UNITED CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, (APOSTOLIC)
TRANSFORMATION CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
The United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic), like most Pentecostal and Apostolic bodies, traces its history to the great revival that began in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, 33 AD. The twentieth century beginnings can be traced to the revival in Los Angeles, California, at 312 Azusa Street led by W.J. Seymour in 1906. From this now famous place, revival spread rapidly throughout the United States and the world. This revival was instrumental in the life of our founder, Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr.
In 1934, a movement known as Rehoboth Church of God in Christ began in Baltimore, Maryland, from which came the Church of God in Christ Jesus (Apostolic) in 1947. Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. was member of the Board of Bishops from 1947 to 1965. In 1965 Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. founded The United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) located in Baltimore, Maryland. From 1965 to 2004 under the leadership of Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr., the organization had grown to include churches across the United States, Canada, England, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands of the West Indies, and Liberia, West Africa. From its headquarters in the United States the Board of Bishops, through the Presiding Bishop, directs the organization. In July, 2004 Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. was elevated to the office of apostle. Dr. Monroe Saunders, Jr. was installed as the presiding bishop of the organization.
The First United Church of Jesus Christ, Apostolic began on Sunday, November 7, 1965, with a small body of believers who gave their time and finances and purchased the church at the corner of Copley Road and Liberty Heights Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland. As the faith of Bishop Saunders, Sr. and the membership increased, it became necessary to look for a larger location. Twenty-two acres of rolling green lawns in west Baltimore became available and Bishop Saunders, Sr. felt this prime acreage offered an excellent opportunity for future programs and expansion. The property was purchased and the membership continued to expand.
The new property included a school building and a separate facility that had been used as a gymnasium. The gymnasium was renovated and became the new worship site for the First United Church, seating over 1,000. In just two years after moving to the new property, The Monroe Saunders School..."Center For Creative Learning" opened its doors as one of the first majority African American accredited private schools in the state of Maryland. Which served as a model that many others have followed. Continuing with his vision and a heart for the community, Bishop Saunders Sr. saw fit to build Abundant Life Towers II a senior citizen housing development. This was the second building constructed by the First United Church and subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
In 2003, under the direction of Bishop Saunders, Jr., the church name was officially changed to Transformation Church of Jesus Christ. This was necessary to alleviate confusion with other churches in the Baltimore area with similar names. Additionally, the new name embodies the Mission and Vision that God has given Bishop Saunders Jr.
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