White Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in northeast Greensboro grew from a brush arbor in Smith Village in 1905 and is known for Bible-believing worship, live music, family ministries and local service through Urban Ministry and the public schools. Sunday worship and Sunday school meet at 5104 Dunstan Road, while Wednesday Bible study meets at 2600 Assembly Road.
From a Brush Arbor in Smith Village
In 1905, a group of dedicated believers in a small northeast Greensboro community known as Smith Village saw the need to organize a Baptist church. Comer, Donahue, Milton and Wallington families began with what they called a widow's mite and strong determination. They first met beneath a brush arbor. A storm destroyed that shelter before their planned revival, but the founders built another arbor and held the revival as intended.
The Rev. Dennis Thacker served as first pastor from 1905 to 1911. Under his leadership, Adolphus Comer, Bill Martin, Ellis Ayers, Alex Milton and Jessie Wallington became the first deacons. The growing congregation erected a wooden church and used a huge rock for its steps. The name White Oak Grove came from the white oak trees surrounding the building.
Those early Sundays established a worship life that could occupy much of the day. Members brought boxes of food and planned to remain for morning, afternoon and evening services. The wooden church and first deacons helped a small group become an organized church family, with worship, fellowship and care for one another closely joined from the beginning.
Pastors Who Built a Multigenerational Church
Rev. Sandy G. Gilmer succeeded Rev. Thacker in 1911 and served until his death in 1956. A modern brick church was built in 1940, and the grounds were landscaped. Joe Hooper, Jesse Moore, Rufus Donnell and Hugh Wallington Sr. were installed as deacons; Lorenzo Donahue, James Wallington and Russell Wyrick were ordained later in Gilmer's ministry. Because worship was held only on the fourth Sunday, Gilmer encouraged several organizations that strengthened church life.
Following Gilmer's death, his son-in-law, the Rev. J.W. Hedrick, was named pastor in 1956. Deacons George Donahue, Bobby Milton, Lonnie Moore and J.P. Foskey served during his 12-year tenure. Hedrick instituted a ward system of financial support and renovated the sanctuary, adding an altar, inside restrooms, a choir room and a pastor's study. New pews, carpeting, pulpit furniture and a Communion Table were installed. He established a second Sunday worship service, expanding both worship and the participation of younger congregants.
The Rev. Will Henry Moore began as assistant pastor during Hedrick's illness and was installed as pastor in August 1968. Henry McLean, Ned Martin and Frank Wallington were installed as deacons. The youth took a more active role in church life, and Moore encouraged Junior Deacons, Junior Missionaries and Trustees as a way to train younger members for church leadership. He also formed a Deaconess Board and Pastor's Aid Club. Property was acquired for a cemetery and playground, a Fellowship Hall was built beside the sanctuary, and an indoor baptismal pool was installed.
After a transition period, the Rev. Albert E. Graves was installed in September 1975. He revived the midweek prayer service and Bible Study, oversaw several building improvements and helped the church prepare for growth. Fred Donahue, Gary Milton and Rodney Harrigan were ordained as deacons, and Anthony Spinks was ordained to preach. By 1990, White Oak Grove needed worship every Sunday rather than only on the second and fourth Sundays. Because Graves also pastored Faith Baptist Church and could not meet that need, he submitted his resignation.
Sunday School, Choirs and Youth Leadership
Music and education became enduring ministries during White Oak Grove's early decades. Sunday School, the Senior Choir and Senior Missionary Circle were organized under Rev. Gilmer, and Rev. Hedrick added a Junior Choir. Rev. Moore encouraged the Sunshine Band, Mass Choir and Male Chorus. The A.E. Graves Youth Choir later became an important part of worship, and Rev. Coleman reorganized the youth choir during his tenure. The succession shows education, music and service woven into congregational life rather than added as later programs.
Youth also carried meaningful worship responsibility. Under Rev. Moore, young people spearheaded the second-Sunday worship services, while Junior Deacons, Junior Missionaries and Trustees gave them preparation for future church leadership. The tradition remains visible in FIYYA, the church's youth and young adult ministry, and in Strong, Focused and Confident, the mentoring group founded by Pastor Graves for African-American boys and young men.
From Every Other Sunday to a New Church
The Rev. Terry L. Streater was called in December 1990 and installed on March 10, 1991. He served until fall 1992, with Alpheus Harrigan Sr. and Ralph Royal joining the deacons. The Rev. Ferris Coleman followed on August 15, 1993. Minister Terry Harris was licensed and became an associate minister, while Keltz Summers Sr., Thomas Blackmon, Nathaniel Patrick and Larry Yancey were ordained as deacons. Coleman reorganized the youth choir, formed an Orientation Ministry and restructured the Building Fund. He resigned in October 1998 after White Oak Grove could not fulfill his need to serve full time.
Anthony Spinks, the deacons and guest ministers then led Sunday worship while plans for a new building took shape. The Rev. Steven McCain was installed on August 27, 2000. He developed a strong bond with the youth, welcomed new members and served as the father of three young sons. A Building Committee was formed, with Trustee Clarence Foulks as project chair. On November 4, 2001, the congregation marched from the old church to the new one singing 'We're Come This Far by Faith.' McCain's tenure ended in 2002, and White Oak Grove began another search for a shepherd.
Pastor Cory Graves and a Church Still Reaching
The Rev. Cory A. Graves was installed as White Oak Grove's ninth pastor on November 9, 2003. During his first year, membership increased by 96. Under his leadership, White Oak Grove added a worship service on the second and fourth Sundays, cleared land across from the church for overflow parking, installed lighting and gates for security, and purchased 20 additional acres for a future facility. The church continued to grow under his spiritual leadership while expanding its practical resources for worship and community service.
Graves is a graduate of East Carolina University, where he majored in Special Education and Psychology, and a former teacher of students with behavioral and emotional disorders from kindergarten through 12th grade. Ordained in September 1993, he served as a minister and educator in Edgecombe County before accepting the call to White Oak Grove. He serves on Triad boards focused on children and adults with mental and physical disabilities and on at-risk youth and adolescents. He teaches that every challenge or adversity can become a reason to succeed rather than an excuse to fail. His vision is to transform lives while building God's Kingdom, reaching people both inside the church and throughout the community. Psalm 23:1 is his favorite scripture.
Two Addresses for Worship and Study
Service times and locations are divided between two Greensboro addresses. At 5104 Dunstan Road, Sunday worship is at 10:45 a.m. every Sunday, with an 8:30 a.m. service on the second and fourth Sundays. Sunday School and New Member Class both meet at 9:45 a.m. every Sunday. At 2600 Assembly Road, Bible Study meets at noon and 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday.
The atmosphere is described as casual, friendly and welcoming, with live worship music and inspirational teaching. Parking is available on the 5104 Dunstan Road property, and an overflow lot sits on the land across from the church. Children are always welcome in the worship services. New members are introduced through the 9:45 a.m. class and assigned to a deacon or minister according to last name, giving each person a specific church leader for support during the early weeks.
Sunday worship is also livestreamed on YouTube, and archived services are available on demand. Weekly Bible Study lessons are also available online in Microsoft Word and PDF formats, with current and previous lessons gathered in one collection.
What White Oak Grove Believes
White Oak Grove is a Missionary Baptist church and describes itself as Bible-believing, Bible-preaching and Bible-teaching. Its mission is to be a united body of baptized believers committed to the cause of Jesus Christ, to reach people who do not know Jesus as their personal Savior, and to grow in the knowledge of God's word while demonstrating that knowledge through faith and confidence.
The vision is a church unified as a body of believers, instructed by the word of God, led by the spirit of God and changed by the love of God, reaching the world one soul at a time. The Great Commission from Matthew 28:18-20 anchors that mission: Jesus calls his followers to make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe his commands. White Oak Grove connects this call with righteous living that can be seen in the community.
Ministries for Couples, Women, Youth and Seniors
Iron Men and Couples of Faith encourage husbands and wives to strengthen communication, build marriage and family on biblical principles, and grow together in God's word. Women of VIRTRUE draws women into a stronger relationship with Christ and with one another so they can make an impact in the community and around the world. The Women's Ministry hosts a virtual meeting every third Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and a prayer call every first and third Monday at 5:45 a.m., led by Rev. Barbara Hester.
FIYYA, which stands for Favored and Inspired Youth and Young Adults, exists for the spiritual development of young people and provides creative outlets for youthful energy and complex needs. The Seniors Ministry welcomes people 63 and older, as well as retired adults, for relaxed camaraderie, fellowship and active participation in the life of White Oak Grove.
Other ministries carry practical and pastoral responsibilities. Greeters meet visitors with smiles, kind words, handshakes or brief hugs. The Culinary Ministry provides nutritious food as an expression of Christian service, while the Health and Wellness Ministry offers basic assistance, first aid and help to the pastor. Ushers help direct the congregation and assist worshipers. The Security and Parking Ministry seeks a peaceful, safe environment for members, visitors and associates.
The Music Ministry works to set the atmosphere for worship, inspire, minister, comfort and support the church's vision. The Audio and Web Ministry maintains the sound, visual and lighting technology used in services and distributes worship through media. The Pastor's Aide Ministry serves the pastor through prayer, planning, encouragement and financial support. Sunday School and the Orientation Ministry continue to help people understand the faith and become acquainted with church leaders and the congregation.
Feeding, Sheltering and Clothing
Local missions are a central expression of White Oak Grove's call to serve. The church says its primary focus includes carrying the gospel beyond its own walls, feeding hungry people, providing shelter for people who are homeless and clothing those in need. It also emphasizes that mission is demonstrated through the way people treat their neighbors in the community and beyond.
Two recurring partnerships make that commitment concrete. On every fifth Sunday, White Oak Grove partners with Urban Ministry to provide spiritual and physical feeding for its clients. On every fourth Saturday, the church conducts outreach to people who are homeless. It also partners with public schools to provide food, clothing and mentoring to elementary, middle and high school students. These efforts join biblical teaching and discipleship with practical support for people in Greensboro.
Fasting, Giving and Shared Resources
Fasting is part of the church's rhythm of spiritual growth, with the congregation fasting during the first week of each quarter. White Oak Grove teaches that the tithe means tenth and emphasizes cheerful giving as a way to worship God and serve people. Its practice connects generosity with the church's worship, ministries and outreach.
Tithes and offerings can be made online through Givelify, placed in one of the lobby boxes as a check or cash, or mailed to P.O. Box 1078, Greensboro, NC 27402. White Oak Grove describes this practice as blessing the church's ministry and making an eternal difference in the lives of people served through worship, fellowship and community action.
More Than a Century in Greensboro
White Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church now spans more than a century of Greensboro history, from the Smith Village brush arbor and wooden church to worship at Dunstan Road and Bible Study at Assembly Road. Its recurring pattern is substantial: gather for biblical worship and teaching, welcome people into church life across generations, equip couples, women, youth and seniors for service, and carry faith into the city through food, clothing, mentoring and care for people experiencing homelessness. Pastor Cory A. Graves and the congregation continue that work from a church family built around welcome, the word of God and active service.