According to historical facts, African American pioneers broke their ties with the Providence Baptist Church of the Kelly Settlement Community in 1864. Providence Baptist Church was a White congregation that the members joined for Sunday worship service. Being led by God to worship and fellowship on their own, the members took steps to birth Shady Grove Baptist Church. Some of the key members making this decision were listed as Green Grant, Oquilla Keys, Susan Kelly, Warren Kelly, Julia McLaurin, Jerry Mott, Harry Watts, and Polk Watts.

Three deacons from Providence Baptist Church and several of the Black members held an organizational meeting which led to the first church service with eight members, two deacons, a clerk, and several other community people. Their trust and belief in the Lord and an increase in membership soon required the church to move from a log cabin to a larger structure for worshipping and praising the Lord. During the initial inception and growth of this small church the first pastors to be called were Rev. I. B. Travis, Rev. R. W. Jones, Rev. Luke McInnis, and Rev. J. J. Jordan.

In 1917, Shady Grove Baptist Church was in need of a pastor. During this period, one of the deacons, Bro. George Dahmer, heard the Rev. R. W. Woullard, Sr. preach. He was so impressed that he invited Rev.Woullard to preach for the Shady Grove congregation, which ultimately led to him being called as the next pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, where he served for more than forty years.

Several other pastors served this growing congregation until August 1969 when the shepherd’s rod was passed to Rev. R. W. Woullard, Jr. under whose leadership the membership more than doubled. Seeing it as a blessing, Pastor Woullard began the next steps in planning how to accommodate the growth. His vision led to the building of a new sanctuary in November 1993 which included the construction of a fellowship hall and Sunday school classrooms. Rev. E.V. Hill, senior pastor at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California joined the members of Shady Grove, preaching our dedication message after we marched into our new sanctuary. Rev. R. W. Woullard, Jr. served as pastor of Shady Grove until his death in January 2005.

Moving forward to find a new pastor, the deacons of Shady Grove met with Rev. Reginald Woullard, Sr., the youngest son of Rev. R. W. Woullard, Jr. and grandson of Rev. R. W. Woullard, Sr. and offered him the position as pastor. After an overwhelming church-wide vote, he accepted the offer and preached his first sermon as pastor on February 20, 2005.

In the first two years under Pastor’s Woullard’s leadership, our membership more than doubled and our finances showed exponential growth. Additional staff and services have been added to handle the phenomenal expansion of our congregation. God has blessed us abundantly in both the numerical and financial realms.

Nearly 70 new ministries were added to serve all ages, including a Youth Bible Study. A webcast of both church services can be seen each Sunday. A band, Youth Choir, and the addition of a transportation ministry were added so members could be served on every level. Both the 7:45 a.m. and the 10:45 a.m. Worship services have shown astonishing growth. Thirty-two acres of land have been acquired for future growth.

With the membership still rapidly growing, Pastor Woullard instituted three Sunday Morning Worship Services. But there was still a need for an overflow section to accommodate the members and visitors. With a lot of prayers and strategic planning and the members’ financial commitment, in 2016, the Rev. Dr. R.W. Woullard, Jr. Family Life Center, which seats 1,000, was dedicated. Dr. Karry Wesley, pastor at the Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas preached the dedication sermon. After moving into the new worship center, the church returned to two worship services.

Under Pastor Reginald Woullard’s leadership, in 2007, Shady Grove adopted Monrovia, Liberia, which included visiting and ministering in this West Africa country. Pastor and members joined those in our adopted country in remodeling and enlarging several churches and orphanages in this region. They also helped with the digging of wells for drinking water. Bibles, medical supplies and clothing were given during each visit. All to bring glory to God and to show the love of Jesus!

In 2020, for the first time since her inception Shady Grove Baptist Church doors were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To keep God’s Word moving forward, Pastor Woullard preached to empty pews as the members watched online. Sunday school was held either online or as a conference call. Church business was held via Zoom. The pandemic took so many lives nationwide including many of our beloved members who could not have a traditional homegoing – having to settle for graveside services. After 15 months, the church doors were again open for Worship Service.

…to whom much is given, much is required. Shady Grove Baptist Church, under the guidance of God and Pastor Woullard, is striving daily to meet the challenges of an ever increasing and diverse congregation. As part of our building plan, we will move to win many souls for Christ and to continue our role in the community as a change agent for social action and a Spirit-driven church. Our building plan isn’t just about physical structures, but more importantly, it’s about empowering people with the capacity to become disciples for Christ and to carry out the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.