Oak Grove History

October 24, 2004

(newest updates in red)

I received the following information from Joyce Fields Blankenship - one of our former
members:

Historical Sketch
of
Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church
(Fieldstown)

On September 11, 1935, Reverend Floyd Burrell, Deacons Rufus Franklin and
Charlie LaFayette Long and 11 other charter members met and organized the Oak
Grove Free Will Baptist Church. of Fieldstown.  It was about one-half mile
west of the present site, under a bush arbor.  Reverend Burrell, education limited
to home studies, became the first pastor, remaining one year.  Services held under
this bush arbor for one month.
     Deacon Charlie LaFayette Long leased the present site on October 1, 1935, in
Fieldstown from the Sloss, Sheffield Steel and Iron Company. The lease was $5.00 
per year.  Here, services were carried on under another bush arbor until 1937.
     In 1937, their first and only building was erected but not completed.  It is of
Tabernacle style (box frame) unpainted, boarded doors and windows.  
The interior is neither ceiled nor floored.  The interiors had hand made pulpit, benches 
and a pump organ.  The building will be completed when they are financially able.
     Present church roll shows 9 active members and a Sunday School attendance of 47.  
In 1938, the present pastor came, Reverend Lee Hanks of Adamsville. He has limited 
schooling, but is loved by everyone here for his fine preaching.   We hold services here
once a month.  Under his leadership the church is sure to grow and prosper.

(Note: Among the nine charter members there were:   Flora Long, Charlie L. Long, 
Hallie Long, Rufus Franklin.

 

The first pastor that I had there was Bro. Rush Franklin.  This was in the early forties.  He 
lived in Acipico.  He was married to Carrie and they had three children:   Belton (was the 
oldest), Ira, and Starlin.  Starlin was the young daughter.     After he left there was, Bro. 
Lonnie Goodwin.  Bro. Goodwin was from Leeds. I can't remember his wife's name, but I can
get it.  They had one daughter and her name was Margaret.
After Bro. Goodwin left, me and mom started to Church at Mineral Springs Baptist.  We were
away for several years and when we started back James Pickett was pastor.  Bro. Pickett  
was there when the church burned, which was about 1952, 53 ??   Then Roy Johnson came 
and his wife was Christine.  He baptized me. I believe Dave Franks took his place.  I know that
Floyd Burrell was the first pastor, which is in the corner stone.

Before Rev. Rush Franklin there was a pastor named Bro Mitchell.

Bro. Bates Pastored the church twice.    James Picket was before Dave Franks.  After Franks 
left Bro. Bates came and stayed several years.  (His first term)   Then I believe Jimmy 
Youngblood, then Kirby Jo Goodwin.

We are planning to do a church history page, but
are in need of some information.  If you have any information 
that you would like to share about Oak Grove's history, please 
send it to:  oakgrovefreewillbaptistchurch@yahoo.com.  Thanks

 

We are trying to get a list of the previous pastors

and maybe some background information on them.  If

you know of any others or the times that they

served, please let us know.  We believe that

*Roy Johnson was pastor.  Could anyone tell us who 
preached either before or after him?

*possibly in the early 50's.

 

Previous Pastors

Dave Franks

James (??) Pickett

Julius J. Stabb

Jimmy Youngblood

Kirby Joe Godwin (late 60's or early 70's)

Lee Hanks

Louie Bates

David Johnson

L. B. Hallmark

Gary Creel

Jim Martin