CHURCH HISTORY
1883—2016
Oak Grove Missionary Baptist
Church was organized on May 6, 1883, by a group of devout Christian believers
who, under the divine guidance of God and the leadership of the late Rev.
Gaynor, met regularly for prayer and praise services. As a result of these faithful gatherings, God
blessed Oak Grove with dynamic spiritual growth. In tribute, we recognize a few of the
Christian forerunners of Oak Grove: Rev. B.A. Ross, Deacon Willie Washington,
Deacon Frank Tibbs, Deacon Henry Bannister, Sister Daisey Bannister and the
first church clerk, Brother Jacob Scott.
The
first church edifice was a small-frame building located on what is now known as
Chancellor’s Run Place in Nanjemoy, Maryland.
As souls were saved and added to the church, the need for more space
became imminent. In 1901, the church was
rebuilt in its present location on Holly Springs Road in Nanjemoy, MD. Rev. Gaynor served as Pastor for
approximately 18 years and upon his death was succeeded by Rev. R.B. Ward. Rev. Ward served as Pastor for approximately
20 years and was succeeded by Rev. Garfield Hunter who was installed on June
19, 1921.
During
the pastorate of Rev. Hunter, the church vestibule was repaired and the outside
of the church was whitewashed. Rev.
Hunter served as pastor for approximately two years, after which Rev. George
Carter was called to assume the pastorate.
During his pastorate, several deacons were ordained and the annex (hall)
and choir stand were added to the church edifice. Oak Grove became known as the “Holy Ghost
Headquarters.” After Rev. Carter’s
faithful 29 years of service, God called him from labor to reward.
On
May 17, 1953, Rev. Herbert Holmes was installed as the pastor and under his
leadership a basement was added, a furnace installed, and new flooring was put
down. Rev. Holmes served for eight years
and returned home to Chicago for personal reasons. Rev. Joseph Washington served as the acting
pastor during this transition. In search
of a new pastor, Sister Naomi Johnson invited Rev. William Leach to preach and
Oak Grove realized that their faithful prayers had been answered. Rev. Leach was installed as pastor in June
1960. Under the leadership of Rev.
Leach, indoor plumbing was installed in the church, and the pastor’s study and
finance room were added. A choir room
and kitchen were also installed. Rev. Washington continued to serve as the
Assistant Pastor until his health began to fail. From 1973 to 1976, Rev.
William Thorpe then served as the Assistant Pastor.
In
May 1977, complete renovations of the church began. Services were held in the hall adjacent to
the church and occasionally at our neighboring churches. The church continued to grow in membership. During this time, Trustee Sedrick Cobey
designed the church and led in the construction of a new church edifice in
which Oak Grove currently worships. The construction of the church was
completed in 1981. The dedication
service was held on April 26, 1981. Since that time, through the help of God
much progress was made. Various
individuals and groups contributed to the necessities of the church providing
trays, kitchen appliances, dining room chairs and tables, etc. The baptismal
pool was completed August 25, 1984, and the mortgage burning was celebrated on
April 24, 1988.
Rev.
Leach’s health began to fail him and from time-to-time he made every effort to
come and be on his job for the Lord. God
knew that Rev. Leach needed an assistant, so the Lord sent Rev. Lowell H.
Hancock who joined the church in September 1988 and became the Assistant to the
Pastor. On November 25, 1989, the Lord
called Rev. Leach from labor to reward.
He served faithfully for 29 years as Pastor of Oak Grove. Rev. Leach will be remembered as a loving,
devoted, and faithful Pastor.
For
approximately one year and eight months, Oak Grove was without a Pastor. During this time, Rev. Hancock assisted in
performing the required pastoral duties.
Recognizing his service, Rev. Lowell H. Hancock was elected as pastor on
June 2, 1991. Rev. Hancock was installed
on July 28, 1991. During his pastorate, three deacons were ordained, seven
trustees added, and the By-laws and Constitution were revised and the church
incorporated. In addition, improvements
were made to the church cemetery, church property was cleared for recreation,
an organ was purchased and a handicap ramp was installed. Rev. Hancock served for 18 years.
On April 9, 2011, Rev. Alvin W.
Dockett was elected as the eighth Pastor of Oak Grove. Within the first month of assuming the
pastorate, 30 souls were baptized into the Kingdom and over 50 new members were
added to the church. Since being elected
pastor, two deacons have been ordained, two trustees have been appointed and
the By-laws and Constitution revised. Rev. Dockett has also led the church in
capital improvements including renovations to the bathrooms and vestibule,
renovations to the pastor’s study, the construction of a new audio/visual sound
room, and a bathroom and office space were added in the lower auditorium. In addition, under Rev. Dockett’s leadership,
a handicap accessible ramp was added, and renovations were done to the
sanctuary including the construction of a new pulpit, new carpet, and new
windows. In January 2013, Rev. Melvin
Latimer was appointed as the Assistant Pastor of Oak Grove. He faithfully served
assisting Rev. Dockett and leading the Men’s ministry.
In
July 2014, Rev. Alvin Dockett was called to another church. During this
transition the Deacons and Ministerial Staff proudly and faithfully served the
congregation until October 2014, at
which time, Rev. Joseph C.T. Flippin was elected and served as the Interim
Pastor.
On
August 2, 2015, Rev. Flippin was installed as the Pastor of the Oak Grove
Missionary Baptist Church. Since then souls are being saved and added to this
Body of Christ and this ministry is once again flourishing.
Oak
Grove stands in great expectation as we turn yet another chapter in the life of
the church. Our Vision Statement is:
We invite you to join us today!
