

Connecting to the Lost

Celebrating God's Presence

Assimilating into God's Family

Educating God's People

Demonstrating God's Love

Communicating God's Word