Oak Grove Christian Church

History of Oak Grove Christian Church


In 1979, Mary Louise Harris Phillips began to sense the call of God to witness the love of Jesus Christ to a hurting world. After much prayer and seeking direction, she began in-home prayer meetings and Bible studies with her friend, Sister Annie Ellison.

In 1984, Mary Phillips was called to the pastorate, and she began a church at Bonner’s Lane in Greenville. She began the church with one family—Cecil and Velma Jones and their two children. From this point, God gave her the vision to “Go Forth and Posses the Land.” Once the vision came, then the provision came as well. When Pastor Phillips was asked to do Bible studies at various places, little did she realize that the students would become a part of the local body that God was calling her to oversee. While on Bonner’s Lane, God began to add to the church such as should be saved; and the need became evident for a larger place of worship. A building at 1404 West 14th Street became the next place of worship for the growing congregation. The first Bible study was held on October 21, 1987. Along with the new building came a new name—Oak Grove Christian Center—an interdenominational church.

Within two years, God had filled the building to overflowing, and there was a need for a larger facility. On February 9, 1989, the congregation moved to a new location at 407 Mumford Road. God placed the group at this place and at this time to tell the neighborhood and the unsaved that Jesus died on the cross for the remission of sins and to tell them that He loves them so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die just for them.

The church continued to tell the neighborhood the good news of the gospel, but some disturbing things began to occur—drug use, illicit behaviors, and all types of ungodly activities began to be noticeable in the neighborhood surrounding the church. It appeared to be a Goliath to the natural eye, but God had a David waiting for the right time. Through faith, the determined congregation did not draw back—they continued to persist in prayer that the neighborhood would be a safe place to witness and worship.

In September of 1999, prayers were answered in the most unusual way. Hurricane Floyd came with unprecedented floodwaters that devastated the entire area surrounding the church. All properties, including the church building, were condemned. As a result, the congregation worshipped at several different locations until a temporary house of worship was set up in the garage of Donnie and Vickie Phillips. This unlikely place of worship was a blessing to the Body of Christ, and the Spirit of the Lord moved mightily week after week.

The congregation moved back into the building at 407 Mumford Road on Easter Sunday 2001. Oak Grove has become the House of Refuge for hurting people to come and be nurtured and restored in the Lord. The pastor, ministerial staff, and congregation corporately “look unto Jesus” because we have come to know that only Christ Jesus is able to keep us, and in Him we live and move and have our being.