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Oak Grove Baptist Church ...Pictures submitted by Theresa Ferguson.
OAK GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH CENTANNIAL 1992 Written by: Irma C. Hill Submitted by: Joan Agent Warren Preface Twenty-five years ago, for the occasion of Oak Grove’s 75th anniversary, the late Mr. I. C. Hill wrote a paper entitled “Reflections of Oak Grove Baptist Church.” As far as is known, said treatise is the only attempt to put into easy reading form the story of Oak Grove Baptist Church. In many ways, a century is a long time--years in which the Church’s founders have passed on; many other members have departed this world and/or moved away; many years in which much written data has disappeared and memories have grown dim. There is not much written matter available. History cannot be a matter of conjecture. It has been a pleasant search through such materials as are available, and getting old-timers to remember happenings of long ago. For you who love the Grove, this little summary of events shows a part of what brought Oak Grove from desire and inspiration of saintly souls of the distant past to what Oak Grove Baptist Church is today. Frank Johnson Writer Hazel Willis Johnson Proofreader Paul Leber Pastor Eloise Lane Clerk Hazel Willis Johnson Treasurer Deacons: J.T. Hill, Jr. R. P. Lane Frank Johnson Pastors E. L. Taylor, H. Savell, Ezekiel Jay Hill, Z. M. Dunn, R.L. Breland, Levi Roebuck, Jeff Wood, C.J. Wood, John W. Jones, Lane Taylor, J.M. McGraw, R.C. Barham, L. T. Grantham, Oscar Breland, Glenn Smith, H.L. Byrd, Lavon Moore, Glenwood Taylor, E.A. Breland, W.C. Breland, Bill Harbor, Lamar Burkes, Joe Lunsford Woodrow Clark, W.H. Waltman, Archie Fleming, Ken Anderson, Joe Holcomb, Ray Fulton, E.C. Tucker, Leonard Holloway, Chris Curtis, Mack Carney, Keith Fulton, John Newbaker and Paul Leber. Clerks: W. E. Hill, J.A. Willis, G.W. Hill, W.R. Salter, LeRoy Barrett, J.W.M Thornton, J.O. Thornton, G.L. Taylor, I.W. Barrett, I.C. Hill, J.T. Hill, Sr., N.E. Tucker, Prentiss Lane, J.T. Hill, Jr. J. L. Willis, Lee Breland Hill, Birdie Ethridge, Zola Lane, and Eloise Lane.
OAK GROVE CHURCH: THE FIRST CENTURY The “why” of an event answers a multitude of questions. When the “why” motive, if you please, is established boundaries are expanded to the extent that we are looking beyond mere physical data and are peering into the hearts, the minds and the thinking of human beings. This is where true history lies, where beginnings occur. At this point, if the necessities are within reach: it will be recorded in deeds and words and passed along to succeeding generations to use as they will. Oak Grove Baptist Church could be considered a foregone conclusion. At the time of its inception, spiritual matters were a concern of most mankind; and too, there was no church in the immediate community. The desire to know one’s Creator, to please, to worship, and to serve that Creator, was strong enough to induce man to form an organization, to provide a place to meet, and to select and procure personnel adequate to the tasks of preaching, teaching, leading and serving. In Oak Grove community, this desire was of such strength that all the factors required to build a church came into play. Having said that, it is only fair, and certainly historically authentic, to let the founding fathers speak for themselves. From the minutes of the organizational meeting, dated October 30, 1882, we gather excerpts which shed light on the purpose of Oak Grove Baptist Church. “We, the scattered members of Neshoba County, the Church of Christ, holding letters of dismission, in fellowship, from several churches in different places, feeling it to be our duty for the glory of God and the advancement of the Redeemer’s Kingdom on earth to unite in a gospel church….” In such manner, the matter was stated concisely. A group of church members from various places had moved into the community; there was no meeting place, and, as Christians have done all over the world since the time of Christ, they simply created a place. Further, although not specifically stated, one could read into their stated purpose the need for Christian fellowship, the need for spiritual edification, and last but by no means least, obedience to the Master’s admonition to “forsake not the gathering of yourselves together.” It is altogether fitting that charter members and leaders of the new church be listed at this point. According to the minutes, these were such members: H.E. Willis, Sudie Willis, Arthur Tucker, M.J. Tucker, J.W. Tucker, G.W Partridge, Alma Partridge, W.E. Hill, and Bettie Hill. With the exception of Alma Partridge, these persons continued as members of Oak Grove Baptist church throughout their years. It must also be noted that the organizational minutes state: “Having previously called on Elders E. L. Taylor, C.S. Clark, and J.W. Simms as a presbytery…..” The group wisely made provisions for “Order and Decency.” This fact is thusly stated: “Pursuant to a request of the above named members of Oak Grove Church, (the charter names), we, the undersigned presbytery, have this day met at the above named place, and finding them orthodox and in order, have proceeded to constitute them into a regular gospel church.” (This statement signed by): Elders: E.S. Clark, E.L. Taylor, J.W. Simms, Elder E.S. Clark, Moderator pro tem, J.J. Willis, Clerk pro tem. Records are not entirely clear if this statement was signed October 30, 1892, nor is there any indication as to ways or means of “finding them orthodox and in order.” We simply accept their judgment. After identification of the purpose of Oak Grove Baptist Church personnel, the founders, it is appropriate to focus on the place. Oak Grove Baptist Church had its beginning days in a one-room school building located on the corner of land approximately two miles east of the present site and some three hundred yards north of the River Road. The school, which had been in existence several years, was called Oak Grove. According to the minutes of a February, 1903 conference: “ A committee was appointed to look after the building of a new church.” The December, 1904 minutes state: “The new church building was located at or near the old building.” However, minutes are silent regarding this matter until the third Sunday in June, 1906, when this notion was entered: “Conference was opened for the purpose of locating a new church. It was located at the Salter Graveyard.” Thus a relocation of meeting place and a new building, located near the present site of Oak Grove Baptist Church came into being. There is no indication in the minutes that the word church, in this instance, meant anything other than church building. Minutes further state: “On Monday morning, July 27, 1906, the new church was at the Salter Graveyard was begun.” Presumably, the new edifice was completed in a matter of a few weeks or months, and the congregation had a new building in which to meet. For unstated reasons, in August, 1914, the Oak Grove congregation voted “to move the church from the present place back to the old stand.” So, after a period of eight years, the new site and the new building were abandoned and meetings were resumed at the oak Grove school building, the original site. For a period of eleven years, the original site was home for Oak Grove Baptist church. Finally, on the third Sunday in June 1925, by unanimous vote, the organization chose to return to the present site, near the cemetery. Buildings which housed the Oak Grove Baptist Church body were never elaborate or expensive. As previously stated, the original meeting place was within the walls of Oak Grove school building, a one-room frame structure. School furniture, such as it was, was used as church furniture. During ensuing years, the building was enlarged, making it more suited for both church and school. The building located at the Salter Graveyard, was a frame structure of two stories: one room downstairs and one room upstairs. During the ensuing years, alterations and annexation followed. Of necessity, rooms were added to house Sunday School classes. Sometime in the 1940’s the old kerosene-burning Aladdin lamps gave way to electricity. Along the way, window shutters were removed and replaced with glass, improvements were made in seating arrangements, and concrete steps were installed at the front door. In January, 1951, each family was asked to grow 100 pounds of cotton to donate or to give its equivalent in money. This was to be used for improvement of buildings and grounds. Nothing was perhaps more to be expected that the constant improvement of building facilities. Minutes of business meetings are often lacking in details, but there is enough information to give an overall view of developments. Again we let the minutes speak for themselves: 1955, 3rd Sunday in December. Church “voted to adopt the floor plans for a new church building.” 1956, January…..”voted to cement foundation and floor for a new church building.” 1956, (no date) “the church voted this month to start the new building program. 1956 (no date) “ the new church building was started in August, 1956 with much being done during the latter part of 1956.” 1957, 3rd Sunday in March Church “voted to file application to Mission Board for aid in building program.” 1958, January, “The old building has been sold for &450.00 and added to the building fund.” 1958 “First of June, 1958 was the first services in the new church. 1st Sunday in July was first sermon in the new church….” 1958 New pews were installed. 1961 The Church voted to install overhead fans. 1961 The “pulpit finished and varnished” and a new piano was procured. 1961 October, Floor covering was installed. 1964 November 29, Church dedication services were held. 1969 March 9, The Church voted to install rest rooms and a water system. These projects necessitated the drilling of a well. 1979 The Church voted to install a central heating and cooling system. 1982 March, Church plumbing connected to community water system. Eliminating need for well and pump systems. 1989 A drive-thru breezeway was added to the back of the church. 1990 The Church voted to accept a gift of &10,000.00 from a former member for a fellowship hall. Also, during the same year there was a donation for a church spire. Both the hall and spire were in place within months. Other additions and improvements kept the buildings in good rpair and adequate for church needs. According to records in the office of the Clerk of the Chancery Court of Neshoba County, land was legally and officially procured for Oak Grove Baptist Church as follows: “This indenture, made the 12th of September A.D. 1910 between S.F. and G.L. Taylor, of the first part, and the Deacons of Oak Grove Baptist Church of the second part…” So, some five and one half acres of land, “to include church and graveyard and church grounds front and back” were transferred to the church group. In addition to the above the document also included the signatures of E. J. Taylor and L.P. Taylor. This deed was “duly recorded” by the Clerk of the Chancery Court on July 23, 1930. Changes to these holdings included agreements with Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Gentry in 1955 and with Mr. Colbert L. Agent and wife Mary in the year 1978. As far as can be ascertained from church redords, church administration has usually been conducted during either a stated or a called meeting, following in general, procedures set forth in the general statement of organization. This statement known as “Rules of Decorum” is quoted: 1st. Each conference shall be opened and closed with singing and prayer. 2nd The moderator and clerk shall be chosen by a majority of the members present. 3rd A door shall be opened for the reception of members, and shall stand open till the close of the meeting. 4th The moderator shall be the judge of order, and shall keep good order, and shall be entitled to the same privilege of speaking as any other member, but not to vote unless it be necessary to decide the question under discussion. If he rise to speak, he shall call on some brother to take the chair. 5th All questions (or matters) brought before this Church shall be introduced by motion and second, and if seconded shall be open for discussion unless it be withdrawn by the mover or his second, and when subject has been taken up and reasonable time allowed for discussion the moderator shall take the question by yeas and nays. 6th This Church shall at the close of each associational year proceed to make call for pastor and clerk, which call shall be decided by a majority of all the members present. 7th Any member wishing to speak shall arise and address the moderator. Only one member shall be allowed to speak at a time. Speaker will not be interrupted while speaking unless he departs from the subject or make personal reflections. 8th No person shall speak more that one time upon any subject until all who wish to speak have an opportunity and no more that twice upon any subject without the consent of the Church. 9th Every subject introduced for discussion shall be decided before another be offered unless it be laid over by motion and second. 10th This Church shall in all cases be governed by a majority of the members present except it be in the reception of members, then a unanimous vote shall be required. These rules were generally followed and served as guide for the Church through its years of service. Not much has changed. However, in the year 1990 a new constitution and by-laws were adopted, and during the same year the Church was incorporated. The church conference has given way to business meetings and Roberts Rules of Order have for the most part, become the “Rules of Decorum.” It must be noted that on September 26, 1943 Oak Grove Baptist Church voted to withdraw from the Pearl Valley Association and subsequently became a member of the Neshoba Association. In 1941, the Unified Budget System was adopted. Later changes include participation in the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program, and the adoption of the Southern Baptist Church Annuity Plan. The reader may well ask how the church body has extended itself to the community and beyond, and how it has been a servant and a helper. Church minutes throughout the years are a rich source of information for evidences of Oak Grove’s outreach. Inspiration and teaching--flowing from pulpit to people: Sunday School, Sunday night training sessions, Wednesday night Bible study and prayer meetings, special study courses, Vacation Bible School, cottage prayer meetings--all these have contributed to the edification of individuals and of the church body as a whole. Strong Emphasis has been given to revival services and, usually, the ensuing baptismal service. Oak Grove Baptist Church has assisted individuals who have suffered grevious losses. Also, other church groups have been assisted in overcoming their disasters This Church has been generous in its support of the Gideons, the Food and Clothing Bank of the Associational Baptist Center, and the Baptist Children’s Home. The latter has been a special project of the Woman’s Missionary Union. Perhaps Oak Grove’s forte and its most far-reaching activity is its constant support of the Southern Baptist Convention’s cooperation program. Through this program, Oak Grove’s influence extends to the state, the nation, and throughout the world. Nor is this all--Oak Grove Baptist Church has long supported the State, the Home and the Foreign Mission drives on a regular, yearly basis. Available data, from minutes, notes, financial reports, interviews, etc., indicate a century of consistency in oak Grove’s resolve to obey every command of the Holy Scriptures as pertains to the duties, responsibilities, and privileges of an established church group. Records do not tell us whether there was always complete agreement among the membership; we cannot know whether every project was supported enthusiastically, but we can know that the commandment to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you ….” (Mt. 28:19-20, KJV) was carried out, and we can know there is no suggestion of failure to remember these words of the Master: “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of one of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Mt.26:40, KJV) Someone has stated that man is what he believes. Certainly, history teaches us that often man acts on his belief--right or wrong. Recorded history indicates that the greatest number of man’s actions, collectively or individually, have resulted from his religious beliefs. From the minutes of Oak Grove Baptist Church of 1892, we have insight into what the church fathers claimed as their spiritual beliefs. This essay concludes with what the fathers called their “Articles of Faith.” Quote: Article 1. We believe in one God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. 2nd We believe the scriptures of the Old, New Testaments were given by the inspiration of God, the only true rule of faith and practice. 3rd We believe in the fall of Adam from his original rectitude, and in him all his posterity, in consequence of which we inherit a fallen and depraved nature, and of man’s inability to restore himself into the favor of God. 4th We believe that God hath loved his people with and everlasting love; that He chose therein Christ before the foundation of the world, that He calleth them with a holy calling, and being justified alone through the righteousness of Christ imparted to them, are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. 5th We believe there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who by the satisfaction He made to the law and justice, in becoming an offering for sin, hath by His most precious blood, become the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. 6th We believe that the Gospel is God’s appointed means of calling sinners to the knowledge of the truth, that He has commanded it to be preached to every creature, and requires all men to repeat, believe and obey. 7th We believe the Gospel is made effectual by the operation of the Holy Spirit, and that the sinner, in order to be saved, must be born again. 8th We believe that good works are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, and are evidences of a gracious state, and all believers are bound to obey every command of God from a principal of love. 9th We believe in the resurrection of the dead, a general judgement that the happiness of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal. 10th We believe that the Gospel, with all its obligations and privileges and blessings, has been committed to the Church and it is specially enjoined to make known to every creature, and that a risen and ascended Savior has promised His presence to the end of the world.” End quote. Finis coronat opus. Potpourri An interesting note from the 1956 minutes is quoted in part “…one member of many years ago, who has been excluded, wrote in a confession of his sins, and of the Lord’s forgiveness…” Understandable, the Church also forgave him. In October, 1941, the Church adopted its new budget for the following year. An amount of $250.00 was appointed for the ‘41-‘42 fiscal year. Of that amount, $140.00 went to the pastor, $10.00 for local expenses, $52.00 for literature and training, $48.00 for missions of all kinds. In the original building at the cemetery site, a stairway from the first floor to the second floor. The second floor was Woodman-of-the-World territory; regular meetings were held there for a number of years. Woodmen contributed substantially to improvements in the church building. Until the present building was erected, there was no place for children other that in the sanctuary with their parents, or on the outside in a parked wagon. Babies and toddlers frequently slept on a folded quilt on the floor. We can only guess what was uppermost in the minds of one couple who went home leaving their sleeping child on the floor! Neither can we know what all transpired when another couple arrived home with a sleeping child to find that the father has placed the child in the wrong wagon. We can easily calculate the trend of thought on a minister’s mind when he called on a visiting minister to offer the benediction: “Now don’t pray one of those long prayers because a good dinner is waiting.” Before automobiles became numerous, people came to church by foot, wagon, buggy, or horseback, Wheeled vehicles will park and so will horses and mules but the latter have to be fed. So, the animals were parked by being tied to a nearby tree; the owners simply brought along feed for the noon-time meal. It has been said that some ministers would stop preaching whenever the beasts began braying for their feed. It has also been said that some owners would not give their animals their breakfast feed so they would bray earlier. At the school site, early church-goers were afforded an ample supply of water by a nearby spring. In the early days at the cemetery site, a well was dug; but this was not a long-lived facility, so thirsty ones visited a nearby neighbor’s house for thirst quenching. Eventually, a well and pump system was installed and finally connected to the community water system. Oak Grove has never owned a baptistery. As a result, baptisms were conducted at a nearby church. However, the greatest number of candidates were baptized in the Pearl River, Joe Fusky Creek, nearby ponds or in a swimming pool. First musical instrument: Foot-powered organ First new member in the present building : John Peter Gauda, now a minister. First funeral service conducted in new building: Mr. Lee Coghlan. Licensed and/or ordained by Oak Grove as minister of the Gospel: Wayne Burkes, Lavon Moore, R.L. Breland. Known surviving deacons ordained by Oak Grove: J.T. Hill, Jr., M.L. Hill, R.P. Lane and Theo Willis. Known surviving first generation descendants of charter members: Birdie Willis Ethridge, Zula Willis Lane. A good church building should house numerous useful activities. Oak Grove has not been slack in this. The following uses confirmed by minutes: Preaching Services, Business Meetings, Revivals, Weddings, Funerals, Sunday School Classes, Training Sessions, Associational Meetings, Ordination Services, Fellowship Gatherings, Auxiliary Meetings (W.M.U.), Anniversary Celebrations.
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If you have questions or problems with this site, email the Web Master: LeFloris Lyon. I am unable to do your personal research. I do not live in Neshoba County MS and do not have access to additional records.
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