Majestic, strong, over-shadowing, deep rooted and resilient the mighty oak has not only come to symbolize the heritage of Mobile, but also the heritage of Government Street Baptist Church. Government Street is well rooted in the history of several mighty churches who would separately spread their roots and graft their branches to give life to the Government Street Baptist Church.
THE OAKDALE ROOT
From the mission mindedness of Palmetto Street Baptist Church on June 11, 1907, Oakdale Baptist Church was organized with thirty-seven members. Its first building in 1909 was a wood structure on Bay Avenue. It served as church home until a new masonry structure was completed in 1927. An educational unit was added in 1955 with other additions in 1966.
Oakdale’s mission roots grew early. In 1909 it would begin the Cedar Street Mission that would eventually become Calvary Baptist Church. Twenty-nine members from Oakdale were granted letters to the new Calvary Church. In the Baker Community in 1925 the church established a mission Sunday School work. In 1940 the church extended its mission roots by purchasing property on Duval and Partridge Streets. This property was to become the Arlington Street mission. Some years later the mission property would be sold to the U.S. government to construct Brookley. However, the mission building would be moved to Leo and Grove Streets and later given to Ann Street Baptist Church.
During the 1970’s and 80’s the Oakdale community experienced many changes. The closing of Brookley Air Force Base and the construction of I-10 were to be contributing factors to its decline in membership.
By 1977 Oakdale would purchase property in west Mobile on Schillinger Road to establish the Oakhill Mission. Then in 1983 the Oakhill Chapel would merge with Ann Street Baptist Church to become Woodridge Baptist Church.
By 1985 Oakdale unanimously voted to merge with West End Baptist Church to become Government Street Baptist Church. Oakdale sold its property to another congregation with proceeds of the sale going to Southern Baptist causes.
THE WEST END ROOT
In the late 1920’s the Dauphin Way Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church were influential in the chartering of West End Baptist Church on July 24, 1928. Interestingly, West End was organized in the Palmes Chapel Methodist Church following a revival by Dr. W. H. Evans of First Baptist Church of Prichard. Both First Baptist Church of Mobile and Dauphin Way Baptist Church would give money to purchase West End’s first property on Mohawk Street. During the next thirty years the church grew purchasing additional properties and building a three story educational plant. In 1962 it proceeded with plans to build a larger sanctuary. Its first service in the new facility was held on November 3, 1963. West End’s ministry to the community grew because of its successful daycare and Christian school which today is one of the oldest schools in Mobile.
THE GOVERNMENT STREET ROOT
As West End, the church, continued to grow and the Oakdale community continued to change, in the 1980’s an eventual grafting of the Oakdale Baptist Church and the West End Baptist Church roots would come by a merger of the two congregations on April 1, 1985. During the next few years the growth of Government Street excelled through its Sunday School, Discipleship Training, mission organizations, school, daycare, athletic programs, and senior adults ministries.
Due to the growth and foresight, Government Street in 1988 purchased five acres of property at Government Blvd. and I-65. After the construction of a service road in 1991-92, adjacent to I-65 and connecting Government Blvd. with Halls Mill Road, the property owners deeded an additional 10 acres to the church. The service road was given to the City of Mobile. It would not be until May 1993 that the church would vote to build a 49,000 square foot facility. With the 2157 Government Street property being sold, the church moved into its new 3401 Government Blvd. property in 1995. On May 21 of that year the church held its first service of dedication in the new facility.
The blessings and growth of Government Street have continued since 1995. So much so, that in 2004 the church once again dedicated a new multi-purpose facility. Housing new classrooms for the daycare, school and church, a state of the art gymnasium with a weight room, refreshment room, walking track, showers, and recreational facilities, the church is positioned for added growth.
THE TOULMINVILLE/WOODMONT ROOT
On July 30, 1916 the Toulminville Baptist Church was organized and chartered with twenty-one members. An old blacksmith shop was used as its first meeting place. During the next fifty years Toulminville experienced the joys of growth and the sadness of decline. Thirteen pastors would serve the church before its relocation to West Mobile. Changing its name to Woodmont Baptist Church in 1968 it moved to temporary facilities on Azalea Road. On September 29, 1968 the church broke ground for a new facility at 445 Azalea Road. The church held its first service in the new building on November 23, 1969.
For the next twenty-four years Woodmont served the Azalea Road and Mobile community well. It saw a good growth until its peak in attendance in 1987. With the westward movement of Mobile and the aging and declining membership, the church struggled in the late 1990’s to remain vibrant. By 2003 the church, now without a pastor and aging, decided with God’s leadership to seek other avenues for continued ministry.
In September 2003 the Government Street Baptist Church family informally proposed to shepherd the Woodmont family during its transition. By November 2003 Woodmont had accepted Government Street’s formal offer for shepherding. Woodmont held its last service on November 23, 2003. Selling its property to a sister Baptist Church and giving offerings to many religious causes the church moved into the Government Street facilities until February 2004. After three months for all Woodmont members to make any transition, the Woodmont Baptist Church formerly merged with Government Street on February 29, 2004.
What We Believe
ABOUT GOD We believe in one God who eternally exists as three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). God alone is the Creator, Redeemer, and Ruler of the universe. Jesus is the Son of God. He became human to reveal God to us and to become the Savior of the world. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, and lives within all true Christians.
ABOUT THE SCRIPTURES We believe the Holy Bible was written by men, divinely inspired, and is the record of God’s revelation of Himself to man. The Bible is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It is the supreme standard for judging all human conduct.
ABOUT MAN We believe man was created in the image of God as the crowning work of creation. Man was originally created without sin, but freely chose to disobey God and thereby brought sin upon the entire human race. Only the grace of God can restore fellowship with God.
ABOUT SALVATION We believe salvation is offered freely to all who will accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Salvation is a work of God’s grace, whereby sinners become forgiven children of God by trusting and following Jesus.
ABOUT THE CHURCH We believe the Church to be the body of Christ, which includes all who have trusted in Jesus throughout all ages. The church exists to glorify God by loving Him and making Him known to others.
ABOUT BAPTISM We believe Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This symbolizes a believer’s faith in the risen Savior as well as the believer’s death to sin. We believe baptism should follow a person’s commitment to trust and follow Jesus.
ABOUT THE LORD’S SUPPER We believe the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience, which helps Christians to recall, celebrate, and give thanks for Jesus’ death by receiving the bread and cup. We observe the Lord’s supper regularly throughout the year.
ABOUT END TIMES We believe God, in His own time and way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. Jesus will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth. The dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all men. The righteous, through faith in Jesus, will be given resurrected and glorified bodies. They will receive their rewards and will live forever in heaven with the Lord.
