The Shadow
Oak Hill Bible Church had its start in July of 1965 with the Rev. James Reese as the founding pastor, holding worship services at the old YMCA building on Ridgeway Street.
53 charter members established the Clifton Forge Christian Church, which became the Oak Hill Bible Church.
In 1967, services were moved to the Chestnut Street property that was brought in 1965, where services were held in a tent called “The Gospel Tent.”
A worship building was built in 1968 and a Fellowship Room was added in 1984.
Four pastors have served the congregation, including the Rev. James Reese; the Rev. Art Lebo; the Rev. Allan Reeves; and the Rev. Roger Bush, who has now served as pastor for 35 years.
Early in the 1970’s, the Rev. Reese initiated a weekly radio ministry, “The Message of Hope,” which became a daily program in 1981 and is still being heard on Radio Station, 101.9 FM and 103.5 FM out of Covington each day.
Oak Hill Bible Church opened the Alleghany Bible Institute in 1982 and was instrumental in establishing the Alleghany Highlands Christian Academy in 1990.
The Christian Academy ceased operation after the 2003-2004 school year.
The church has been involved in foreign missions outreach since its beginning.
Some of the supported ministries are in TOGO, Allyn Huntzingers, the Grace Bible Camp, Russians Reaching Russians, Parkers in Brazil, Nate Bertram in the West Virginia Mountains and Joel Bukenya’s orphanage and school in Uganda.
Other missionaries include Karl Faehling in Pennsylvania, John Fain, Michael Wright and David Walker in Thailand and Kevin Boyd’s student ministry at Wake Forest University.
Local mission outreach include monthly support for Weekday Religious Educatino, Straight Street in Clifton Forge and the Clifton Forge Food Pantry.
Oak Hill is in pertnership with TAP and St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia) who provide students to do property upgrades in the Highlands once a year.
The 50th anniversary celebration will be held Sunday, Sept. 13 with a praise and worship service at 9:15 a.m. and the morning worship celebration service at 10:30 a.m.
Former associate pastor, Leonard Burks will be the guest speaker.
A catered dinner will be held in the Fellowship Room at 12:15 p.m. to be followed by an afternoon concert performance by The Expressions.
