Historical information about the church is being gathered and will be posted when available.
If you have information or photographs that you would like to share, email to [email protected]
If you have information or photographs that you would like to share, email to [email protected]
HISTORY OF THE PLEASANT GROVE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1874 TO PRESENT (as of 2003-2004 updated information is appreciated)
THE ORIGINAL PLEASANT GROVE CHURCH WAS A UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH AND WAS BUILT DOWN THE ROAD BY THE CEMETERY BY LEON PHILLIP'S HOME AND THE LAND WAS DONATED BY THE JOHNSON FAMILY. AT A LATER DATE THE CHURCH WAS MOVED TO ITS PRESENT LOCATION AND THE LAND FOR THIS WAS DONATED BY THE STEPHENS FAMILY. IT BEGAN AS A UNITED BRETHREN AND LATER JOINED THE METHODIST CONFERENCE AND BECAME A UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
THE MAIN SANCTUARY OF THE CHURCH TODAY IS THE ORIGINAL CHURCH. SOLOMON "CUFF" PHILLIPS STAINED THE CHAIR RAIL AND ALL THE PEWS BY HAND WITH A SPONGE. WE PRESENTLY HAVE PADDED PEWS, BUT THE ORIGINAL CHAIR RAIL IS STILL IN PLACE.
OUR CHURCH HAS HAD, OVER THE YEARS, HOMECOMINGS, PICNICS, AND SUPPERS. PEOPLE RETURNED AND ENJOYED SINGING, FELLOWSHIP IN CHRIST, AND RENEWING OF FRIENDSHIPS. AT OUR PICNICS, WE SOLD HOMEMADE ICE CREAM, PLAYED BALL, HAD PONY RIDES, AND PLAYED HORSE SHOES.
SOME OF THE OLD SAINTS THAT HAVE GONE ON ARE TOM AND VERNIE WINGROVE, CUFF AND CHARLOTTE PHILLIPS (BACKUP PIANO PLAYER), MR. & MRS. ODIE WILKINSON, HARVEY AND BESSIE WHITLATCH, JOE AND GLADYS CARPENTER, RUTH STEPHENS (PIANIST FOR MANY YEARS), NELLIE PHILLIPS, BOB AND OPAL BAYLES. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS THAT WERE BUILDERS IN OUR CHIJRCIL
WHEN THE RIGHT SIDE ADDITION WAS BUILT TO OUR CHURCH, REVEREND MARTY WAS OUR MINISTER. HE SAID IF WE COULD BREAK OUR ATTENDANCE RECORD FOR EASTER, HE WOULD GET ON THE ROOF AND EAT CHICKEN (HEIGHT AND CHICKEN WERE BOTH THINGS HE WAS NOT FOND OF). WE DID BREAK THE RECORD WITH 155 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE. HE FULFILLED HIS PROMISE.
OUR PICNICS TODAY (AS OF THE WRITING OF THIS ACCOUNT), ARE HELD AT "LINGER DOME" (HILDA STEPHENS LINGER'S FIELD). THEY CONSIST OF COVERED DISH DINNERS, WE PLAY BALL, HAVE PONY RIDES, PLAY HORSE SHOE, AND BOARD GAMES.
OUR CHURCH CONTINUES TO HAVE SUNDAY MORNING, SUNDAY EVENING, AND WEDNESDAY SERVICES.
OVER THE YEARS, WE HAVE HAD BAPTISMS AT THE OHIO RIVER, KESTERSON'S FARM, VIENNA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, AND MOST RECENTLY IN THE CREEK ON THE GARRISON FARM. OUR CHURCH CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN THE UPKEEP OF THE THREE CEMETERIES ON BULL RUN. WE ARE A CLOSE CHRISTIAN FAMILY AND WELCOME ALL WHO WISH TO WORSHIP WITH US.
SOME OF THE MINISTERS WE HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS ARE AS FOLLOWS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER) BAIJMAN, BRAMBLE, BRAMMER, BROWN, DENNING, C. EATON, J. EATON, EXLINE, FRUM, HART, KEIFER, MARTY, NIESSELROAD, POLING, SAYERS, SHACKLEFORD, SLAUGHTER, STALNAKER, THOMAS, WILCOX, AND WINGROVE. AT PRESENT OUR MINISTER IS REVEREND BOB HASTY (1998-2003).