Making room
for ministry

Our worship and education spaces are full and in need of updates and repairs. It is our turn to strengthen the rooms that support gospel ministry at Oakhurst.

Kids filling the Main Hall during Vacation Bible School.

Young people greeting one another under a tent outside the church.

Sunday worship filling the Main Hall, looking toward the pulpit.

How did we get here?

Members gathered outside Oakhurst’s first sanctuary.

1936

A church began

Thirty-eight people gathered in a house on Monroe Road, pledged $240 to a building fund, and organized Oakhurst Baptist Church.

1955

They built a bigger room

After years of growth, the congregation built the Main Hall—a place of reverent and joyful worship where the Word has been preached for over seventy years.

1962

They went forward again

Through a campaign called “Go Forward,” Oakhurst built an Education Building to minister to the next generation and equip the saints for the work of ministry.

A small group of older members standing in the sanctuary, with empty pews behind them.

1990s

The rooms grew quiet

As Charlotte expanded, the congregation waned. Buildings raised by earlier generosity stood increasingly empty.

The congregation gathered for worship in the Main Hall they chose to keep.

2015

But God was not finished

Forty adults stepped out in faith to replant Oakhurst with Pastor Dave Russell—reviving a witness of the unchanging gospel in a rapidly changing city.

Today

Now it is Our Turn!

The Lord has filled these rooms again. It is our turn to steward what previous generations entrusted to us, so future generations may hear the gospel here.

What are we doing next?What's Next?

God provided these buildings through the generosity of previous generations. They now need repair and renovation. Our Turn is our opportunity to steward them well, so worship, discipleship, and welcome have room for the ministry He is already growing among us.

Education Building

Education space reached capacity in 2025. Activating the unused third floor of the Education Building creates much-needed space for discipleship, student ministry, and future growth. In order to open the third floor for the first time in over 20 years, we need to make many repairs and updates to the space.

Architectural concepts — final designs may change.

Main Hall

Our worship space has averaged more than 80% full for over a year. On Easter Sunday 2026, we reached 100% capacity in the Main Hall. Refreshing and renewing the Main Hall, while retaining its classic character, creates a more beautiful, functional, and welcoming space for reverent and joyful weekly worship together.

Architectural concepts — final designs may change.

Entry

Our entry experience does not match how people actually arrive and move through campus. Reimagining the entry creates a more welcoming, visible, and connected arrival for guests and members. This will also provide a multi-purpose space for events and gatherings. On top of that, we will be able to better secure our kids check-in area by being able to adhere to more modern practices of a one way in/one way out flow of traffic.