In the year of our Lord Eighteen-Hundred and Ninety God laid upon the hearts and minds of a few people in the area known as Magnolia and Prospect to organize a place for worship. This group was headed by Bro. Mark Riddick. Bro. Riddick knew that God was on his side but that he would need the services of other members of the community. The group got together and we believe that they first prayed to God for a plan. They started having services in what was called a "Bush Shelter", they had Sunday school. and Worship Services. They were praying and waiting on a word from the Lord to start building. In the same year, the building was started, it did not take them long to finish the building so they now needed a leader for what was now the "Oak Grove African Baptist Church" The first trustees were organized and they were Mark Riddick, Eli Stewart, Benjamin Powell, Moses Crocker, Edward Saunders, Prentis Copeland, Ciaphas Holland, and Joseph White. The people of this area started attending and it became necessary for them to have someone to look after the spiritual part of the work so they
secured Rev. Knight who served from 1890 to 1900. Rev. Alexander Cobb served the people from 1900 to 1904. Rev. I. Cobb served from 1904 to 1909. Rev. Alicia Thompson served from 1909 to 1915, Rev. Alexander Goner served from 1915 to 1917, and Rev. Finner served from 1917 to 1920. In 1920 the Lord sent Rev. R. R. Rodgers who served longer than any pastor. Rev. Rodgers served the church 28 years from 1920 until 1948, they purchased the first piano under his leadership. After the illness of Rev. Rodgers, the church needed someone to stand in and they asked Rev. Washington to serve as the Supply Pastor, after the church realized that Rev. Rodgers would not be returning, God sent them Rev. P. L. Harvey and he served the church 6 years from 1948 to 1954. We know that through the guidance of God many accomp1ishments were made that is not written in this history and as history tends to do, man forgets information and facts but God has it written down and it is never lost from His sight. The church found that they again needed a spiritual leader and the Lord sent Dr. J. R. Wilkerson as a servant to the church in 1954, during his 21 years of service, water fountains were installed, the church was bricked, air conditioned and an organ was purchased, the church was renovated, new pews purchased and a new heating system installed. Dr. Wilkerson had a love for people; he was a teacher and a preacher. He was known as a man of great faith, his favorite saying was, "If you have the faith, God has the power". To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven and the time came for Dr. Wilkerson to move on, it was up to the members to retain the lessons that had been taught by this man of God. After Dr. Wilkerson retired, we were without a pastor for a while but through the prayers of the saints, we stayed together, Sunday school, Worship Service and Prayer meetings never ceased, we knew that if we would pray together, we would stay together.
Rev. H. L. Herod was called to Oak Grove; we continued to prosper because of the love of God and the love that God put into the hearts of the congregation. Under this administration the Educational Wing was built and the Celestial Choir was formed.
We had many trials and tribulations but God through His Infinite
Mercy kept us together, praying and call on His Holy Name. Rev. Herod left us suddenly after suffering an illness and we were again with a leader. During the illness of Rev. William Copeland, our present pastor supplied the church, he had been ordained and licensed under Rev. Copeland and had served as the assistant pastor during the administration of his father. In 1984, Rev. Anthony Copeland was installed as the servant of the church, as the under-Shepherd of this church and through the guidance of God, many accomplishments have been realized. This is the 19th anniversary of our pastor; we continue in prayer, that his ministry will be a long and fruitful one, both spiritually and materially. We believe the God truly sent this man to be our leader.
This is the 115th anniversary of Oak Grove Baptist Church, through faith, the Lord has kept this church that so many years ago Christians prayed and believed for this very moment in the history of this Little Church by the side of the road where every body is somebody and the Lord is High and Lifted up. The Gospel is preached and the presence of the Holy Spirit is welcomed at all, times.
We thank God for the praying people of Oak Grove Baptist Church, we thank God that He so graciously looked down upon us and kept us through trials and tribulations, through sorrows and through joys and though many that made this church what it is today is gone their prayers are answered. We give all the praise and all thanks to God because we realize that nothing could have been accomplished with Him
Rev. William Copeland, a son of the church was invited to become a servant of the church and accepted the burden on January 4, 1981. He became the 9th pastor of Oak Grove. Under his leadership the church grew, the Gospel was preached and souls were saved, Rev. William Copeland's main priority was the soul of man. He was an inspiration to the members and he instituted a program to pay off the mortgage. Under his leadership the mortgage was burned, first transportation was purchased, the W.C. Bible Class was formed. The J. R. Wilkerson Usher Board, the Awareness Club, and the Fellowship Choir was organized. Rev. Copeland was concerned about their well-being. He was well loved by the members here, he gave not only of his resources but he gave of himself, he is remembered as a teacher, a preacher, and a man of God. His favorite saying was "First the information, then the celebration." He wanted you to know what you were shouting about and that we should learn for ourselves, he encouraged the members to study. We thank God for men like Rev. William Copeland he was an inspiration to many. He served the church until his death. He was missed then and even now his gentleness and kindness echo through the church.
