Why Oak Grove
Our history is rooted in an ongoing struggle for freedom and equality
The African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded by Richard Allen, a 27-year-old freed slave who was a man of dignity, courage, insight and faith. He took a collection of ugly social conditions – discrimination, dehumanization, exploitation and religious persecution – and used them to ignite in blacks a determination to not only be first-class Christians, but first-class Americans as well.
After buying his freedom from human bondage in 1783, Allen became increasingly discontent with the religious bondage that was prevalent at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pa., where he and others of African descent were allowed to fellowship with whites. Fed up with arbitrary policies that restricted religious freedom, Allen organized the Free African Society on April 12, 1787, to abolish slavery and to help blacks help themselves.
This commitment to self–help was put to the test in November 1787, when Allen led a walkout of blacks from a Sunday worship service at St. George’s. The group of dissentients left after they were told they could not pray openly and freely, even though they were doing so in their own segregated gallery in the sanctuary. They quickly decided to establish their own church, and under Allen’s leadership purchased an old blacksmith’s shop, which they moved to a lot at the corner of Sixth and Lombard streets in Philadelphia. They named their new place of worship Bethel A.M.E. Church. Mother Bethel, as it is also known, stands today as a historic site in the City of Brotherly Love.
Richard Allen continues to be revered for his determination to foster self-help, social recognition and humane treatment for all people. In 1816 he was elected the first bishop of the A.M.E. Church at the first General Conference of this new denomination.
Our church is passionately committed to people and progress
In the tradition of Richard Allen, Oak Grove is a church that is committed to reaching out to others. Like Allen, Pastor Robert Brumfield firmly believes in uninhibited worship, self–help, Christian education, human equality and social responsibility.
Oak Grove has a rich history of blessing God by attending to the needs of God’s people. The tradition began in 1920, when the church got started as a Sunday School class in the home of Mrs. Cornelia Davis. This legacy of service continues to this day.
Oak Grove has achieved much in its 80 year history, including building its present church home in 1968 and expanding the facility to include an education wing in 1987. But more than brick andmortar accomplishments, Oak Grove has been instrumental in changing lives, expanding the community of faith and building the body of Christ.
The church has donated more than $1 million to the poor and needy through its annual “Come Home for Christmas” Celebration. More than $3 million has gone to support mission work and outreach projects in the U.S. and abroad. Hundreds of women who are recovering from substance abuse or physical violence are helped each year by the L.I.F.T. Women’s Resource Center. And young boys are trained to become respectful, productive members of society through the Young Prophets Academy.
Ours is a warm and friendly congregation of talented men and women who love to give. More than 50 percent of our 3,000 members are tithers. Their generosity over the years has enabled us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and house the homeless.
These practices — and many others that impact the human condition — remain our focus under the dynamic and nurturing leadership of Dr. Brumfield, who was appointed Oak Grove’s 10th pastor on October 14, 2000. With his guidance, this church is committed to touching lives and building communities through evangelism, worship, instruction and fellowship.
Our desire is to serve your needs!
Oak Grove is a progressive church that offers a wide array of ministries and organizations to meet the diverse requirements of those who need to be served – or want to volunteer their services. We encourage you to experience one or more of the ministries and organizations listed below.
We Serve the Needs of Children and Young People:
Boy Scouts, Children’s Bible Study, Church School, Girl Scouts, Heaven on Earth Ministry, Solid Rock Café, Sunbeam Choir, Young Prophets Academy, Youth Usher Board
We Serve the Needs of Our Elders:
Deaconess Board, Master’s Men Nehemiah Project, Senior Dignitaries Ministry, Stewardess Board, Transportation Ministry
We Serve the Needs of Families:
Health Commission, Married Couples & Family Ministry, Singles Ministry, Sports & Recreation Ministry
We Serve the Needs of Men:
L.I.F.T. for Men, Lighthouse Prayer Vigil, Master’s Men Ministry, Men’s Day, Men’s Mountaintop, Spiritual Partners
We Serve the Needs of Women:
Barbara Evans Prayer Band, L.I.F.T. Outreach Ministry, Ministry to Women, Women’s Day, Nancy Marsh Missionary Society, Womanist Caregivers
We Serve the Needs of the Community:
Caring and Sharing, Come Home for Christmas, Community Affairs Ministry, Commission on Christian Social Relations, L.I.F.T. Women’s Resource Center & After Care, Prison Ministry
We Serve Your Need for Comfort and Counsel:
Funeral Ministry, Ministerial Team, Visitation Ministry, We Care Ministry
We Serve Your Need for Spiritual, Cultural and Academic Growth and Development:
Bible Institute, Oak Grove After School Tutorial Program, Elizabeth Crews Scholarship Fund, Kwanzaa Celebration, Lay Organization, New Members Ministry, Sankofa
We Serve Your Need for Fellowship, Praise and Worship:
Altar Guild, Mass Choir, Courtesy Guild, Nu Life Choir, Praise Team, Liturgical Dance Ministry, Media Ministry, New Dimension Choir, Richard & Sarah Allen Usher Board, Senior Usher Board, Shepherd’s Care, Sunday Worship Services
This is the right place. And now is the right time for you to join Oak Grove!
This is a church where God reigns, Jesus saves and love abounds! We welcome you to Oak Grove and are delighted that you chose to worship with us. If you don’t have a church home, we invite you to try Oak Grove.