With a vision for ministering to the university community, five families gathered in Stubbs Hall on the LSU campus on Sunday, February 9, 1947. This group formed the University Baptist Chapel. These founding members of the church were Dr and Mrs. J. Leon Clark, Dr and Mrs. Maurice Vick, Mr. and Mrs. Bardin Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Tanner, and Dr and Mrs. W.E.B. Lockridge. Dr Lockridge agreed to serve as interim pastor of the chapel, which was a mission of the First Baptist Church.

By February, 1952, under the continued care of the first five families and the new leadership of Rev. John Hurt, 244 members chartered the new University Baptist Church. Rev. Bruce Evans followed Rev. Hurt and in May 1950 the church moved to its current location on Highland at Leeward Drive.

Since that move, the congregation has continued to grow in depth and breadth. The leadership of Dr James Young from 1963 to 1970 led to the church to expand in vision and in membership.

Dr George Haile followed Dr Young and led University Baptist to fruitful years in ministry and mission. For more than 27 years, Dr Haile led in continued growth. During his tenure, the church began new initiatives for international students (now Church of the Nations) and for a Child Development Center. The final piece of property - the land that fronts Highland Road - was acquired in this season of the church's growth.

Dr Keith Putt became the church 7^th pastor. Under his service, the church inaugurated its ministry to Highland Elementary in To Highland with Love, a ministry to children and faculty.

Dr Jay Hogewood followed Dr Putt in the summer of 2004. New efforts in worship and ministry in the community continue to result from the congregation's commitment to Christ. God has blessed this congregation for 60 years with dedicated members serving with their best gifts. We look forward to the future God has for us.

University Baptist Church is a caring and diverse family of Christians, united in love, who acknowledge Christ as Lord and the Bible as our authority. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, our mission is to:

Glorify God and share His love by worshipping with a spirit of openness;

Proclaim the message of God's salvation through Jesus Christ to our community and the world;

Teach, equip and nurture people for Christ growth and service; and

Minister to the needs, hurts and joys of all people within and beyond our church fellowship.

Watch Care: for college students or grad students who live in Baton Rouge while attending college, but have a home church in another location. UBC covenants to care for and nurture such people under watch-care.

By Transfer of Letter: those who are baptized disciples of Jesus Christ and have come to call UBC "home" are accepted by transfer of letter. This means the follower of Christ commits to this body of believers to participate in the life of the congregation.

By Statement of Faith: those who publicly accept the lordship of Jesus Christ declare their faith in him. Such a person states his or her faith and is welcomed into the community of UBC.

By Baptism: one who accepts Jesus as Lord publicly decides to follow Christ. This person is a candidate for baptism and joins UBC through the act of baptism. Baptism is the first act "the beginning step" of a life committed to the way of Christ, who gave us the model for baptism in his own baptism by John the Baptist.

Most importantly, anyone who wishes to know more about UBC and our ministries should simply contact our church and ask for a minister.