Church History Timeline

January–April 1975 – Early Discussions and Planning Meetings

In early 1975, a group of devoted Christians in Edmond, Maddocha, began gathering to discuss the formation of a new church that would serve the growing spiritual needs of the local community. These discussions took place at the home of Deacon Elijah Simmons, a well-respected community member with a deep passion for evangelism. Among those attending these meetings were Sister Clara Jones, a pillar of the local Christian community known for her hospitality, Brother James "Jim" Foster, a businessman with experience in church administration, and Sister Lillian Marshall, a dedicated prayer warrior and Sunday school teacher from another local church. Other members included Sister Naomi Ellison, Sister Verna Mae Whitfield, Sister Henrietta Green, Brother Rufus Caldwell, Brother Elijah Thornton, Brother Amos Blackwell, and Brother Lemuel Dixon. The group often met on Saturday evenings in the living room of Deacon Simmons' house, where they would pray, study scripture, and discuss logistics for organizing the church.

Rev. David Carver, a friend of Deacon Simmons, told him about a preacher friend from Sunnyvale, Maddocha, named Rev. Hollis Clevenger, Jr. Deacon Simmons invited him to join them in planning the new church. After much prayer, Rev. Clevenger and his family accepted the call. The group agreed early on that their church would be built on four pillars: preaching, teaching, fellowship, and prayer, modeled after the Apostles' example in the book of Acts. The group wanted to create a place that would provide sound biblical teaching and be a center for the community where families could grow in faith together.

As the group grew in number and enthusiasm, they began meeting at the Lincoln Community Center. This small but functional space could accommodate the larger gatherings with Rev. Holliger preaching at the services. Here, more people joined the discussion, including Brother Charles Hampton, who later became the church’s first financial secretary, and Sister Betty Franklin, known for her organizational skills and leadership in women’s ministry.

May 15, 1975 – Formal Organization and Charter Signing

After months of planning, Greater Glory Baptist Church was officially organized on May 15, 1975, at a special charter meeting at Brother James Foster’s business office in downtown Edmond. The room was filled with anticipation and joy as Deacon Simmons, Sister Clara Jones, Brother Foster, and 25 other charter members, including Rev. Hollis Clevenger, Jr., Brother Charles Hampton, Sister Betty Franklin, Deaconess Pearl McIntyre, Brother Robert Turner, and Sister Eunice Adams, signed the church's foundational charter. Everyone present felt the weight of responsibility and excitement as they committed to the church’s mission and purpose.

Rev. Hollis Clevenger, Jr. was officially installed as the first pastor. Rev. Clevenger, known for his passionate sermons and compassionate heart, had already earned the trust and admiration of the group. During the charter meeting, he delivered a powerful sermon on Psalm 24:7–8, declaring that the new church would give "Greater Glory" to God in all it did. The name Greater Glory Baptist Church was unanimously agreed upon, as it reflected their deep desire to glorify God through their ministry.

June 22, 1975 – Groundbreaking Ceremony at 4576 Brooker Street

Less than a month after the church’s official formation, the congregation held a groundbreaking ceremony for their first permanent building. The land at 4576 Brooker Street was generously donated by Sister Clara Jones' family, longtime supporters of local churches, and believed in the vision for Greater Glory. The groundbreaking was a joyous event attended by over 50 people from the local community. Rev. Clevenger led the ceremony with a stirring message from Isaiah 54:2: "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes."

The church’s construction was overseen by Brother James Foster, who used his business connections to secure discounted building materials and volunteers from the congregation. Rev. Hollis Clevenger, Jr. was hands-on throughout, working alongside contractors and congregation members to complete the church. Members of the church, including Brother Robert Turner (a skilled carpenter) and Deacon Elijah Simmons, worked alongside professional contractors to build the structure. Even children and youth from the church pitched in, cleaning up the site and providing refreshments for the workers.

February 1976 – Completion and Dedication of the Church Building

After 8 months of diligent work, the church building was completed in February 1976. The building featured a sanctuary seated 150 people, a fellowship hall, and offices for Rev. Clevenger and the church administration. The first service in the new building was held on a bright Sunday morning, and the sanctuary was filled. The dedication service was an emotional and triumphant moment for the congregation, who had poured their hearts and resources into making the church a reality. Rev. Clevenger delivered a sermon titled "A House for His Glory," based on 2 Chronicles 7:16.

The church quickly became a focal point in the community, offering worship services, Bible studies, fellowship dinners, and outreach programs for needy families. Under Rev. Clevenger's leadership, the church established a Wednesday Night Prayer Service, led by Sister Lillian Marshall, and a Sunday School Program led by Sister Betty Franklin.

September 21, 1984 – Passing of Rev. Hollis Clevenger, Jr.

Tragedy struck the church when Rev. Clevenger passed away on September 21, 1984, after a battle with Cancer. His sudden death left the congregation in mourning, as he had been a spiritual father to many. Rev. Clevenger’s legacy was honored with a large funeral service at the church, where speakers included Deacon Elijah Simmons, Sister Clara Jones, and pastors from neighboring churches. Rev. Clevenger’s leadership had helped solidify Greater Glory as a respected and growing church in the community, and his loss was felt deeply.

During the following months, Deacon Simmons and Brother Foster took on more significant leadership roles, helping guide the church through reflection and transition. They formed a search committee to find a new pastor, while Sister Lillian Marshall led the congregation in weekly prayer meetings, asking God to provide wisdom during this challenging time.

1984–1989 – Interim Pastors and Continued Growth

During this transition, several interim pastors served Greater Glory Baptist Church. Rev. Charles Winston, a retired pastor from a neighboring town, was invited to preach on Sundays. At the same time, Deaconess Pearl McIntyre and other church leaders took on additional responsibilities for running the church's day-to-day operations. Despite the uncertainty, the congregation continued to grow, and several new families joined the church during this period. The Children’s Ministry, led by Sister Eunice Adams, flourished, with dozens of children attending weekly Sunday School classes.

1990 – Appointment of Rev. Lloyd Norman as Pastor

In 1990, the church found a permanent leader, Rev. Lloyd Norman, a well-known and charismatic preacher. Rev. Norman had a vision for expanding both the physical and spiritual footprint of Greater Glory Baptist Church. Shortly after his arrival, the congregation voted to relocate to a larger property at 9810 Franklin Street, as the original building could no longer accommodate the growing membership. Rev. Norman oversaw the construction of a new sanctuary that could seat 500 people, along with a modern fellowship hall that included classrooms for Sunday School, Bible study, and other church functions.

Rev. Norman's leadership also introduced new initiatives, including a Youth Discipleship Program led by Brother James Foster Jr. and a Women’s Prayer Circle coordinated by Sister Betty Franklin. He was known for his dynamic preaching, drawing people from across the city, and his sermons often focused on spiritual growth, family values, and community involvement.

1990s – Expansion and Increased Community Involvement

Throughout the 1990s, Greater Glory Baptist Church expanded not only its membership but also its outreach efforts. The church became actively involved in community service projects, including food drives, clothing donations, and educational support for local schools. Rev. Norman encouraged the congregation to live out their faith through acts of service, and the church began collaborating with local non-profits and government programs to serve Edmond and Maddocha's needs better.

The church also expanded its Christian Education Programs, offering adult Bible study groups led by Rev. Elijah Simmons and youth-focused classes coordinated by Sister Marietta Jackson. The Choir Ministry, led by Prof. Charles Hampton, became a hallmark of the church’s worship services, known for its uplifting performances and community concerts.

2000 – Rev. Norman Becomes Ill and Recommends Rev. Samuel Bailey Wilson, III

In 2000, after serving the church for a decade, Rev. Norman’s health began to decline, and he informed the congregation that he would be stepping down as pastor. Before doing so, he recommended Rev. Samuel Bailey Wilson, III, a pastor leading revival services at Greater Glory for several years. Rev. Wilson was known for his fiery preaching and dedication to discipleship, and he had already built strong relationships within the church.

The congregation unanimously voted to appoint Rev. Wilson as their new pastor. His first sermon as pastor was titled "A New Season of Glory," in which he outlined his vision for leading the church into the 21st century.

Post-2000 – Pastorate of Rev. Samuel Bailey Wilson, III

Under Rev. Wilson’s leadership, Greater Glory Baptist Church continued to grow and thrive. One of his first actions was to expand the church’s classroom area, adding new spaces for Sunday School and Bible studies to accommodate the increasing number of attendees. Rev. Wilson also strongly emphasized prayer, establishing a 24-hour prayer line and a dedicated prayer room where members could come for quiet reflection or group prayer.

Rev. Wilson also revitalized the church’s missionary work, sending teams on local and international mission trips. He established new outreach programs, including a Community Health Initiative led by Brother Robert Turner, offering health screenings and educational workshops, and a Mentorship Program for at-risk youth, coordinated by Sister Lillian Marshall’s grandson, Brother David Marshall.