Oasis of Praise Church
Oasis of Praise Church, formerly Shades Crest Church of God and Pocahontas Road Church of God, and Oasis of Praise Church of God, is a Church of God congregation which meets at 6922 Pocahontas Road, south of McCalla Elementary School in McCalla.
The church had dwindled to four members when retired U.S. Steel worker Allan Kendrick and his wife, Gay were called to the pulpit in 1983. Under his leadership membership gradually grew to more than 1,200, with weekly attendance of 600 to 700.
The church completed a new 300-seat sanctuary in 1986 and moved into its present building on August 13, 2000.
In July 2024 the Kendricks' grandson, Brandon, whom they had raised, shot and killed his wife and four children attending a birthday party at their home on Greentree Drive (Bibb County Road 112). Publicity from the crime led to multiple accusations against Allan Kendrick. The denominational office investigated some of the claims in anticipation of holding a hearing. In advance of that action, Kendrick retired from the pulpit.
Pastors
- Allan and Gay Kendrick, 1983–2025
- Patrick and Trista Cooper, 2025–
References
- "The Church Spotlight" (August 2, 2000) The Birmingham News, p. 4BC
- Garrison, Greg (February 7, 2025) "‘I’m gone': Pastor whose grandson is charged with killing five retires after 41 years" AL.com
External links
- Oasis of Praise website