History
In the Summer of 1954, two couples came to this area in northern Oakland
County from Royal Oak to see if the people of the community would be
interested in having a church in Oakwood Village. There was a church
building on Oakwood Road just west of Baldwin Road that had not been used
in many years. There was enough interest, so the people contacted the
denomination that owned the vacant building to get permission to use it
for worship. Permission was granted, and Oakwood Community Church held
its first service in October of 1954.
In July of 1955, another church group purchased that building, so O.C.C.
had to move. A sealed bid of $1,234.56 was made for an unused schoolhouse
at 2750 North Baldwin Road. Although a construction company made a
higher bid, Oxford Township decided it would be better to have a church in
the building rather than a construction storage building. On July 2,
1957, Oakwood Community Church borrowed the money from Metamora Bank and
again had a place of worship.
The church struggled for many years until 1966 when a major renovation
took place: water into the building, a septic system, a new roof and
completely remodeled auditorium. The people of the church did the work.
In 1971, the church had grown to the position of providing full support of
the pastor. Two additional acres of land were purchased east of the
church property, and the construction of a parsonage began. The people of
the church did most of the work. In April of 1972, the pastor and his
family moved into the parsonage.
"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double
honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the
Scripture says, 'Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain'
and 'the worker deserves his wages.'"
(1 Timothy 5:17-18)
The Lord kept adding to His Church at Oakwood, so in March of 1976,
construction began to double the size of the building. Again the people
of the church did much of the work. In January of 1977, the first
worship service was held in the larger building. As the numbers
increased, Oakwood Community Church hired a part-time Minister of Music in
1989, and a Youth Pastor in 1993.
"And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
(Acts 2:47)
In 1998, after years of prayer and consideration, because of a need
for more space, we decided to enlarge our place of worship and
ministry. We named the building program The Noah Project from a
thought of Hebrews 11:7, "By faith Noah ... in holy fear built an
ark." We stepped out in faith. After 2 years, our new building was
completed with much of the work being done by the people of the
church. Our first service was on February 3, 2002. With the larger
building, our congregation immediately increased. It is our goal to
make all visitors feel welcome at Oakwood Community Church, now
located at 5791 Oakwood Road, just west of Baldwin Road, in Brandon
Township.
From October of 1954 to today, seeds have been planted and seeds have been
watered, and the little part of the Lord's Church at Oakwood grows in
grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
"He who plants and he who waters are equal -- of the same importance and
esteem -- yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his
own labor. For we are fellow workmen -- joint promoters, laborers
together -- with and for God; you are God's garden and vineyard and field
under cultivation; [you are] God's building."
(1 Corinthians 3:8-9 Amplified Bible)
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