Muhlenberg County Kentucky
Church Records
Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church
Oak Grove to Observe 126th Anniversary
Depoy - On Saturday, September 19, 1846 at 11 a.m., the Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church was organized and to be hereafter known by this name. The church membership at the time of its organization was 16 and services were conducted on Saturday and Sunday once per month. Brother Richard Jones was called as the first pastor.
In the year 1901 a new church structure was erected at Depoy, Kentucky, at the same site of the old building. The new building was dedicated in May of 1902 and was debt free by September of the same year. The Church membership has grown to 128 with Rev. W. P. Henry as pastor. In 1911 the church services were conducted on a half-time basis.
In 1947, seven Sunday School rooms, baptistery, restroom and storage facilities were added to the church structure. The Rev. Drexel Hankins was now serving as the pastor. In 1951 the church services were conducted on a full-time basis.
In 1954 the church built a new parsonage with the Rev. Toletis Vincent as the pastor. As the church continued to grow, new facilities were deemed necessary. In 1960, four Sunday School rooms and a kitchen were added to the present church structure. Bro. James Vincent was pastor at this time and in 1963, under Brother James' ministry, a new brick sanctuary was erected.
In April of 1970, Rev. Robert E. Noffsinger was called as the pastor of the church. In 1971, a church bus was purchased and the bus ministry began. Seeing the need of church related recreational activities a mens', womens', and boys' softball team was started, land was leased, and a ball park was completed. In 1972, the entire parking area of the church was blacktopped.
As Oak Grove continues to grow through the blessings of the Lord, we can reflect back over the past 126 years but we realize that there are battles to be fought and new victories to be gained for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The number of professions of faith and baptisms from 1846-1972 have been 806. There has been 464 joining by letter, 24 by restoration and 3 by statement. The present church membership is now 238.
We invite you to attend the services of our homecoming, September 3, beginning with the 10:00 Sunday School hour. There will be a potluck meal, gospel singing by the Heltsley Family, slides of the Holy Land by Brother James Vincent, prayer, praise and testimony. We welcome you to each of our services. The church with a warm welcome and a friendly greeting.
Source: “Oak Grove to Observe 126th Anniversary.” The Leader-News [Greenville, KY], 23 Aug 1972.
Updated April 26, 2020