Thank you for visiting our web site. We are a small rural church located
in Rayle, Georgia approximately 100 miles east of Atlanta, Georgia. The
church was founded on June 21, 1874 by a band of baptized believers in
Christ. How they came to take the name Pleasant Grove is not known. The
church was organized by the late Reverend B. M. Callaway and Reverend S.
L. Johnson. The land for the church site was given to the colored people
by the late Tom Willis in 1873. The first meeting house was a brush arbor,
where services were held until a house could be built. The first building
was a log cabin with a homemade altar, benches and a few chairs. The first
pastor was Rev. Silas Johnson, who was elected in 1874 and served many
years
The log cabin was eventually replaced by a frame building. In later years
the present building was erected. Many improvements and additions have
been made since this house was built.
Kerosene lamps took the place of the lightwood knots of the brush arbor
days. and beautiful electric lights replaced the oil lamps. Gas heaters
replaced the old wood stoves. Running water to the church, with drinking
fountains replaced the old-time spring and well. Beautiful stained glass
windows added elegance to the structure. Inside the building the furnishing
are among the best of any country church - a far cry from our humble beginnings.
The first deacons ordained in organizing Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
were; Charles Willis, Coleman Bennett, Nathan Grant, and George Maddox.
The first treasurer was Boston Maddox. The first Sunday School superintendent
was Nathan Grant, and the first church clerk was West Willis.
Auxiliaries organized were Sunday School, Mother's Board by Rev. D. C.
Bell, Willing Workers Club, Missionary Society, Usher's Board by Bro. "Sport"
Calloway, Training Union, Floral Club, and Choir by Sister Elbethel Willis
in the year 1949 under the pastorate of Rev. C. C. Clayton..
Since the church was organized, the following ministers have served: Rev.
S. L. Johnson, Rev. P. R. Turner, Rev. J. F. Franklin, Rev. F. W. Welborn,
Rev. R. F. Griffith, Rev. D. C. Bell, Rev. C. C. Clayton, Rev. E. R. McClendon,
Rev. B. W. Paige, Rev. Sims McIver, and Rev. James McIver the current pastor.
The following deacons have served: Charles Willis, Nathan Grant, Coleman Bennett, George Maddox, Thomas B. Willis, Johnny Willis, Sherman Cofer, Squire Clayborn, George Davenport, Popie Dunn, Sam Moore, G. L. Willis, John C. Willis, Edd Benson, Will D. Johnson, Roosevelt Johnson, and Jimmy Lou Anderson. As time and death moved some of these brethren off the scene, others were ordained to replace them. In recent years the following young men were ordained and added to the board of deacons: Eugene Willingham, Booker T. Bankston, Joe Bell Johnson, Richard Price, Tommy Johnson, H. M. King, Dea. Robert Johnson, Robert Wallace, Benjamin F. Willis, Johnny L. Bankston, Eddie Bankston, Eugene Johnson, Everett Price, Rodney Gresham, Jamie Johnson.
The following members have served as church clerks: West Willis, Jim Evans, D. W. T. Willis, Andrew Willis, Walter James Davenport, Emily Burns, Ben K. Willis, Ida Clayborn, Virginia Price, H. M. King.
The following have served as treasurers: Boston Maddox, Johnny Willis, Edgar Cofer, James Evans, Edd Benson, John C. Willis, Tommy Johnson, Roosevelt Johnson.
Pleasant Grove has sent out on the field many young ministers. Some were
ordained at Pleasant Grove, and some at other places in other churches,
but they are still pleasant Grove's sons. These included Rev. Tom Daniel,
Rev. D. W. T. Willis, Rev. Merriwether Hill, and Rev. Willie Taylor, Rev.
Hosea Johnson, Rev. Jiles Dunn, all deceased. Ministers living as of this
writing and serving in different places , whose mother church is pleasant
Grove are: Rev Lamar Davenport, Rev. Franklin Sherrer, Rev. Dewitt Sherrer,
Rev. Tommy Johnson, Rev. Ben K. Willis, Rev. Willie R. Flint, Rev Williams
Price, Rev. Lance Pitts.
As the years passed and the church progressed, many improvements have been
made. From the mere hand full that was in the setting up of the church,
the membership has increased to hundreds. Death has taken many and many
more have moved away.
Under the pastorate of Rev. R. F. Griffith, a storm partially wrecked the
building and repairs were necessary. Under the pastorate of Rev. D. C.
Bell, stained glass windows were put in, and a few other repairs were made.
Under the pastorate of Rev. E. R. McClendon, the choir stand and small
rooms were built, and a piano was purchased. A formal choir was organized
with Rockerick Willis as the church's first pianist. Under the pastorate
of Rev. B. W. Paige, the church was painted, gas heaters were installed
and many repairs were made. During the pastorate of Rev. Sims McIver, the
church was given a new coat of paint and new inside walls and ceiling.
The floor was repaired and cleaned. A complete set of church furnishings
was purchased, including pulpit furniture and pews. In 1974 also under
the pastorate of Rev. Sims McIver, the current brick structure was built
and furnished.
Under the pastorate of James McIver, the church continued to improve. The
parking lot has been paved, a new piano purchased, new air condition unit
added, Santuary received a new coat of paint, and all the duct work in
the ceiling has been replaced to name some of the major repairs done. We
now have a Youth Department for our youth, with Sis. Francine Smith as
youth director, a quarterly Newsletter , and a web site (www.pleasantgrovebc.org)
to keep our members away from home informed of activities in the church
and community. Under Pastor James McIver, the church has ordained three
deacons; Dea. Everette Price, Dea. Jamie Johnson, and Dea.Ronnie Gresham,
and one son, Rev. Lance Pitts has gone out in the ministry. The McIver
Mass Choir was organized, and an expansion fund had been setup to received
funds in hope of expanding the facilities in the near future.
Much hard work and any useful gifts have been given to the church down
through the years by individuals and organizations.
The congregation has had eleven pastors in it's 132 years, with the current
pastor serving since February of 1989. The church originally had worship
service only one Sunday, (3rd Sunday) each month, But, then it expanded
to two Sundays each month by Rev. Sims McIver. Meeting days has progressed
from once a month to full time. Many soliders have served in various capacities,
and are now passed on to a greater reward. Many good soldiers are yet on
the battle field for Jesus.
If you are ever in our neighborhood, you are welcome to stop in and worship
with us. Our doors are always open, and we welcome any and all visitors.
We have Sunday School each Sunday morning beginning at 10:00 A.M., and
worship service each Sunday beginning at 11:30 A.M
