Oak City Baptist Church had its beginning in 1865, in meetings held in various homes in Raleigh's historic Method Community, first called "Slave Rent," then called "Slab Town," and later called "Mason Village," before a post office was established and the town renamed Method. Formed after Emancipation, when former slaves established their community and became owners of their own homes, the Method Community is bounded by Western Boulevard and Hillsborough Street, west of North Carolina State University.

In 1873, the church that is now Oak City Baptist Church was organized and built in a grove of small oak trees, not very far from its present location. It got its name either because of those oak trees or from the nickname of the City of Raleigh (The City of Oaks).

Those responsible for the creation of the church included original members Brothers Gilford Branch, Ausborn Branch, Lafayette Ligon, and Wash Ligon, among others. Oak City's first pastor was the Reverend Caesar Johnson, and other notable pastors during those early years included Reverends Mabry, Jack Poole, and Robert "Bob" Jones. The church has had 17 pastors during its history, with the longest term of office being 22 years, and the shortest being 11 months.

Oak City Baptist Church has a present membership of 385, with an even distribution of all ages, beginning at age 30. Young adults below age 30 are fewer in number, and the church has approximately 40 children who are below the age of accountability and are not listed as church members. The membership is composed of people from all economic backgrounds and occupations (professional, skilled, unskilled, retired, self-employed, and a few unemployed).

The present pastor is the Reverend Dr. William T. Newkirk, Sr., who is in his 22nd year with Oak City Baptist Church. The church has two associate ministers at the present: the Reverend Michael J. Pope, Sr.; and the Reverend Mary E. Smalls.

For more information concerning the ministries and personnel of the church, visit the other links on the Website.