On August 13, 1911 Tarrant Baptist Missionary B. W. Clark organized Oak Grove Baptist Church. He was joined in this effort by nine charter members. Prior to this movement the Oak Grove community conducted Sunday School in anticipation of someday having a constituted church. On occasion a missionary came to preach at revivals held in the Oak Grove School house. The newly organized church would meet in this same schoolhouse located across the road from the present church campus.
Pastor E. F. Maness led this new congregation in an exciting and profitable fundraiser with the dream of raising enough funds to support the construction of a new church building.
The congregation leased thirty acres, planted cotton, and all agreed to pitch in, every man, woman, and child. Following prayer and much hard work, the church raised its first building in 1924. A grand total of $40.00 was spent on labor.
(right: first building 1924)
From the very beginning God has blessed Oak Grove Baptist Church with dedicated and godly men to serve as pastors. Along with the help of their wives and families these men have shepherded and guided this church on a God ordained course through the years that continues to have monumental effects on the community and the Kingdom of God.
J. H. Bunch served as the first full time pastor from 1940 - 1950.
(right: Pastor J. H.Bunch baptizes new believers in Deer Creek)
While attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Jimmy Nelson pastored Oak Grove from 1950 - 1954. During Jimmy Nelson's pastorate the church constructed the first educational building in 1951. The price tag for this new facility was $6,283. As interim pastor during 1955 Dr. Jesse Northcut led Oak Grove to establish a building fund for the erection of a new sanctuary.
On November 30, 1958 the church dedicated this new worship center.
The pastor at the time was Dr. Hubert Drumwright ('55 -'59), a professor at Southwestern seminary. (upper right: Worship Center 1958)
Continuing to grow, Oak Grove voted in 1964 to establish a building fund in hopes of constructing a new educational facility.
This dream became a reality during the pastorate of Virtus E. Gideon ('59 -'76) in 1969.
(far right of picture: Educational Building 1969)
Between 1976 and 1983 Oak Grove was
pastored
by Bill Stancil and Bruce Troy.
In 1992 the church once again expanded as Dr. David Garland ('83 -'98) led the church to build a new education and fellowship center.
(far left of picture: Education/Fellowship Hall 1992)
In late 1998 Oak Grove called Mark Vincent to pastor the church.
Following Pastor Vincent, Steve Beckwith accepted a call as full time senior pastor in the summer of 2002. With Pastor Beckwith shepherding the Oak Grove flock, a new Children's Education building was dedicated on February 6, 2005.
(last 3 photos: Children's Education Building with landscaping 2006)
In the winter of that same year, December 25, 2005, the remodeling of the existing Adult Education building was celebrated as we celebrated the birth of King Jesus. With the completion of the Children's Education Building and the remodeling of the Adult Education building Oak Grove moves forward, by faith, with the purchase of 8.41 acres in the summer of 2007.
As the soon expansion of our campus draws near, we are expanding the parking lot and anticipating a new Worship Center in the near future.
From the beginning Oak Grove Baptist Church has partnered with the Tarrant Baptist Association, Baptist General Convention of Texas, and the Southern Baptist Convention. With the backing of these cooperative relationships the church continues Growing strong, God's way as it responds to our Lord's Great Commission.