Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and on the profession of faith, having been baptized in the name of the father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, andels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body on Christ.

Historical Highlights of Altha Grove Baptist Church The beginning of Altha Grove's rich history began on the year of 1873 as Sandy Level Baptist Church. The famous Civil War General Thomas T. Munford donated the land for the present Altha Grove Baptist Church out of the estate he had purchased from Albert McDaniel a plantation owner in the area. The original church was destroyed by fire, the exact date unknown, but was reconstructed by members during that era and re-named Altha Grove Baptist Church. It was rebuilt as a small White frame church and school where many of the ancestors of Altha Grove were educated. During the early years of Sandy Level and Altha Grove there was no cemetery according to a historical piece published by one of our neighbors (Chris Siveredes) the burial of many African Americans was on the land of Kitsmont plantation located on Cottontown Road known to our congregation as the Siveredes land, until the Altha Church had a cemetery in the early 1900's.

The members of Altha Grove saved for years to build our current sanctuary with the late Deacon Dennis Davis being the Building Fund treasurer. When it was time for construction to begin his duty changed, and Trustee Harry McDaniel resumed that duty to ensure enough funds were available for project completion. In 1981 the members of the Altha Grove Baptist Church voted for construction under the direction of the late Deacon Dennis Davis, and the late Leslie Addison, a neighbor with the expertise in building churches throughout the community and many other dedicated members while Dr. N.S. Walker was serving as pastor. After construction, there was "no mortgage due upon completion" and the church family marched from the old building to the new in spring of 1982. The old church and school was demolished, the school stood at the end of our current parking lot and the old church was the site of our newly constructed fellowship hall built in 2011. On March 16, 2013 the only mortgage burning service to date was held.

Over the course of 143 years Altha Grove had to pay, eleven pastors, namely, Rev. Abraham Brown, founding pastor with heirs of his family still serving today, Rev. James Shelton, Rev. James L. McDaniel, Rev. J.R. Nelson, Rev. Roy Austin, Rev. R.C. Pasley, Rev. William Tyree, Rev. Dr. N.S Walker, Rev. Warren Anderson, Rev. Thomas Harper and current pastor Rev. Marcus G Jones.

Altha Grove's rich history continues with our first pianist bringing her own organ to the church, the late Mrs. Ollie Davis Craighead and served for over fifty years and then her daughter Mrs. Thelma Davis resumed that duty and served for forty five years. Altha Grove's rich history continues with having the late Mrs. Lena Davis Pullen serving for over fifty years as church clerk and the late Deacon James W. Davis serving over fifty years as the church treasurer, and the late Deacon Layton Marshall serving for over forty years.


Altha Grove’s rich history furthers from its membership having service two Sunday’s a month to service every Sunday starting in the early nineties. From the earliest part of our church, Altha Grove always had Sunday school with many dedicated superintendents keeping it going every Sunday. Altha Grove currently has many ministries and organizations and regular Wednesday night Bible study started under the leadership of Rev. Warren Anderson.

Altha Grove's history has generations of families being Deacons, Trustees, and church treasures, ushers, sextons, and choir members, and most serving until their health would not allow. Some are still part of our congregation today in their golden years.

Altha Grove’s history started with the early generation of members, most being farmers and homemakers in the neighborhood, proposed greatly using their limited resources to maintain the old church and save for the sanctuary that was constructed in 1981. Their heirs hold many different professions in today's society. Altha Grove members have produced many members to be the first African American to accomplish this task, from the first black school board member of Bedford County public school from the Forest/Boonsboro district, and many other offices and positions for African Americans, and when they ask what church they came from or their families, "they proudly say Altha Grove Baptist Church Forest, VA.

Altha Grove's history remains rich with their membership being faithful and dedicated to serving our Lord and studding the greatest book ever written "the Bible". We hope to continue prospering spiritually and pursing the vision God has for our congregation. Altha Grove's members have been blessed with longevity our oldest member namely Mrs. Georgia Everett was 111 years old when she passed just recently. We still have two members over 100 years old, namely Mrs. Virginia Jefferson and Mrs. Thelma Davis. We honor all past members and present members today for making contribution to 143 years. Altha Grove Baptist Church is truly rich in history.