Oakland Baptist Church
Oakland Church Sketch by Jack O. Rivers
Shows The Church In The Late 1920's
Oakland Church 1940
Oakland Baptist Church was organized in 1915 in a little farm house south on Highway 145 near where the church site is now. It was constituted as a church in 1916. The Reverend J. K. Hair was the first pastor. Hopewell was the mother church from which Oakland was begun. There were ten charter members. During the period from 1916 to 1919 a small building was erected through contributions made by faithful members of the church. Through the leadership of the other pastors who came to Oakland, the church was able to add additional buildings. During the tenure of the Reverend C. J. Riley, who was pastor for 20 years, the church became a full-fledged church with the organizations that most churches have a planned church budget, a Training Union Program, and the establishment of a building fund. The churchs growth continued under Reverend Wade Miles, who was pastor for ten years (1961 to 1971), with the building of a new sanctuary and five Sunday school rooms. This was accomplished through the dedication and hard work of many members who wanted a beautiful place to worship. Our fellowship hall was remodeled in 2000 and additional new furnishings were added in 2003. The church continues to thrive under the leadership of Reverend Grady (Buck) Gulledge, who has been at Oakland Baptist for 12 years. Oakland Baptist Church has sent twelve men to spread the Gospel proving that even from meager beginnings, great things can be accomplished. Pastors of Oakland Baptist Church
Reverend J. K. Hair 1916 1919
Reverend J. H. Hilderth 1919 1921
Reverend D. A. Brown 1921 1928
Reverend Jarvis Jacobs 1928 1929
Reverend Daniel Purvis 1930 1940
Reverend C. J. Riley 1941 1961
Reverend Wade Miles 1961 1971
Reverend Douglas Stowe 1972 1979
Reverend Cecil Smith 1979 1983
Reverend Pete Gregory 1984 1987
Reverend Bruce Rockwell 1987
Reverend D. W. Carpenter 1988 1991
Reverend Grady (Buck) Gulledge 1991 to present