In the summer of 1867, a few of the Baptist folk in the community around where Pleasant Grove church stands, decided to organize a church.

Having no building available and no time nor money at that time to erect a building, the men built a brush arbor about a mile east of where the church now stands. On Sept. 28, 1867, the church was organized with six charter members – Austin D. McLain, Martha M. McLain, Jane McLain, Lucy Kemp, E.C. McLain and W.J. Scott.

The following ministers composed the presbytery: Elder W.A. Gray, moderator; William B. Lawler, clerk; and John Robinson, James Harvey and Louis McCanes to sit in council. They then proceeded with the usual order of organization.

The news got circulated that a Baptist church had been organized and four days later the membership numbered 44.

On Oct. 26, 1867, the first clerk, W.J. Scott, and two deacons, Austin D. McLain and G.B. Scott, were elected.

They held services in the arbor until cold weather came, then they met in the homes of the members during winter months. They went back to the arbor until they could have time to erect a church building.

On January 25, 1868, Elder J.C. Brashears was elected as the first pastor. On April 25, 1868, G.B. Scott, James Brackenridge and James Bybee were elected trustees.

In February 1870, the church decided to erect a building on the land where the present building stands (the land had been deeded to them by James Brackenridge.) A building committee was appointed and the building was completed in January, 1871. The committee was released and the church was named Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (at that time there was a grove of forest trees South and West of the building, hence the name.) This first building was near the roadside just North of the present building.

In the summer of 1895, the present building was built at a cost of $618.10 and the old church house sold for $21 and moved away. Dedication of this building was postponed three times because of high water making it impossible for the ministers to get across the river. On Oct. 25, 1896, the church was dedicated with all-day services.

Elder William Love preached the sermon and Elder T.B. Freeman gave the prayer. Old records have been lost, so there is no knowledge of when the first building was dedicated.

For 11 years, 1868 to 1879, the church was in Tebo Association in Henry County. They got a letter of dismissal and united with Nevada Association until 1884, when St. Clair County Association was organized. The church has remained a member of the St. Clair County Association to the present time.

The church was closed a short time, from about October, 1960 until the spring of 1961. Marshall Henderson, the St. Clair County Missionary at the time, held a revival meeting at the church. After the meeting, Oma Mann’s dad said “We might as well shut the lights off.” Oma said, “No.” and his dad asked “Who will come?” Oma said, “Me and mine will come.” Oma and Thelma Mann and their children, Esther, Lynn, Mike, Debra and Karen kept the church open. They had Sunday School every Sunday and preaching services the third Sunday of each month. Four of their children were saved in the following years.

On Nov. 18, 1985, Oma Mann passed away. Thelma passed away in 1998. They were faithful servants of the church. We remain thankful that Oma, Thelma and their children kept the church open in the 1960’s, as there possibly wouldn’t be a church here today, if they hadn’t.

Currently, there are several active members of various sister churches who were saved at Pleasant Grove through the years.

Other Points of Interest

*August 1936 Schell City Baptist Church requested that Pleasant Grove help ordain Bro. Kenneth Nichols to the ministry.

*March 1962 The church wrote to Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church to request the ordination of Bro. Billy Keller to the ministry.

*March 1967 The church called for Bro. Bobby Budd’s ordination from Hazel Dell Missionary Baptist Church.

*March 1970 Bro. Granvil Budd helped Bro. Bobby Budd in a revival meeting and eight souls were saved.

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