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.