Oak Grove Baptist Church

Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church History
The Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church started under the divine direction and anointing of the Holy Spirit. Nine believers in Christ gathered at 1 Park Avenue, Troy, NY, the home of Rev. and Mrs. Robinson for prayer and direction from God. The nine members were Deacon and Mrs. Chad Holmes, Deacon and Mrs. John York, Deacon and Mrs. Joseph Banks and Deacon and Mrs. Spencer Wallace along with Rev. and Mrs. Robinson and Dorothy Daniels. After much prayer, revelation was given to us from God to go forth with a new mission. The new mission was named the Oak Grove Baptist Mission, by the late Deacon John York.
Our next step was to be recognized by other Missionary Baptist Churches. Under the direction of Past Moderator of the Hudson River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association, Rev. William Callahan; a committee was formed to examine our church covenant and books to make sure we were in line with other Missionary Baptist Churches and New York State Law. After a favorable report to the association from the Fact Finding Committee, we were accepted into the Association as a Missionary Baptist Church during one of our Association Sessions held at Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Glens Falls, NY; Rev. Ernest Hamilton was the Pastor. It was then that we became a member of the Hudson River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association.
Under the leadership of Rev. Robinson and officers of the church, we found a place of worship on Fifth Avenue and Hutton Street in Troy NY. Special thanks to the late Deacon Spencer Wallace for finding us our first place of worship. God blessed the ministry of the church through the proclamation of the word from the original eight members to about 50 members in less than six months. Oak Grove was compelled to seek a larger facility because of the growth of the church and the lack of space. The spirit of God led us to our present location at 514 Seventh Avenue which was owned by the Oakwood Christian Center. After prayerful consideration and Godly negotiation we were blessed to purchase this edifice for $10,000 less than the asking price. We were also blessed to burn the mortgage in record time. The preacher for our Mortgage burning Ceremony was Rev. Dr. Allen A Stanley, then president of the Empire Baptist State Convention, Inc. and Pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church, Troy, NY.
The church soon became a member of the Empire State Baptist Convention, Inc. where Rev. Dr. Allen A Stanley was President, and the National Baptist Convention, USA. Where Dr. D.V. Jemison was then President.
From the original nine charter members, the membership has grown to over 300 members on the roll. Oak Grove has licensed three ministers, two of which was ordained by our Pastor; Rev. Mary E. Wallace, who is now the Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Albany NY; Rev. Constance D Knight, who now serves as Pastor of Welcome Chapel Baptist Church, Albany NY, he also licensed the late, Minister Leroy Boyd.
Oak Grove has the following ministries, Deacon and Deaconess Ministry, Missionary Ministry, Trustee Ministry, Music Ministry, Usher’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Laymen’s Ministry, Sunday School Ministry, and our Outreach Ministry.
Our Pastor has served as Vice Moderator and Moderator of the Hudson River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association. He has also served on the Resolution Committee and served as the Chair of that Committee as well as the New Bodies Committee.
Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church has served the City of Troy through outreach. Our strongest motto is serve and be faithful now, to be glorified and rewarded later. Every Praise is To Our God, who has kept his promise. He has never left us nor forsaken us, therefore all that we are, all that we have achieved and all that we will ever do is because of God’s goodness towards us. To God be the Glory for all the good things he has done.