The Willamette United Presbyterian Church was established July 9th, 1850, in Dr. Washington B. Mealey's log cabin schoolhouse at the location of the current Oakville Cemetery. The grave of the founding pastor, Reverend Thomas Kendall, is at the location of the original pulpit.

Reverend Blain, from the Brownsville area, and the Reverend Kendall joined together in 1851 to strengthen their ministry in this pioneer setting. The Brownsville congregation was Presbyterian of the Reformed Presbyterian church; Oakville's was from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian denomination. This joint effort came about 9 years before the two denominations joined nationally, taking the name of United Presbyterian Church. This denomination eventually became the Presbyterian Church USA.

In 1854 during the ministry of Reverend S.G. Irvine, the schoolhouse where church services were being held burned down, and following the destruction the congregation met in Dr. Mealey's barn. Under the leadership of Pastor Irvine the congregation erected a frame building in 1856. The building was situated on the hill near the site of the present church and was about 20 by 50 feet in size. A new school was built also at that time and was located to the northwest of the church.

Reverend Allen Morrow Acheson became the pastor in 1877, and during his ministry the current Sanctuary was built in 1878. Reverend Acheson owned his own home joining the church property on the south. When he left Oakville, the church bought his house and the land around it, and this became the church parsonage until 1922. The church deeded to the school part of the land south of the then parsonage, on which the new school was built. In return the church received the old school building and its grounds. Part of the school building was then remodeled into a dwelling for the parsonage, so it is beside the church.

A major remodeling project was accomplished in 1932 under Reverend F.H. McMeekin. The congregation felt the need for more Sunday School space, better heating and lighting facilities, and general renovation. A full length basement was dug to the west of where the church then stood. The basement included space for a kitchen, dining room, and auditorium, all of which could be used for Sunday School rooms. The church was then moved west and placed over the open basement. Money was a scarce item and much volunteer labor by members was used in digging the basement. Grant Thompson, chairman of the Trustees, served as remodeling chairman. The church was replastered, redecorated, and a furnace and electricity added.

During the tenure of Reverend Fred McConnelee (1946 - 1954) the session voted to redecorate the entire church. All the pews were removed, scraped and repainted, new oak floors were installed, the sanctuary was newly painted, and new lights installed. New drapes and aisle carpets were also added.

During the ministry of Reverend Ed Patterson (1954-1961) the name Oakville was added to the Church name. Reverend Patterson made this request of the Session to distinguish the church from the Willamette Grange Hall, where church mail kept being delivered. Another reason for changing the name back in 1961 was that the name of the Presbytery was Willamette, and having a church named Willamette also, added to the confusion.

Reverend Richard Elzinga began his ministry on September 20, 1962. On October 12 the Willamette Valley Columbus day storm blew over the church steeple at 5:17 pm. A new steeple was built and hoisted on a reinforced base. The storm postponed the installation service of Reverend Elzinga, which was then held Sunday evening November 4, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

In 1981 during the ministry of Reverend William Tarbell, the congregation of Oakville voted to build an addition to the church which would contain a new fellowship hall, new oak kitchen, new bathrooms, and be connected to the existing church building with a hallway. This was the second major addition project, the first being the basement built in 1932. There were many hours of love labor volunteered from start to finish.

During the ministry of Reverend Michael Rinkin (1983-1993) several projects were completed: new stairs on the west side of the church, a storage cupboard, new roof, painting, carpeting the sanctuary, installation of sanctuary pews, nursery renovation, and new exterior doors at the rear of the building.

Reverend John Carpenter came to Oakville in February of 1995, and prior to his arrival the interior of the manse was completely renovated with new drywall, paint, and carpeting.

For the first time in Oakville church history, a church office was established in the church building. Prior to this time the pastor's study was in the Manse. Many other projects were completed during his first five years as pastor. New lighting and ceiling fans were installed in the sanctuary and church office, a playground was established off the southeast corner of the parking lot, and the old windows in the Manse were replaced with new double pane windows. In 1997 a new garage was built and the roofing was replaced on both the manse and steeple. In 1998 the basement was remodeled.

On Palm Sunday, April 13th, 2002, a congregational meeting was held. Pastor John gave a brief history of the process that had taken place in regard to building plans. He then presented updated plans for the building expansion plan, which are as follows:

Phase 1

Expand the Fellowship hall to the west, nearly doubling the space. The expanded portion will include a vaulted ceiling, as well as an unfinished basement that will connect to the current Sanctuary basement and handicap ramp.

Add a room between the Fellowship Hall expansion and the south wall of the Sanctuary. This room will serve as a temporary office and then will become bathrooms during Phase III.

Phase II

The south interior wall of the Sanctuary will be removed after the current church office is vacated. The stage area will then move back 12 feet against the south wall of the Sanctuary building. Double doors will be installed between the Sanctuary and corridor to the Fellowship Hall. Four more rows of pews will be added. Worship services will be held in the expanded Fellowship Hall while the Sanctuary is being remodeled.

Phase III

The kitchen will be remodeled and expanded and offices added to the south end of the Fellowship Hall. The new kitchen is significantly bigger. It will include two sinks, stoves, ovens, and refrigerators, as well as a dishwasher. More storage space will be added as well.

After discussion, the congregation voted to proceed with the building plans and to authorize session to begin Phase I as soon as 90% of the funds for Phase I are in hand and/or pledged. The same process will be adhered to for each phase.

Phase II was completed iin February 2006.