The founders of Shady Oak Baptist Church were early share croppers in the Fairview and Hillside communities of Greenville , South Carolina . Those whose ancestors were brought to America as slaves started looking for a place to worship. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, so a new found desire to live free existed among the former slaves. In the year of 1872, six men, who religiously served God and mankind had an idea. They had been worshipping in the balcony, which they called the galley, in the Fairview Presbyterian Church, which was a White church. When not at church, they worshipped in their homes or in a small barn on Peden farm near what would be the future church sight. These services were held to fill a great spiritual need.

The six men were, Dozier Dial (related to the Woods, the Bradleys, and the Johnsons) John Thompson (related to the Smiths, the Terrys, the Hills, the Durants, and the Epps) Edward Fowler (related to the Fowlers, the Durants, the Epps, and the Thompsons) Anderson Epps (related to the Simpsons, the Durants, the McMahands, the Sullivans, the Thompsons, and the Fowlers) John Austin (related to the Mills, the Rogers, the Epps, and the Sullivans) B. Terry (related to the Smiths, the Dennis', the Terrys, and the Logans) Some of the other families at that time were the Jacksons, the Hudgens, the McDaniels, the Logans, and the Chandlers .

All of this information is recorded in the records of the Fairview Archives. These six men leading a committed group of people were able to bring their dream into being a reality. The first land was purchased from Miss Mattie Hopkins, a White female landowner for the price of $24.00 and the first church was built on McKittrick Road , in the Hillside section of the Fairview Community. It was built in a small grove of oak trees, thus giving the church its name based on these beautiful surroundings. Many times the church and community would go there to rest and visit with friends and relatives after a long hard day on the farm. They could relax in the cool shade of the Oak trees. During this period a Pastor had not been called to serve. The leaders of the church conducted worship services. Many times members of the White community came and sat in the back pews. The first man of God who came to serve as Pastor was Rev. James W. Hill. He was highly recommended by the Fairview Presbyterian Church. He was educated through the ministry of their church in Missions and Outreach. He attended Columbia College of Religion and the Union Theological Seminary. Even though he was Black, he had served as an assistant to the Pastor at Fairview . His job was to teach Sunday School at Fairview . In those days the Whites were allowed to use the first floor classrooms, while Blacks used the balcony. Rev. Hill was considered a scholar by both races.

In 1990, Rev. Ronald D. Barton , one of the sons of Shady Oak became the eighth Pastor. Under his leadership the church has grown numerically and organizationally. Under his teaching about the Kingdom of God , the church has moved to new spiritual heights.

In 1997 he led the church in renovating the Family Life Center into the Worship Center and on Easter that year they occupied that place.

In 1999, he led the church in purchasing 12 acres of land right across White Horse Road . In 2003, under his leadership the congregation built and occupied its present worship facility, which will seat 1,000 people and will eventually be the gymnasium. Future plans are to open the Shady Oak Community Empowerment Center and build the Faith Dome.

Our history shows what God has brought us through but most of all where God has brought us to. In His service we work. In His calling we minister. In His love we reach mankind. In His joy we work diligently to become "a thriving, healthy community of faith that reaches people for God and makes advances for the Kingdom of God ."