Our History
Rooted in Faith. Growing in Community.
The story of Ox Hill Baptist Church begins in the summer of 1958, when a group of members from First Baptist Church of Herndon led a Vacation Bible School in Chantilly. What started as a small neighborhood outreach quickly grew into a new mission church, with the first worship service held at the Chantilly Firehouse on October 5, 1958.
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In less than a year, the church purchased a house in the Ox Hill subdivision, giving the young congregation a permanent place to gather. In 1960, Rev. Grady Nowell became the first pastor, followed by Rev. Thomas Anderson in 1964.
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On September 23, 1967, Ox Hill Baptist Church was officially constituted with 77 charter members—some of whom are still active today. The 1970s marked a period of steady growth under Dr. Walter Farrar’s leadership, including the dedication of a newly built sanctuary in 1971. In 1978, the church launched its Mother’s Day Out program, which served families in the community for 45 years.
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Through the 1980s and 1990s, the church expanded in size, staffing, and outreach under the leadership of Dr. L. Dean Majette, who served faithfully from 1984 to 2016. During this time, the church launched two Sunday morning worship services, grew its children and youth ministries, and began English language classes in response to the area’s growing international population.
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In 2010, OHBC helped plant Iglesia Rio Poderoso, a Spanish-speaking congregation that continues to worship in our shared space today.
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In more recent years, OHBC has adapted to both the challenges and opportunities of a changing world. After Dr. Majette’s retirement, the church called Rev. Bradley Boberg in 2019, whose leadership emphasized spiritual formation and helped guide the church through the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Online worship and digital discipleship became vital tools during this season.
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Facility updates and outreach expansions followed, including renovations to the children’s wing, the launch of Children’s Church, and increased partnerships with local nonprofits. In 2024, following Rev. Boberg’s transition to denominational work, OHBC called Dr. Jeff Willetts as Transitional Pastor. He joins a revitalized ministry team working alongside Rev. Brenda Hafer (Associate Pastor for Children, Youth & Young Adults), Rachel Harrington (Minister of Music), and Rev. Wilson Macá (Minister of International Ministries).
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Throughout our history, Ox Hill Baptist Church has remained committed to sharing the love of Christ, responding to the needs of our community, and growing as a faithful, inclusive, and missional congregation.
