• walk together in Christian love;
• strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort;
• promote its prosperity and spirituality;
• religiously educate our children;
• sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines;
• contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spreading of the gospel throughout all nations.

The church is the oldest institution in Black society. We are all aware of the special place
our church, pastor, and members occupy. Had
it not been for our forefathers and their need to worship an All Powerful God, Oakland would
be non-existent.

With the growth of a neighborhood called "bingham" an increasing desire for a neighborhood church also grew. Mrs. Sally Boyd, a member of Calvary Baptist Church at that time, made one of the first attempts to organize a Sunday School in
the community.

In 1915 another effort was made by the Rev. C.A. Hutchinson and Rev. Daniels. Classes were held in the home of Mrs. Perthenia Sharp on Herr Street. As time went by, another Sunday School was organized in the home of Mr. John A. Weaver. This movement was started by the Rev. Paul Vaughn and Rev. James Purvis. House to house visits were made throughout the community and this Sunday School grew and developed into a permanent organization.

In the Fall of 1916, Rev. and Mrs. Herbert Dallum moved to Bingham. They bought a house at 1225 Edward Avenue, now known as Algonquin Parkway. Rev. Dallum was called in November 1916 to Pastor at the Oakland Baptist Church. The church was named "Oakland" because of
two stones which were on the property bearing
the name "Oakland."

Oakland continued to grow under the leadership
of many Pastors. The one with the longest tenure thus far is the Rev. Dr. Alvin J. Elmore who pastored at Oakland from 1959–1999.

Oakland's present pastor, the Rev. James L. Wilson accepted God's call to leadership in
March 2003.