“What if these walls could talk?” someone might whisper standing before Mount Oak Church. This isn’t just a church. It’s a story etched in time.
Mount Oak Church was originally built in 1881. It has seen significant changes over the years. The most significant expansion occurred in 1994. By 1998, the church body grew. Average weekly attendance reached 900. They had a thriving youth and children’s ministry.
However, attendance declined for various reasons. In March 2023, Mount Oak Church voted to disaffiliate. This was from the Baltimore Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. They had until December 31, 2023, to make specified payments.
In September 2023, Mount Oak Church reached out to Belcroft Bible Church for help. In late October, the congregation voted to approve the sale. They sold its property and furnishings to Belcroft Bible Church.
Belcroft Bible Church acquired the 16.6-acre property. This included all furnishings and equipment. Mount Oak Church is also known as Mount Oak Fellowship. It is located at 14110 Mount Oak Road in Bowie, Maryland.
The church property includes a 6.3-acre cemetery. It was established in 1905. The cemetery sits at the southwest corner of Church Road and Woodmore Road. Belcroft Bible Church will continue to maintain the cemetery.
Belcroft Bible Church currently worships on Beechtree Lane in Bowie. Their church building was built in 1968. Worship services will transfer to Mount Oak in late summer 2024. This follows renovations and upgrades. The current Belcroft Bible Church property will be sold.
Mount Oak United Methodist Church held a day camp in 2016. This event shows its commitment to community engagement.
Mount Oak Church also supported various outreach programs. They organized trips to Mission Central. People assembled supplies for disaster relief. They assisted Orphan Grain Train. This helped Christian orphanages. The church organized Bowie Street Reach. Teens and adults aided homeowners with yard work. Before Thanksgiving, they collected food for needy families.
Ladies knitted and crocheted items for those in need. They collected backpacks and school supplies for children. Support was provided to individuals and families. They made sandwiches for the homeless. The church collected food for the Bowie Food Pantry.
Current Mount Oak Church members can join Belcroft Bible Church. They can attend other area churches. Belcroft Bible Church allowed eXtend Homeschool Tutorial to continue using the facilities. The Boy Scouts of America could also continue until the school year ended. Mount Oak Church worship services ceased after December 31, 2023.
Imagine the echoes of hymns. Picture the community gatherings. Mount Oak Church’s story is one of faith and change. It is a legacy that continues through Belcroft Bible Church. The spirit of Mount Oak remains. It lives on in the community and its history.