Our History

Central Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church

Rooted in faith. Strengthened through generations of worship, leadership, service, and community.

Prepared from the 132nd Anniversary historical record • August 2019

A Legacy of Faith and Perseverance

For more than a century, Central Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church has stood as a witness of faith, perseverance, and Christian service. The church's recorded history reaches back to 1886, when Deacon Frank Murray, Sr. donated land for the sanctuary.

In 1887, the congregation was established as Central Oak Grove, having been formally known as Goodwill Baptist Church, and a church was built on the Old Baynard Tombs site along Highway 278.

Through changing times and generations, the congregation continued to grow. A new church was constructed near the present location in 1952; the edifice was modernized in 1964; and the current building was dedicated in 1986. Each milestone reflects the commitment of members who gave of their time, talents, resources, and faith to preserve a strong place of worship for generations to come.

Milestones

Milestones in Our Journey

Key moments that helped shape Central Oak Grove across generations.

1886

Deacon Frank Murray, Sr. donated land for the sanctuary.

1887

Central Oak Grove was established, formally known as Goodwill Baptist Church. A church was built on the Old Baynard Tombs site along Highway 278.

1952

Another church was constructed near the present location.

1964

The church edifice was modernized.

1986

The current church building was dedicated.

2018

The Gullah Ministry sponsored the first Gullah Camp in July, supporting Gullah Geechee cultural heritage revival and preservation.

2019

The church celebrated its 132nd anniversary under the theme "A Purpose Driven Church…Blessed by God," with Acts 2:42-47 as the anniversary scripture.

Leadership Legacy

A Legacy of Pastoral Leadership

Pastors and interim ministers who helped guide the congregation through seasons of worship, growth, change, and ministry.

Reverend James H. Fair

Pineland, South Carolina • Served 25 years

Reverend C. B. Chaneyfield

Ridgeland, South Carolina • 1933-1942

Reverend Peter J. Scott

Ridgeland, South Carolina • 1942-1970

Reverend Henry L. Jones

Ridgeland, South Carolina • 1970-1993

Reverend Al Chatman

Interim Pastor • 1993-1994

Reverend James R. Watkins, Sr.

1994-1997

Interim Ministers

1997-1998

Pastor Louis Johnson

Began serving in 1998 and was pastor at the time of the August 2019 anniversary record.

Faithful Service

Faithful Service Across Generations

The history of Central Oak Grove is also the history of faithful members who served as deacons, deaconesses, church mothers, clerks, trustees, musicians, teachers, ministry leaders, and volunteers. Their service strengthened the spiritual and organizational life of the church and helped extend its ministry into the community.

Deacons remembered for faithful service throughout the years include Mike Bryan, Arthur Murray, Sr., Richard Chisolm, Frank Murray, Sr., Samuel Ferguson, Sr., George Washington, William Ferguson, Sr., Henry Wiley, Luke Graham, Julius Williams, John Holmes, Sr., and Perry Williams.

Women have also held important roles in the life of the church. The 2019 historical record recognizes church mothers, church clerks, deaconesses, ministry leaders, and other women whose service helped sustain worship, administration, care, fellowship, and Christian formation.

Ministry Life

Ministry, Worship, and Cultural Heritage

By the church's 132nd anniversary in 2019, ministry life reflected a broad commitment to worship, discipleship, fellowship, health, youth, culture, and communication.

Deacon & Deaconess Ministries

Trustee Ministry

Gospel Choir Ministry

Dance Ministry

Gullah Ministry

Media Ministry

Health Ministry

Christian Education Ministry

Hospitality Ministry

Pastor's Aid Ministry

Usher Ministry

Women's Ministry

Youth Ministry

Summer Reading Camp

Preserving Gullah Geechee Heritage

A particularly meaningful part of this ministry legacy is the church's Gullah Ministry. Under the historical record associated with Dr. Louise Miller Cohen, the ministry supported Gullah Geechee cultural heritage revival and preservation and sponsored the first Gullah Camp in July 2018.

"A Purpose Driven Church…Blessed by God"

In August 2019, Central Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its 132nd anniversary with this theme, grounded in Acts 2:42-47. The theme captured a central truth in the church's story: Central Oak Grove has endured and grown because generations of believers remained devoted to worship, fellowship, service, teaching, and the work God entrusted to the congregation.

Today, the church honors that heritage by remembering those who came before, serving faithfully in the present, and preparing the next generation to continue the work of ministry. Central Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church remains committed to being a Christ-centered community where faith is nurtured, people are served, and God is glorified.

Historical Archive

Historical Leadership & Ministry Record

Reference note: The names below are preserved from the church's August 2019 132nd Anniversary historical presentation. They should be treated as a dated historical roster, not as a statement of current leadership.

Deacon Ministry - 2019 Historical Record

Deacon Daniel Ferguson, Jr. - Chairman Emeritus
Deacon David Murray - Deacon Ministry Chairman
Deacon Michael Bell
Deacon Irvin Campbell
Deacon Richard Jenkins, Sr.
Deacon Albert Mitchell (listed as deceased in the 2019 record)
Deacon Jonathan Murray
Deacon Herman Neal
Deacon Jessie Williams

Deaconesses - 2019 Historical Record

Sister Gail Bell
Sister Carolyn Campbell
Sister Renee Jenkins
Sister Gwendolyn Murray
Sister Diane Neal
Sister Rose Williams

Women / Church Mothers / Clerks - Historical Record

Sister Julia Ferguson - Church Mother
Sister Sandra White-Jones - Church Clerk
Sister Florrie Nicholson - Church Mother Emeritus
Sister Sharon White - Church Clerk
Mother Daisy Ferguson
Sister Cynthia Sutton - Church Clerk
Mother Lillie Varner

Trustees - 2019 Historical Record

Brother Alex Brown - Chairperson
Sister Lee Ola Jones
Brother Gary Carter
Sister Helen Knighton
Brother William Dent
Sister Cynthia Sutton
Sister Stephanie Frasier
Brother Richard Williams
Brother Phil Gee

Gospel Choir Ministry - 2019 Historical Record

Sister Gail Bell - Minister of Music
Sister Vanessa Williams - Choir Director
Sister Chydonna Chambers - Choir Director
Sister Tracy Mitchell - President
Jasmine Campbell - Drummer
Jashawn Frazier - Drummer
Harold White - Drummer

Dance Ministry - 2019 Historical Record

Instructors: Vanessa Roberson-Williams and Chydonna Thurston
Dancers: Jocelyn Harper, Sharvae Natravia, Chynna Jazmine, Amani Jahmaya, and Mhakayla Amaria

Gullah Ministry - 2019 Historical Record

Dr. Louise Miller Cohen
Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Revival and Preservation
Sponsored the First Gullah Camp - July 2018

Media Ministry - 2019 Historical Record

Sister Tashia Aiken
Sister Ebony Perry
Sister Jennifer Snider
Brother Sherrod Thurston
Brother DesJuan Clark
Sister Gwen Taylor

Health Ministry - 2019 Historical Record

Sister Carolyn Campbell
Sister Linda Ferguson
Sister Duchett Hylton
Sister Diane Neal

Other Ministries - 2019 Historical Record

Christian Education Ministry - Deacon Campbell
Hospitality Ministry - Brother Richard Williams
Pastor's Aid Ministry - Sister Stephanie Frasier
Usher Ministry - Sister Denolis Polite
Women's Ministry - Sister Duchett Hylton
Youth Ministry - Sister Tosha Suggs and Sister Linda Ferguson
Summer Reading Camp - Sister Linda Ferguson