Oakland Church in Chesterfield has recently renovated an existing space and completed work on a new five-room educational building for Sunday School and discipleship classes. 

“This new building will be used to reach people for Christ,” Pastor Grady “Buck” Gulledge said. 

Oakland Church first contacted Robert Grant, director of the Church Administration and Buildings Office, SCBC, in January 2002 to help the congregation plan for the expansion. 

In working with the church, Grant realized that the sanctuary could seat 152 but existing Sunday School space would only allow for 34 people and the preschool area was too small.

“Oakland Baptist Church saw the vision for balance in capacity of worship, Sunday School and parking.  They have done a wonderful job and met the challenge,” Grant said.

“Robert challenged us to the point of starting something here.  I encourage churches to get the convention’s input and know what you’re doing before you get started.  It will save you lots of headaches,” Gulledge said.

In January 2003 the church broke ground on the new facility, which was completed in April.  Church members have worked to renovate the other areas during the building process.  One major addition in the new building were two bathrooms, which are now much easier to access from the sanctuary than the former facilities which were located down a flight of stairs. 

The story of Oakland Church would not be complete without spotlighting the church’s tremendous missions giving, something Gulledge credits for the success of the recent renovation and building projects.  Last year the congregation, which averages around 100 each Sunday, gave over $5,500 to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and more than $3,000 to the Annie Armstrong Offering.  In fact, the church was one of the top 50 highest giving churches in the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 2001. 

“Four and a half years ago we began discussing a building project.  Our missions giving has helped us get to where we are now, which is a new facility without any debt,” Gulledge said. 

For his part, Gulledge said it is exciting to see what God has done in the recent building project.  “Now I hear comments from church members like ‘What did we do before this new part.’  It has made us more unified.”