Oak Grove

Oak Grove, in southeastern Denton County, developed around a Methodist church organized by Rev. William E. Bates in 1851 and was named for an oak grove in the community. The village, bypassed by railroads and highways, served the rest of the century primarily as a community center for area farmers. Oak Grove United Methodist Church declined to some six congregants and closed in 1984. It reopened in 1987 and has prospered since then, completing a new building in 2002 and claiming some 111 members in 2003. While the community did not report any inhabitants in 2000, the oak grove itself was still healthy in 2003 and was cared for by the Denton chapter of Master Gardeners.