“Upon this Rock I will build my church; and the Gate of Hell shall not prevail against it”
Matthew 16:18
The Oak Grove Baptist Church was started in 1941. The first worship services were held at Deacon P.B. Boyd’s home and at the homes of other members. Later that same year another was ordained giving the church two Deacons; Deacon P.B. Boyd, Chairman and Deacon Mason Hudson.
As the Lord blessed the church, the members began having prayer and worship services at the old school house, which was approximately one mile from this churches current location. During this time the Preachers were: Reverend A.D. Robinson, Reverend Charles A. Faulk, Reverend Ben Jacobs, Reverend C.E. Harriel, Reverend Jackson, Reverend Jones and Reverend Wilbert Outen.
As time progressed the church services were held at a Peach shed, which was approximately 1,000 feet from this location.
In 1944, Mr. Curtis Jacobs sold an acre of land to Sister Maybell Hudson; where the first church was built.
In 1946, the first Oak Grove Baptist Church was built of wood and was founded by its first Pastor, the Reverend A.D. Robinson. Reverend Robinson pastored Oak Grove Baptist Church until his death in 1954.
In 1954 more land was sold to the church by Mrs. Eunice Jacobs as documented by Title and Deed and witnessed by Deacon Purify Body, Brother Roosevelt Blanding and Brother Elmer Belton. Brother Roosevelt Blanding and Brother Elmer Belton were also elected as Trustee’s this same year. After the passing of Pastor A.D. Robinson, Reverend Charles A. Faulk became Pastor and added some additions to the church.
Reverend Hagins filled in as Preacher for a short period of time while the church searched for a permanent Pastor to replace Reverend Charles A. Faulk who moved on to Pastor another church.
In 1960 Reverend J.R. Butler became Pastor. Under Reverend Butler’s leadership the block church which sits next to the new sanctuary, was built. The membership began to grow and the church began to make great strides in its ministry’s.
Following the death of Deacon P.B. Boyd, the church elected Deacon Roosevelt Blanding as chairman of the Deacon Board. In 1961 the church ordained Deacon Brooks Hudson, Jr. and Deacon Walter Gibbs. A few years later Deacon Moses Roseborough was ordained as a Deacon.
In 1968 Deacon Brooks Hudson, Jr. was elected as chairman of the Deacon Board where he served for 40 years until January 2008.
In 1982 Reverend J.R. Butler retired as Pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church after faithfully and graciously serving for 22 years. Following Reverend Butler’s retirement, the church elected Reverend Willie James Goodwin as the Pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church.
In 1986 there were several rooms added to the rear of the church and the Baptismal pool was repaired and upgraded.
In 1988 the church obtained a certificate of incorporation and two more members were added to the Board of Deacons; they were Deacon James Ross and Deacon William H. Woodard.
Through the years since 1982 there has been 15 ordained and or licensed Preachers added to the church rolls: Reverend Sandra Washington, Reverend Gary Walton, Reverend Harold Garvin, Reverend Ben McCollum, Reverend Earnest Jones, Reverend Eric Gurley, Reverend Freddie Collier, Reverend Doster, Minister Russell Davis, Minister Gregory McCalley, Minister (Rev) Marvin Middleton, Prophetess Sheila Belton, Reverend Louis Hargrove, Reverend Jason Sutton and Reverend Antonio Oliver.
During the 1990’s there were two bathrooms and two offices added to the front of the church. Also during this time, the church purchased a copier, some computers and a sound system.
In 1992, Trustee Andrew Kendrick and Trustee Alphonso Dixon were ordained as Deacons. The fellowship hall was added to the church.
In 1994, Trustee Frank Gibbs and Trustee Isaac Sutton were ordained as Deacons.
In 1997, the land that the new sanctuary now sits on was purchased from Mr. Rhett Jacobs. Deacon Horace Griffin became a member of the Deacon’s Board.
In the years since 1998, there have been five Deacons added to the Board of Deacons, they are: Deacon Willie Brown, Deacon Cecil Postell, Deacon Fred Levy, Deacon Andrew Rauch and, Deacon Donnie Blanding.
On August 18, 2002 the church body held a ground breaking ceremony for the new sanctuary in answer to a vision through our then Pastor (Reverend) Willie J. Goodwin from the Lord.
On February 1, 2004 the first worship service was held in the new sanctuary. The sanctuary was dedicated back to the Lord on February 15, 2004.
In 2007, Reverend Willie James Thompson JR. was appointed by then Pastor Reverend Willie J. Goodwin as our first Youth Pastor.
In March 2010, the area behind the cemetery was paved and parking lines were painted to provide an area to park for members and visitors.
In 2008, Deacon Clarence Joseph was elected Chairman of the Board of Deacons and Brother Joel Guider was elected as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The oak Grove Baptist Church in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Ten consists of: 14 active Preachers, one Pastor Emeritus, eight Active Deacons, one Walking Deacon and two Deacon Emeritus’. The Trustee Board consists of: 11 active Trustees’ and three Trustee’s Emeritus’. The church has several auxiliaries, three Choirs, Missionary, Youth department, and Board of Usher’s ministry. The Oak Grove Baptist Church currently consists of approximately 500 members.
The following are Preachers who were ordained and/or licensed under the leadership of Pastor Willie J. Goodwin: Bishop William H. Woodward, Reverend James Jackson, Reverend Augustus Randolph, Reverend George Johnson, Minister Agnes Gibbs, Minister Juanita Garvin, Minister Cassandra Jones, Minister Fredrick Bowers, Minister Louise Custard, Minister Joaquim Custard, Minister Lizzie Guyton, Reverend Andrew Kendrick, Reverend Isadore Bowers, Minister James Patterson, Reverend Gladys Ball, Reverend Willie J. Thompson, JR., Reverend Muriel H. Maxwell, Reverend Audrey Levy, Reverend Walter Jones, and Minister Sarah Martin.
On July 24, 2010 at 4:00 pm Reverend Albert L. Downing was installed as the Oak Grove Baptist Church Pastor. He precedes Reverend Willie J. Goodwin, the outgoing Pastor.
Oak Grove Baptist Church has been providing service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for over Sixty-Nine years.
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