History of Oak Grove Baptist Church

The earliest record that we have for Oak Grove Baptist Church is a Deed on file at the Rowan County Registry of Deeds Office (Book 79, Page 130) for 2 acres of land that the church currently occupies at 1205 South Main Street in China Grove. In Sept 1895, three trustees signed this deed for Oak Grove. The Church was named for the Grove of Oak Trees on the property at that time.

The first pastor was W.H. Harrison, who served from 1895 to 1921. The structure was a small building constructed using wood slabs.

Reverend P.F. Long became pastor and that structure was replaced with a slightly larger wood slab building. Rev Long served for 1 year until 1922.

Reverend C.H. Hawkins assumed the pastorate in 1922 and led the church for 58 years resigning in 1980. In 1954 under the leadership of Reverend Hawkins, the structure was enlarged and the exterior bricked. In 1970, an addition was added that served as our Christian Education Building and included office space and a kitchen. In 1980, the sanctuary was remodeled again. Under the leadership of Reverend Hawkins, Reverend W. C. Wilkerson was ordained as Assistant Pastor in 1945. Reverend Charlie Blakeney was ordained in 1980.

On the 30th day of July, 1974, the corporation then known as Cannon Mills Company gave as a gift to Oak Grove, 4 acres of land. This property located off Harry Street in the community known as Westside is used as a cemetery.

From 1980 to 1983 the congregation was served by Rev. Charlie Blakeney, Rev John Garrison, and Rev Robert J. Morrow Jr.

In 1984, Reverend James I Smith became pastor. For the next 27 years, the church grew and received some upgrades. In 1991, the sanctuary floor was enforced and covered, a handicap accessible ramp was constructed, new Vinyl flooring was installed in the Christian Education Building, new gas pack furnace was installed, a 750 gallon Baptismal Pool was installed, and new steps at the church front entrance as well as planters where constructed.

In 1995, the church purchased an adjacent property and completed a project to demolish the structure on that property and constructed a parking lot.

Reverend Smith resigned in 2011. Minister Stanford Isom, Deacon Stanley Rice and various other visiting ministers began delivering the message at Oak Grove. In 2012, the church completed construction of the 3400 square feet James I Smith Fellowship Hall.

The Rev Dr. Keith Curry became the pastor assumed leadership in Sept 2013. The following year new gas pack heat and air units were installed in the Sanctuary and offices area. The mortgage for our fellowship hall was paid in full in February 2016. Dr. Curry has instituted a children’s church learning experience and is currently upgrading ministries to a 21st century model.