Great Oak Church History
On January 1, 1863, the church was officially chartered and known as the Regular Baptist Church at Mt Pleasant, originally located on Mills Road.
Over the past 16 decades the church has experienced the progression of the community from rural West Newton to suburban Indianapolis, through multiple political and social changes, and during six major wars or conflicts (Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Dessert Storm, and the Afghanistan war).
Over time floods, fire, and storms marred our facilities. Wars, pandemics, economic collapse, and death brought social and emotional heartache. While these struggles have challenged the people through the ages, the church remained a constant spiritual presence since our beginning.
The church relocated to our current address in 1966. Our desire to offer a functional and comfortable space for ministry has led us to renovate and add room over the years. In 2004 the Lord blessed our ministry with the addition of our Family Life and Ministry Center with a gymnasium, administration space, and new classrooms.
Since the church’s charter in 1863, thirty-five pastors have led the march of God’s mission through Mt Pleasant Baptist with instruction from Biblical truth and the motivation of eternal hope in our greater community.
The Spring of 2023 began the new era of Great Oak Church. To reach a generation of people with less concern for denominational ties and more about being the body of Christ, we rebranded our ministry for the future while sustaining a deep connection with our past.
Why Great Oak Church?
In April of 2022 the great oak tree that stood at the front of our original property needed to be removed. This tree welcomed people from our community for every service, banquet, wedding, funeral and meeting of our church for the first 103 years, until our current facility was built.
For over 160 years, this tree placed a natural marker at the center of the property for those who built the first structure in 1860 (for $35). As it grew, it welcomed people down through the decades – those who came to find faith and to worship the God of Hope through Jesus Christ.
The tree continued to be a massive visual of all the years past. Its growth gave a valuable reminder of Isaiah 61:3 ”In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”
The mission of Great Oak Church, like that of Mt Pleasant Baptist Church, is to bring people into a relationship with Jesus and to provide a place where together we can develop a culture of community and service through worship and faithful action. From the truth of scripture and the love of God through His people, we will strive to be the righteous people of God, like the great oaks, who have been planted at this place and time for His glory.
We would be pleased to include you and your family in our journey of faith development and service for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Over the past 16 decades the church has experienced the progression of the community from rural West Newton to suburban Indianapolis, through multiple political and social changes, and during six major wars or conflicts (Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Dessert Storm, and the Afghanistan war).
Over time floods, fire, and storms marred our facilities. Wars, pandemics, economic collapse, and death brought social and emotional heartache. While these struggles have challenged the people through the ages, the church remained a constant spiritual presence since our beginning.
The church relocated to our current address in 1966. Our desire to offer a functional and comfortable space for ministry has led us to renovate and add room over the years. In 2004 the Lord blessed our ministry with the addition of our Family Life and Ministry Center with a gymnasium, administration space, and new classrooms.
Since the church’s charter in 1863, thirty-five pastors have led the march of God’s mission through Mt Pleasant Baptist with instruction from Biblical truth and the motivation of eternal hope in our greater community.
The Spring of 2023 began the new era of Great Oak Church. To reach a generation of people with less concern for denominational ties and more about being the body of Christ, we rebranded our ministry for the future while sustaining a deep connection with our past.
Why Great Oak Church?
In April of 2022 the great oak tree that stood at the front of our original property needed to be removed. This tree welcomed people from our community for every service, banquet, wedding, funeral and meeting of our church for the first 103 years, until our current facility was built.
For over 160 years, this tree placed a natural marker at the center of the property for those who built the first structure in 1860 (for $35). As it grew, it welcomed people down through the decades – those who came to find faith and to worship the God of Hope through Jesus Christ.
The tree continued to be a massive visual of all the years past. Its growth gave a valuable reminder of Isaiah 61:3 ”In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”
The mission of Great Oak Church, like that of Mt Pleasant Baptist Church, is to bring people into a relationship with Jesus and to provide a place where together we can develop a culture of community and service through worship and faithful action. From the truth of scripture and the love of God through His people, we will strive to be the righteous people of God, like the great oaks, who have been planted at this place and time for His glory.
We would be pleased to include you and your family in our journey of faith development and service for the Lord Jesus Christ.