Rev. Jim Smith and Rev. E. C. Fullingim organized Oak Grove Methodist Episcopal Church South in 1878. The following is a list of charter and pioneer members:

CHARTER MEMBERS: Thomas J. Moore and wife,Mary L. Moore; Martha Wilton and daughter, Jessie Wilton;J. P. Fullingim and wife M. Ann Fullingim; Rev. E. C.Fullingim and wife Sallie Fullingim; Dave George, Bob Rodgers, Spencer Badgett and wife Addie Badgett; Mr.McBride and wife and two daughters.

PIONEER MEMBERS: L. K. Pounds and wife Katherine, Archer B. Fullingim and wife Virginia Fullingim, Jeanett Fullingim, Henry Farmer and wife Nancy Farmer. M.L. Perdue and wife Mattie Perdue, H. Chitwood and wife Sarah Chitwood., Peyton L. Wade and wife Jessie WiltonWade, Paump Champion Antoinette Steward and daughter Mattie, J. R. Parish and wife Belle Parish, Rufus Goodwin and wife Mary Goodwin, Nannie Perdue, Irvin Freeman and wife Emma Freeman, Bob Stewart and wife Sallie Stewart and two sons, Ben and Elisha Stewart, Alfred Doss and wife May Doss and daughter Sarah Doss.

The church and cemetery nearby was located on land belonging to J. P. (Uncle Jess) Fullingim about ten miles northeast of Decatur just off the old Decatur to Greenwood road. In 1880, Oak Grove became a part of the Decatur circuit and their first regular pastor was Rev. R. N. Brown. In 1902, a brush arbor was built within a beautiful grove of post oak trees, 3 ½ miles northeast of Decatur on land donated by Alfred Fullingim.

After much controversy, a new pump organ was bought and a meeting was held in August. In the fall, the church building was moved. In a few years, a large tabernacle was built. One of the first services under the new tabernacle was the funeral of Martha Wilton in August 1905.The highlight of each year was the camp meeting in August. Many campers brought their tents and supplies and camped under the trees for a ten-day period. When cars became numerous, the camping ceased. To see a picture of the Tabernacle in August 1909, click here. To see pictures of the congregation in 1923, click here. To see a picture of the church building in 1923, click here.

H. R. Fullingim was the first Sunday School Superintendent. He served for years, led the singing and taught Sunday school. Other superintendents who followed include G. F. (Dee) McCracken, Joe E. Wilhite, Earnest Gilliland, Mrs. A. B. Snipes, Henry G. Hilton, Lewis F. Pounds and Allard Shields. For several years, Sunday night singings were held with crowds filling the church.

In 1948, the old building was torn down and a nice brick structure was erected with just about every member having a part in building it. Emory Don Hilton, who worked with the Soil Conservation Service in Decatur, was the principal architect.

Charles R. Wilhite was the chairperson of the building committee. Other members were Albert Harder, A. B. Snipes, Henry G. Hilton, G. S. Privitt, and Emory D. Hilton. They were the contractors, supervised the work, and did much of it. Henry G. Hilton brought in his bulldozer and excavated for the basement.

Groups of men met night after night after work and mixed and poured concrete. The women were busy pulling nails from the old lumber to be used. Members did all the carpentry work. A. B. Snipes did the plastering. Actually, only the bricklayer had to be hired. Rev. J. C. Sprouls and Rev. Canton Thomson were pastors during that time and worked along with the others. To see a complete list of pastors at Oak Grove, click here.

The church spent $8,950. Only $1,000 was borrowed. The estimated value of the new church was $15,000. The dedication service was held May 20, 1951. Rev. M. L. Short, Pastor, and Mrs. A. B. Snipes, Sunday School Supt. Mrs. P. L. Wade was the only living charter member. To see a picture of the church in 1962, click here. To see a picture of the church in 1978, click here.

In 1984, the church was recognized as a Texas Historical Site by the Texas Historical Commission. The church membership waned over the years and once was almost absorbed by the First UMC of Decatur in the 1990's. Nevertheless, through the guidance and leadership of the dedicated congregation, Bill Mays, and especially Gene Chamness, the number of new members has escalated over the years.

In 2001, members of the church broke ground on a new Fellowship Hall and Education Wing, donating their expertise in construction to do much of the work themselves. On May 18, 2002, they dedicated and consecrated the new facilities, which included a pastor's office, classrooms, and kitchen. At that time, Sue and Ed Harris donated a piano for use in the Fellowship Hall, and Lila Reed donated a new steeple in memory of her husband Jesse, which was erected August 3, 2002.

In the fall of 2004, the Oak Grove Prayer Garden was officially dedicated, and on January 2, 2005, a plaque and two benches were added to the angel statue and birdbath already in place. Another plaque in memory of Charles Wilhite was also placed at the site.

On January 9, 2005, the men of the church cleared and leveled an area near the old swings and then erected a new Children's Playground.

In the summer of 2005, Kerry Wilde painted two murals on the walls of the nursery and children's Sunday school classroom, and Patti Mahaffey made new banners for worship services. 

The church remains very active, having Sunday School and worship services every Sunday, Easter Sunrise Services, and various other fellowship and worship services throughout the year.

Contributions to the Church

2004
* Vicky and Ron Solomon donated beautiful brass candleholders and offering plates in memory of Vicky’s parents, Jean and Charles Keyworth.
* Walter and Mary Jo Pac donated a podium for the tabernacle and a wooden Methodist logo for the sanctuary.

2003
* The daughters of Mr. and Mrs. T. F. Cook (Martha Hickey, Bonnie Rawlings, Norma Wiley, and Joyce McNeill) donated the front door to the sanctuary in memory of Leonard Cook and Col. U. R. Rawlings.
* Ed Maddox donated the ceiling fans and lights in the sanctuary in memory of his wife Movelda Maddox.

2002
* Lila Reed donated the steeple atop the church in memory of her husband Jesse Parish Reed.
* Sue and Ed Harris donated a piano for use in the fellowship hall.

1993-94
* Numerous people donated to the Improvement Fund in honor of their friends and family. The money was used to build new bathrooms and repair the roof and ceiling.

1984
* On Dec. 9, the Texas Historical Commission recognized the church with a Texas Historical Marker.

1965
* Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Henderson (parents of Carrie Lou Shields) donated a clock in the sanctuary.

1961
* The children of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wilhite gave a new piano to the church in memory of their parents.

1951
* Mrs. Louis Browning donated a picture of Christ in memory of her parents Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Moore.
* Mrs. Louis Browning and her parents Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Moore donated the altar rail.

1950
* Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Holt donated the Sunday School Attendance Board.
* Rev. Carlton Thompson donated the podium in the sanctuary.

Other
* Other donations include the wooden cross on the altar/communion table, which was donated by Bill May.
* A plaque in memory of Howard L. Hall was placed on the door of the old kitchen.
* The children of Uncle Jesse and Aunt Ann Fullingim donated the altar/communion table in the sanctuary.

All newcomers and visitors are welcome to come join our dynamic, growing congregation!