In the year of 1917, Rev. Elijah Jefferies had a vision to establish a church in Milton in the community called “Snatchburg,” where they could come together to worship and learn more about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Rev. Jefferies, along with the help of Mr. George Pyles, Mr. John Hicks, and Mr. Joseph Hughes began this mission with a vision and very little money.

On January 24, 1918, the trustees of Oak Level, Mrs. Tillie Hicks, Mr. Clifton McCain and Mrs. Mary L. Bradsher purchased some land from J.H. and Anna Lockhart for the sum of $35.00 to start that establishment. On March 8, 1918 the deed was registered in the office of the Register of Deeds in Caswell County.  In 1919, the church was built.

OAK LEVEL started out as a one-room log cabin about 200 yards east of its present location with Mr. Elijah Phelps as the lead carpenter.

In the early 1920’s, the trustees, Mrs. Tillie Hicks, Mr. Clifton McCain and Mr. John Hicks purchased an acre of land from Mr. Lawrence Taylor and rebuilt Oak Level just a few feet from its present location. This building is still remembered by some for the tall steps, the wood heater and the outside plumbing/toilet.

On Sunday, November 7, 1971, at 11:30am, under the leadership of Rev. J.H. Torain, we began having worship service on the First and Fourth Sundays of each month. Before then we were only having service once a month, which was on the Fourth Sunday, because we were a part of the Milton Circuit which consisted of St. Andrews, Macedonia, Providence and Oak Level.

On April 27, 1975, we marched into our new sanctuary that was built by our Pastor, Rev. B.F. Pickett, along with some of the members of the church.  We later added two bathrooms, a pastor’s study and a choir room. This is presently our fellowship hall.

On September 9, 1979, we started having worship service on the second and fourth Sundays each month. The ministries of the church grew spiritually and we began ministering at two rest homes and a prison.  In 1988, Oak Level became a station church and we began having service every Sunday. In 1992, under the leadership of Rev. Esther M. Johnson, our first female pastor to stay, the Lord blessed us to build another sanctuary, where we continue to worship today. (Our first female Pastor, Rev. L. Holman, came in December of 1964 and left in January 1965.)

In 1997, the Lord sent Rev. Daisy Long to shepherd this flock. Under her leadership, we started new programs to interest the youth of the church, held classes to refresh us on our duties as officers, remodeled the fellowship hall, and purchased new windows.  On October 25, 2008, we held our “Mortgage Burning Ceremony.”  Bishop A.J. Richardson, Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District brought the word.

In 1997, the Lord sent Rev. Daisy Long to shepherd this flock. Under her leadership, we started new programs to interest the youth of the church, held classes to refresh us on our duties as officers, remodeled the fellowship hall, and purchased new windows.  On October 25, 2008, we held our “Mortgage Burning Ceremony.”  Bishop A.J. Richardson, Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District brought the word.

In 2009, we were blessed with another mighty woman of God, Rev. Maye E. Riddick. Under her leadership, we started a Women’s Ministry, (Daughters of Lydia), that held its first Women’s Conference in March 2009, a Men’s Ministry, (Sons of Allen), a Seniors’ Ministry, and a Dance Ministry, (Epiphany Dancers and Simply Joyous.)

In the year of 2012, we were blessed once again by the Lord, to have as our Pastor and Shepherd, Rev. Casimir K. Brown. During his leadership, Oak Level has continued to grow spiritually. He came teaching, training, and encouraging us to depend on God rather than what we see with our physical eye. God has continued to prove himself to us over and over again. We remodeled our front entrance, restrooms in the fellowship hall and installed a new roof.

In May of 2019, we received yet another blessing from God in the person of Rev. Daisy Long, who was sent to pastor this congregation.

Pastors from 1920 to 1989 include such great ministers as the Revs.; Elijah Jefferies, who started this Branch of Zion, C.B. Wilson, Clifton Hodges, I.M. Grady, Henry Elmore, A. Taborn, I. Gray, Crumpton, C.L. Macken, A.D. Dilworth, J.W. Walker, G.W. Staley, J.C. Wright, C.A. Hope, J.C. Holt, Deloatch, J. Paulding, T.L. Coble, C.W. Parker, J.H. Torain, O.E. Christopher, C. Lambert, L. Miller, W.J. Stewart, E.C. McLellan, B.F. Pickett, J.G. Watkins, and M.O. Battle.

They all contributed to the work that had begun in 1919 by increasing the membership, reorganizing the Sunday School, bible study, women’s missionary society, young people’s division, usher board, organizing four choirs, youth mini church, keeping up on the necessary repairs to the structure, and teaching and preaching the word of God.  Rev. A.D. Dilworth went as far as to build our pulpit stand and all the pews while he was pastoring.

We continue to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith and we praise God for Rev. Elijah Jeffries who one day had a vision to start a church in the Snatchburg Community to praise and worship such an awesome God as this. If he could see 100 years down the road, he would see the accomplishments that have taken place because he dared to step out on faith.

Through 100 years of praising God, 100 years of witnessing the power of prayer and 100 years of pressing on in Jesus’ name, we can celebrate how God took 1 acre of land, 1 man with a vison and 1word of truth that says “for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.”

Rev. Shelby Jamece Miles, NCC, M.Div., M.A., LCMHCA is a native of Durham, NC and a proud alumna of both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University. In 2019, she earned her B.A. in Communication Studies with a concentration in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from UNC-Chapel Hill. Most recently, she completed her dual Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health degrees at Wake Forest University in May 2025.

Shelby is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) in the state of North Carolina. Her work is deeply rooted in her calling to bridge the gap between faith and mental health—offering holistic, compassionate, and clinically sound care both within and beyond the church. As a Faith and Health Scholar, her academic and ministerial journey has centered on trauma-informed counseling, spiritual formation, and culturally responsive care.

Her commitment to mentorship and community engagement is reflected in her service as a college advisor through the Carolina College Advising Corps and the Crosby Scholars Community Partnership, and as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winston-Salem.

In May 2026, Shelby was ordained as an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church at the 134th Session of the Western North Carolina Annual Conference. She once served as Pastor of St. James AME Church in Oak Ridge, NC, where she led with vision, compassion, and a deep love for God’s people. Now she is currently the pastor of Oak Level AME Church in Milton, NC.

Shelby is also the host of Secure Sessions with Shelby Jamece, a podcast exploring the intersections of faith, healing, and mental wellness. She is the author of L.E.A.P.: Living Entirely at Peace, an Advent devotional that invites readers to embrace intentional stillness and spiritual renewal.

Shelby brings her faith to life through preaching, singing, storytelling, and counseling. She lives by the conviction that her purpose is to inspire and uplift others through her God-given gifts. With grace and determination, she walks forward—living in purpose, on purpose—knowing that the steps of a good (wo)man are ordered by the Lord.