On the 22nd day of October, 1881, Brothers Wilson Allee, E.  W.  Lumpkin, and R.  A.  Stark met with a number of God’s people at the Pleasant Hill School House for the purpose of constituting them into a church.  After finding them to be in good standing and their Articles of Faith and church covenant in harmony with the Gospel, they proceeded to organize them into a church body.

With Brother Allee acting as moderator, the following business was conducted:

1.      Elected Brother Charles R.  Scott church clerk

2.      Agreed that the church shall be known as Pleasant Hill Church

3.      Agreed that our meetings shall be held on second Saturday and Sunday following in each month

4.      Elected Brother E. M. Lumpkin to serve as pastor the ensuing year

 

At the November business meeting, the church agreed to select three deacons.  The following men were selected: Galen Johnston, Hosa Howser, and Frank M. Scott.  these men were to be ordained at the next meeting.  The churches at Hickory Hill and Cole Springs were invited to aid in the ordination service.

 

By motion and second they agreed to build a church house and the following committee were appointed to secure a location: John Amos, John Scott, and Galen Johnston.  It was agreed that they should build on the location given by Brother Jim Glover on the south side of the road.  The building was to be 26 fee wide and 40 feet long, and a frame building was planned with three rows of seats with two aisles, and two doors should be in one end.

 

The Sunday School was organized in 1896.

 

Business meeting were held on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m.  Later it was changed to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and some time later to 8:00 p.m. and finally to Wednesday evenings.

 

Mid-week prayer service started in 1935 and during a revival meeting held by the associational missionary this same year, the building was remodeled and new gas lamps were purchased.

 

In 1936 the building was remodeled again with a bay window being build behind the platform and the doors being moved from the end to the side of the building.  The ceiling was lowered on each side.  The Training Union was started with Ray Bates as the first director.

 

The Young Adult and Young People’s classes decided to raise money to purchase new seats in 1938.  The lumber was purchased and everyone helped to make the seats.

 

The church went half time in February 1940, and the WMS was organized.  A battery light plant was purchased in 1941 and the church was wired and new light fixtures installed.  In 1944 a well was drilled on the church ground and a hand pump was installed at a cost of $216.62.

 

In February 1948, the Brotherhood was organized with Frank Blank as president.  During this year, electricity was brought into the community.  The church was again rewired and more new light fixtures installed.

 

In the March 1952, business meeting, since there was a need for building repair and more room, it was voted to place all funds in the treasury over $500.00 each month in a building fund, with $485.00 being deposited at that time.  The church went full time in 1953.  In November 1955, it was decided by ballot to build the church on Highway 54.  Anna Manning graciously offered to give part of her land for the new building.  The building fund had $4,021.95 and $6,000.00 was borrowed from Mr. and Mrs.  R.  A.  Scrivner.  Trees were sawed down by Stanley Johnston.  Everyone helped to move to the new building on Saturday, December 14, 1957.  The first service was held there the next day.  Brother William Butler of Columbia was serving as interim pastor.  In December, also, all the funds were used and $7,500.00 was borrowed from the bank to pay all debts to date.  The old building was sold at auction for $605.00 with the net amount of $547.00 being applied on the debt.

 

In December, 1961, it was agreed that the building be finished as near as possible and a dedication service be held May 6, 1962.  Form pastor, Rev. Farrie Cole, Jr., brought the message of dedication with the pastor, Rev. R.  V.  Wilson, leading the vows of dedication.

 

In May, 1963, the church voted to build a pastor’s home.  At a special meeting in June it was decided to build on the church property.  In August a note burning of the church loan and groundbreaking ceremony for the parsonage was held.  The parsonage was built and the dedication service was held in January of 1964.  A steeple was added to the church building in 1965.  In 1968, stained glass windows were installed in the auditorium.

 

David Ford, son of Joe and Betty Ford, was licensed to preach September 4, 1966.  In May of 1970, David was ordained and Don Gillispie was licensed to the Gospel ministry.  In 1971 the church was given a large bus by Don Gillispie with which to begin a bus outreach program. 

 

In 1971 and 1972 some work was done to remodel the front of the church, placing the choir loft over the baptistry and carpeting the foyer.  Due to the need for more classroom space and the desire to make the church more attractive and worshipful, it was voted that carpeting be installed in the auditorium, the nursery, and the basement.  Folding doors were installed in the basement to make more classrooms and new pews purchased for the auditorium.  Most of this was accomplished in early 1973 and finished up in 1974.

 

In 1976, the cistern, which was no longer being used, was converted into a storage room.  A door was cut in the wall beneath the basement steps to allow access to this area.

 

A centennial celebration was held in October 1981 and another celebration of 125 years was held in 2006.

 

In 1982 the church was remodeled again extensively.

 

Deacons who have served at Pleasant Hill are:  Galen Johnston, Hosea Howser, Frank Scott, L.A. Johnston, J.W. Scott, James Scruggs, J.R. Taylor, R.J. Tipton, Walter Scott, Charles Scruggs, Paul Bond, Lee Hoskins, Cecil Scott, Hurschel Scruggs, Raymond Hogg, Ray Bates, Joe Ford, George Fox, Melvin Callahan, J.D. Wood, Virgil Smith, Bob Baysinger, Aubrey Baysinger, Don Colter, Danny Jobe, Stanley (Mike) Duncan, Kim Smith, Cletus Lutz, Scott Marlatt, Berthel (Butch) Bray, Wayne (Chip) Lindley, and Michael Campbell.

 

Pastors who have served Pleasant Hill Church since 1881 are:  E. M. Lumpkin, J. T. McKenzie, J. A. Jordan, Cal Monroe, T. D. Green, S. Maples, J. B. Dorris, J. S. Conner, James Henderson, A. J. Hensley, W.  D.  Scrivner, D. C. Lingle, G. M. Baker, A. L. Stark, Ray Robinett, William McEwen, Walter Conner, R. A. Woods, S. M. Petty, Denzil Albin, J. W. Brewer, Farrie L. Cole, Jr., Keith LaGesse, M. F. Johnson, L. Windstead, E. L. Fisher, R. V. Wilson, Jr., Floyd George, Joe Davis, Paul Patterson, Bill Helvey, R. Dean Stewart, Michael Johnson, Glenn R. Scott, Jr.,  Roger Flint, James Hill Jr, Bill Rodgers, Kenneth McCune, David Ford, Dr. Kevin C. Kohler, Dr. Mark Plaza and our current pastor, Dr. Mark Ritchey.