In the year 1901, the Green Grove Church began under a brush arbor.  Pioneering leaders were Brother Henry Green, for whom the church was named, Brother Henry Ross and several others.  Ministers assisting in the organization were Reverend J.S. May, Reverend Sam Reynolds, Reverend Nelson Yarbrough and Reverend E.B. Douglas.   After months of service under the brush arbor, they moved to the Odd Fellow hall in the same community on Telfair Street.  The congregation grew and converts multiplied.  After a few years, Reverend Nelson Yarbrough was chosen as the Sheppard of the flock.  Though friends were few, Reverend Yarbrough worked with courage as he looked to God to give him the strength to build a house of worship.  After years of toil and strife, he passed on to the great beyond.  Following Reverend Yarbrough as pastor was Reverend Lewis Ramsey, a man of loving personality and a willingness to lead this little Christian army in the way of the Lord.   Early deacons were Deacon Leo Webster, Deacon George Johnson, Deacon James Chatman, Deacon Reuben Fordham, Deacon Elbert Dudley and Deacon Freeman Kellam.   The following pastors came in succession:  Reverend Prince Adkins, Reverend George Cullens, Reverend T.W. Callaway, Reverend B.H. Driskell and Reverend C.C. Parham.  During Reverend Parham’s pastorate, the church began celebrating her anniversary.  Under the leadership of the previously named pastors, the congregation grew, souls were added to the church, the building was sealed and electric lights were added.    In the 1920’s the Reverend N.C. Connor from Swainsboro, GA served as pastor.  Many confessed Christ and were added to the church during this period.  Three ministers were ordained:  Reverend J.G. Haggins, Reverend Leo (Dock) Burch and Reverend James Davis.  Five deacons were ordained:  Brother Tony Stanley, Brother Buster Randolph Brother George Davis, Brother Willie Hill, Brother John Henry Lattimore and Brother Jesse Babb.

     During the pastorate of Reverend Connor, another church lot was purchased and a new foundation laid.  So great was his preaching that multitudes came from near and far, assembling on this sacred spot.  A great comfort was found in hearing the fiery messages of this gospel preacher.   The Reverend T. W. Groover, the father of all and of great report, followed Reverend N.C. Connor.  He was a man of some years, but during his pastorate, many young people were added to the church family.  Plans were developed to build the present church, which was completed in 1927.   The Second Sunday in September was a happy day.  The congregation sang, prayed, shouted, ate and raised $100.00.  What a grand and noble sight that was!  In the year of 1927, during the leadership of the Reverend T.W. Goover, Brother Clarence Cooper was appointed doorkeeper.  After three years of service, Reverend Groover sought another fold.  The Reverend J.L. Dudley was called as pastor; however, he soon married and left for greener pasture.  Deacon Willie Hill and Deacon Lorenzo Ray organized a Deacon Aid Club in 1930.  Through this organization and with the cooperation of others officers and members, the debts were paid. 

     In 1932, the Reverend W.A. Reynolds was called.  His preaching brought crowds and more improvement to the church.  A piano was purchased, choir was organized, and baptismal pool and a well were also constructed.  A Senior Missionary Department was organized under the leadership of Reverend W.A. Reynolds and Sister Dora Woodum was the first president.  Other presidents were Sister Fannie Conaway, Sister Eliza Southern, Sister Lucy Kelly and Sister Connie Wells.  Sister Willie Maude serves as the current president.   The Ushers’ Board was officially organized and Sister Dora Woodum was the first president.  Other presidents were Sister Lillie Mae Collins, Brother John Henry Clark, Sister Fannie Conaway, Sister Lillian Jones, Sister Elizabeth Bell, Sister Eula Mae Stanley, Brother Theron Wells and Sister Joann Fullwood.  Sister Johanna White presently serves as president of the Ushers’ Board.  In 1935, the Reverend J.M. Benton became pastor.  He reorganized the church and more souls were added.  The church was remodeled, painted inside and outside.  Brother V.O. Mason and Brother Henry Douglas were ordained as deacons.  Reverend F.T. Tanksley followed Reverend Benton and under his pastorate, church debts were paid.  Brother Thurmon Cooper and Brother Albert Ravon were ordained as ministers.  Brother Wilson Washington, Brother William Bell and Brother Douglas Mason were ordained as deacons.   A Junior Missionary Department (Youth Department) was organized with Sister Idella Robinson as directress, followed by Sister Geraldine Wells.  Brother Jeffery Sims served as director with Sister Earldine Reed as assistant Directress, followed by Sister Johanna White and Sis. Gloria Isaac.  Presently serving as Youth Coordinator is Sister Sherlie Rozier.  Reverend O.D. Hightower followed Reverend Tanksley in 1962 and served until 1978.  During his pastorate, Deacon Wilson Washington was ordained as a minister.  Brother Charlie Robinson, Brother Willie Horne, Brother Spencer Scrutchins and Brother Charles Holder were ordained as deacons.  Industrial growth included an annex, kitchen, pastor’s study, new pews, pulpit furniture and storm windows.  A Deaconess Ministry was organized in 1969.  Sister Inell Washington was the first president, followed by Sister Mattie Holder, Sister Doretha Smith, Sister Geraldine Wells and Sister Vivian Chappell.  Presently, Sister Lucy Stanley serves as president.  Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, located on Academy Avenue, attributes her origin to a member of this church.  Reverend J.G. Haggins was the pastor during that time.

     Reverend Milton Hughes was called in 1978.  He celebrated his 29th anniversary in July, 2007.  Changes continued to occur.  The bathrooms were remodeled, new pews bought and covered with cushions, new carpet was placed in the sanctuary, pulpit furniture and front chairs recovered, sidewalks poured, various repairs and paint work completed around the church.  A telephone was installed and property was purchased on both sides and in front of the church on the corner of Linder and Woodard Street.  The front property on Telfair was also purchased, including the house on Woodard Street and a house on Stewart Avenue.  A more efficient public address system, a heavy-duty copier, two fifteen passenger vans and a new piano were purchased, as well as a steam table, computer and a new refrigerator.   The Church continued to present opportunities for changes and additions.   Other purchases included TV/monitor, lawn mower & trailer, and new screen door leading into the fellowship hall.  The sanctuary was re-carpeted and painted.  Two handicap ramps were constructed, one for the front of the church and the other in the back of the fellowship hall.  Two freezers were donated to the church.   Under Reverend Hughes’ pastorate, four ministers were ordained:  Reverend Spencer Scrutchins, Reverend Donald Mason, Reverend Robert Fullwood and Reverend Willie Edmond.  Reverend Johnnie Wilmore, Junior joined this church as an ordained minister in June 1996.   Four deacons were ordained:  Brother Freddie Wright, Brother Willie Edmond, Brother James Holder and Brother O.D. Wells.  Present deacons are:  Deacon James Holder, Deacon Willie Horne, Deacon George Washington, Deacon O.D. Wells and Deacon Freddie Wright.  Sister Willie Pearl Mason presently serves as Mother of the Church.  Past mothers have been Sister Emma Webster, Sister Mary Smith, Sister Hester Woodard, Sister Mary Frances Douglas and Sister Lubitha Babb.  Presently, Sister Vivian Chappell serves as church secretary.  Past church secretaries have been Sister Uneeda Tolbert Kellam, Sister Alberta Bridges, Deacon Freeman Kellam, Deacon Henry Douglas, Sister Doris Washington and Sister Geraldine Wells.  Sister Clara Guyton serves as the financial secretary.  Former financial secretaries have been Sister Brenda Lindsey and Sister Wanda Dixon. 

     The church has five choirs:  Senior, Youth & Young Adult, Male Chorus, the Senior Citizens and the Children’s Choir.  Musicians for the Senior Choir have been Sister Slater Bates, Sister Irene Coates (served 40 years), Sister Bertha Jones, Sister Vivian Malone, Sister Linda Wright, Sister Cheryl Wilcox and Sister Anita Hill.  Presently, Sister Lenora Lane serves as musician.  Sister Wendy Smith Hines, Brother Cody Waters, Brother Dianco Holder, Sister Anita Hill and Brother Dedrick Guyton have served as musicians for the Youth and Young Adult Choir.  Sister Jacqueline Holmes presently serves as musician.  Brother Oliver Lewis (until his death in March 1997), Sister Cheryl Wilcox and Sister Lenora Lane served as musicians for the Male Chorus.  Presently, Sister Anita Hill serves as the musician.  Sister Linda Wright served as the first musician for the Senior Citizens Choir until April 2003.  Presently, Sister Lenora Lane serves as the musician.  Sister Gwen Watkins is the Directress of the Children’s Choir and assisted by Sister Kia Carswell.

     Deacon Henry Douglas served as Superintendent of Sunday school for fifty years.  Presently, Deacon Willie Horne is the Superintendent of the Sunday school.  Brother Rashad Walden is a trainee for this position.   Past presidents of the B.T.U. have been Brother Ezekiel Cooper, Deacon Willie Hill, Brother Walter Ivey, Deacon Corbett, Brother Lorenzo Ray, Deacon Willie Edmond and Deacon O.D. Wells.  Directresses & Directors of our Vacation Bible School have been Sister Lucille Harris, Sister Idella Robinson, Sister Mamie Ravon , Sister Marie Holder, Brother Sammie Robinson, Sister Lena Robinson, Sister Earldine Reed, Sister Thelma Ashley , and Sister Naomi Lewis.   Sister Beverly Holder currently coordinates the Vacation Bible School.  A Laymen’s Ministry was organized and Deacon James Holder and Deacon O.D. Wells served as the presidents.   A Mission-In-Action Ministry was organized in February 1990.  Sister Vivian Chappell was the first president.  Past presidents have been Sister Beverly Orange, Sister Joann Fullwood, Sister Marie Holder and Sister Linda Griffin.  Additional ministries and their leaders are:  Singles Ministry – Sister Johanna White, President; First Aid Ministry – Sister Earnestine Holder, Directress; Van Ministry – Brother Wilbert Bouie, Director; Food Bank Ministry – Sister Annette Clayton, Directress; Kitchen Ministry – Sister Odessa Martin; Saints With A Testimony (S.W.A.T.)  – Sister Ann Ross.  The Pastor and the Sons of the House direct prison and Nursing Home Ministries.  We also recognize those members whose names may have been inadvertently omitted for their contributions in building the Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

     On December 31, 2013, the Green Grove African Baptist Church relocated from 317 Linder Street to 2418, Highway 441 South.  In 2016, under the leadership of Rev. Milton Hughes, the Church legally adopted the name, Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church.  On March 16, 2018, Pastor Hughes was called from labor to reward, after serving 39 years, 7 months, and 15 days, and to this date, being the longest serving pastor of the Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

     On Saturday, April 13, 2019, God spoke and the Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church Membership elected our present Pastor, Rev. Dr. Carl Anthony Wardlaw.   He was officially installed as Pastor on the 4^th Sunday, April 28, 2019.  His father, Rev. Dr. Carl Wardlaw, Jr., preached the Installation Sermon. 

     As of December 15, 2019, under the leadership of Pastor Wardlaw, 9 new members have joined the Church by Christian experience, and two have been baptized.  We have added televisions to each classrooms, Pastor’s Office, and Social Hall.  The sound-system has been upgraded; on-line giving is available, and three new ministries have been added:  Pastor’s Support Reclamation, and Youth Fellowship.  The Kitchen Ministry was also re-named, “Culinary Ministry.” The Church conducted a Membership Drive in order that every member is accounted for.  Currently, the Membership is recorded at 201.  The Membership continues to grow in Christ through the knowledgeable ability of Pastor Wardlaw to spread the Word through preaching and teaching.