Oak Park Missionary Baptist Church was organized on Sunday, April 13, 1980 at the home of Reverend Charles W. Swain, 10330 Dartmouth, Oak Park, Michigan.  Attending the organizational meeting were Reverend Charles W. Swain, Reverend Frank Norman, Brothers Solomon King, Odell Thomas, Sammy Johnson, and Earl Taliaferro.  Also attending were Sisters Ruby Washington, Kimberly Crow, Martha Swain, Shelia Benson and Beverly Tailaferro. 

On Sunday, April 27, 1980, Oak Park Missionary Baptist Church held its first Worship Service at Clinton Junior High School at 22180 Parklawn, Oak Park, Michigan.  There were 14 charter members: Sister Martha Swain, Brother Solomon King, Sister Ruby Washington, Sister Shelia Benson, Sister Angie Harris, Brother Joe Snow, Sister Velma Snow, Sister Jacqueline McPhee, Sister Beverly Taliaferro, Brother Reginald Washington, Sister Regina Washington, and Sister Rosemary Wimbush.  These charter members were former members of Springhill Missionary Baptist Church (Detroit, MI) under the leadership of Dr. James E. Moss.  All took leave with the blessings of Dr. Moss and Springhill Missionary Baptist Church.

The first officers of the church consisted of Reverend Charles W. Swain, Pastor, Reverend Frank Norman, Associate Pastor, Brothers Joe Snow and Earl Taliaferro, Trustees, and Sister Shelia Benson, the Church Secretary. With the help of God, who touched the hearts of men, we received our first church donation of $20.00 from Brother Odell Thomas.  Reverend Frank Norman furnished the church with 20 new National Baptist Hymnals and 24 Bibles.  We also received donations to purchase Communion supplies and collection baskets.

Brother Solomon King became the first Sunday School Superintendent. Sister Denise Collins was elected Assistant Superintendent.  The Sunday School Teachers were Reverend Frank Norman, Brother Ronald Swain, Sister Angie Harris, Sister Beverly Taliaferro and Sister Jacqueline McPhee.  Sister Ernestine Moore from Springhill Missionary Baptist Church preferred assistance.

Clinton Junior High School was closed by the Board of Education of Oak Park Public Schools.   Oak Park Missionary Baptist Church relocated to Einstein Elementary School at 14001 Northend, Oak Park, Michigan, on Sunday, July 6, 1980.  Reverend Charles W. Swain was officially installed as Pastor on Sunday, August 3, 1980 by Pastor James E. Moss of Springhill Missionary Baptist Church (Detroit, MI).  The Male Chorus was organized in 1980. Brother Vanda Jones served as President of the Male Chorus, Brother Joe Snow served as Vice President, Brother Cameron Hughes was the first Musician, and Brother Ronald Bennett of Springhill, lent assistance.  Brother Lewis Liggins was added to the Trustee Board and Sister Ruby Washington became the first Mother of the Church.  Brother Solomon King was ordained as the first Deacon of the church on Sunday, October 25, 1981.  The Young Adult Usher Board was also formed in 1981.  Sister Chermaine Howell was elected as President of the Youth Usher Board.  Brother David Shelby was Vice President and Brother Gregory Swain was the Supervisor.  The first Missionary Society was organized in 1981. Sister Jacqueline McPhee was elected as President of Women’s Auxiliaries and Brother Vanda Jones was elected as President of Laymen.   Sister Angie Harris officially became the Church Secretary. 

On Sunday, September 26, 1982, Brother Vanda Jones was ordained as the second Deacon of the Church.  The Nurses Guild was formed in 1983.  Mother Ruby Washington was President, Sister Delores Liggins, Vice President, Sister Rosie Roberson, Secretary, and Sister Carrie Sargent, Contact Person. The first Junior Trustees were elected.  They were Brother Darin Wilson, Brother Kenneth Swain, Brother Kevin Sargent and Brother Darryl Harris.  On Sunday, March 24, 1985 Brothers John Thomas and Ronald Swain were ordained as Deacons.  On Sunday, November 22, 1987, the first Appreciation Day was held for Pastor Swain.  The church initially adopted the Fourth Sunday in November as the Pastor’s Anniversary Day.  The Pastor’s Anniversary was later celebrated on the Fourth Sunday in June.  In 1989 the Mothers Board was formed with the addition of Sister Carrie Sargent and Sister Emma Becton.  Sister Anna Jones, in conjunction with Sisters Louise Parker and Sister Petty of Old Landmark Baptist Church, revived the Women’s Missionary Society. 

God granted our petition for a church home and on Sunday, October 6, 1991 we moved to 1560 Wordsworth, Ferndale, Michigan.     Sister Edna Liggins became the second Church Secretary and Sister Velma Snow became the Financial Secretary in 1993.  The role of Church Secretary has since been served by Sister Latricia Coates and Brother Kenneth Swain. Sister Velma Snow later assumed both roles as Church and Financial Secretary in 2013. 

Through the blessings of God, we have continued to grow in faith, membership, and in spirit.  Our ministries expanded to include the Ministry of Deaconess, Youth Ministry, Ministry of Men’s Fellowship, Ministry of Children’s Church and the non-profit Ministry of Community Outreach (The Right Road Community Development).

As our church grew, the following additions, special gifts, donations, and contributions were received.

– Reverend Frank Norman donated a religious library consisting of many reference volumes and texts.
– Sister Brenda Graves donated the candles for the Communion table in 1992.
– Mother Ivory Thomas donated the church’s first van, a video camera, a VCR, and $9,000 to replace the furnace in 1992.
– Deacon Solomon King built the pulpit and remodeled the choir stand in 1992.
– Brother Thomas and Sister Ida Ragland donated the Pastor’s goblet in 1994.
– Brothers Wilborn Sargent, Sigmund Irby and Kenneth Swain were added to the Trustee Board.
– Brothers Joseph Jordan, Jeffrey Snow, and Alden June were added to the Junior Trustee Board.
– Mother Mandy Storr organized Mission #2 and donated Baptismal gowns in 1995.
– Reverend Jim Swinney and family joined our congregation in 1995.
– Mrs. Bernice Teamer (Church Musician) donated the organ to the church in 1996.
– The Mother’s Board donated dishes and glassware in 1996.
– Reverend Jim Swinney revived the Youth Ministry in 1996.
– The First Pastoral Banquet was held in 1997.
– Brother Johnnie Jordan (Chairman of Trustees) donated chairs for the choir stand and social hall in 1998.
– The Sharing Hearts Food Pantry (affiliated with Right Road Community Development Program) was organized by Mission #2 in May 1998.
– The clothes closet was organized and operated Mission #1 in 1998.
– Brother Thomas Ragland was ordained as a Deacon in 1999.
– Brother John and Sister Helen Moss donated bibles in 2001.
– We were blessed with a new church van in 2003. Deacon Ronald Swain was the Bus Driver.
– Sister Sandra Bassett (Church Musician) contributed significant musical equipment in 2004.
– Brother Brian Coates was placed on trial as a Deacon in 2004.
– On January 8, 2005, the church celebrated Mother Emma Becton’s 100th Birthday Party.
– In 2013 – 2014 Sister Rosie Roberson, Sister Corene Jordan, Brother Johnnie Jordan and Deacon Solomon King donated the paint, floor tiles, and labor to update the Vestibule and Fellowship Hall.
– In 2015 Brother Joe Snow donated a table for the Trustee Room. And in 20 Brother Joe Snow orchestrated the installation and operation of two presentation monitors for the enhancement of the worship experience, announcements, trainings, etc.

Over the years four ministers, Reverend Anthony Lloyd, Reverend Jim Swinney, Reverend James Redditt, and Reverend Christian Speight, were added to the pulpit.  Two pastors, Pastor James Younger (Wayside Baptist Church) and Pastor Joseph Ware (Northwestern Unity) joined our church.  Other improvements to the church and property included pavement of the parking lot, replacement of windows in the sanctuary, and installation of a new fence.  Each year the church sponsors outreach activities the Block Party and Vacation Bible School followed by an annual church picnic.

Our Pastor and Founder, Reverend Charles W. Swain was called to rest on October 5, 2013 after 33 years of faithful service.  Several months later a Pastor Search Committee was formed.  The Committee consisted of six members.  Brother Joe L. Snow, Jr., served as Chairman of the Pastor Search Committee.  Other members included Brother Johnnie Jordan, Sister Rosie Roberson, Sister Georgia Snow, Sister Corene Jordan and Sister Velma Snow.  The Pastor Search Committee received guidance from Reverend Nathaniel Bishop, throughout the search process.  After a diligent search, the Pastor Search Committee nominated Reverend Ray Anthony Ruffin, Jr. as the candidate for Pastor of Oak Park Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, March 1, 2015.  The nomination of Reverend Ruffin was confirmed as the new pastor by church-wide vote on Sunday, March 8, 2015. Reverend Ruffin delivered his first sermon as pastor on Sunday, March 22, 2015.  The Installation of Reverend Ray Anthony Ruffin, Jr. as the New Pastor of Oak Park Missionary Baptist was held on Sunday, May 3, 2015. Pastor Ruffin continued the legacy of expanding the ministry of Oak Park until he was led to serve as a fellow laborer at New Found Hope Community Church in the Redford Community.

Oak Park is transitioning into a new chapter in its legacy as “The Lighthouse on the Corner: A place to Worship, Grow, and Serve.”  On October 6, 2019 Pastor Stephen L. Murphy began his journey as pastor. On Sunday, December 29, 2019, Rev. Stephen L. Murphy, Sr. was officially installed as the third pastor of Oak Park Missionary Baptist Church.  The Installation Service was led by Rev. Dr. John D. Tolbert of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Pontiac, Michigan, home church of Pastor Murphy.   Only three months later, on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Pandemic due to the alarming levels of spread and severity of the viral outbreak.  On March 13, 2020, COVID-19 wad declared a National Emergency and all group gatherings were immediately shut down. Oak Park Missionary Baptist did not lose faith and did not miss a beat.  Under the direction of our visionary leader Senior Pastor Stephen L. Murphy, we seamlessly transitioned to live streaming of worship services – allowing virtual worship during the week and on Sundays.  Virtual services were afforded for worshipers to join us via (Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Freeconferencecall, and the radio.  Through Pastor Murphy’s faith and quick action, we are assured that the future of Oak Park Missionary Baptist Church is promising. We thank God for Pastor Murphy and we are looking forward to new growth with great expectations under his leadership.   We remain excited to see where God will lead us next! Oak Park continues to be a church that is committed to our Christ and serving the community. WE ARE THE LIGHTHOUSE.