Purpose

The purpose of this organization is to worship and serve God, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to engage in such religious, educational and benevolent work as the membership of this organization may determine.

History of Oakdale Community Church

Calvary Baptist Church of Oakdale was incorporated May 4, 1949 by a number of Christian people who had been fellowshipping together at the Oakdale Grange. Their first pastor was selected, Reverend Norman James Black and in due time the church joined the Conservative Baptist Association, an association of churches that seek to promote the gospel and ministry of Jesus Christ.

In August 1950 the church was deeded property by Carleton B. Wood, as it was his mother's wish that the church be established on her property on the corner of 8th and D Streets in Oakdale. The original size of the lot was 100 feet by 100 ft. Then the size of the property was doubled in January 1953 for a sum of $500.00, purchased from Mr. Wood as his mother had directed. The lot was 200 feet on D Street and 100 feet on 8th Avenue (originally named East Avenue).

The existing church facility was built with the help of many of the members under the supervision of Mr. Jim Word, who was a charter member, along with his wife, Ruby. A mortgage loan was received from the Bank of America to finance this project and was finally paid off on March 30, 1962. The pastor at that time was Stanley Tilley who was also very able to finish building the sanctuary as it stands today.

At one time the name of the church was changed to The Evangelical Free Church of Oakdale, California, fellowshipping with the Evangelical Free Churches of America, because the interim pastor, Leonard Haggstrom was of this persuasion.

However in August of 1999 the name of the church changed again to Oakdale Community Church and resumed its affiliation with the Conservative Baptist Association.

Members of our church who were living in Oakdale in the latter 60's and early 70's, Marlon and Kathleen Rassmussen and their children were commissioned by the church and sent as missionaries with the New Tribes Mission to serve in the Phillippines. Monty is a missionary pilot. At this time, their oldest daughter, Karen and her husband Ben Royer and their family are serving in Brazil as missionaries with New Tribes Mission. Ben was raised in Brazil in a tribal situation as his parents were also veteran, pioneer missionaries. We also support this family along with Russian Ministries, a mission serving in Russia founded by Peter Dyneka.