History

A compilation of all church historical records:

The following is a year by year historical account of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Star Route, Shepherdsville, Kentucky 40165. This history was recorded in the Long Run Associational minutes. These minutes are located on the third floor of the James P. Boyce Centennial Library of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40206. It should be noted that some of the errors and conflicting dates were recognized in the reading of the minutes, however, the committee, through study and research, has compiled this account as nearly accurate as possible.

In 1863, before there was any mention of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in the minutes a report on the destitution of Bullitt County was recorded; “In the County of Bullitt there is but one Baptist preacher and three churches that have regular preaching.” This report indicates that Pleasant Grove began in a pioneering atmosphere and that it was instituted to meet the needs of the times. The first mention of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church is found in the minutes of 1864;
“A letter was received from the church at Pleasant Grove, Bullitt Co., Ky. asking admission into this association, which on motion, was received, when the moderator gave the delegates the hand of fellowship”. In the statistical report under the column of Pastors and Messengers, R. Bogard and O. K. Whitledge are listed. It is believed that the church did not have a pastor in the very beginning. Mr. Bogard and Mr. Whitledge were both messengers, however, this is supposition by the committee. Evidently the church was a growing and zealous body, because the statistical table lists five baptisms and six received by letter in the first year of its existence. One wonders what church or churches these six were received from, since there were only three churches in the county and few others in the surrounding area.

The following statements taken from the Associational Missionary’s report holds much interest as well as information. Bro. J. H. Spencer was elected missionary of the Long Run Association. He was employed full-time for $600.00 per year. In his annual report he writes, “There is considerable territory on our Southern border, lying on both sides of Salt River, in which there is very little Baptist preaching. I hope to be able to hold meetings at one or two points in this region during the fall.” In this same report Bro. Spencer makes mention of the poor condition of the country because of the Civil war, and of the lack of young men in the community.

The church was started near a log house, surrounded by woods, on the Spencer farm. This farm is located approximately two and one half miles east of Shepherdsville along HWY 44 and is presently owned by the heirs of Jake Bridwell. Later on the church held its meetings in a log school house located on the Harley Proctor farm. The school was called Pleasant Grove. It was located near an old quarry. In 1865, Elder J. T. Hoke was pastoring this “small but zealous” congregation as their first pastor. Rowen Bogard was listed, along with pastor Hoke, as a messenger to the association. During that year two baptisms were recorded and three were restored, making a total of seventeen members. This report leads us to wonder if the church began with only four members, because in 1864, five were baptized, six were added by letter and two were restored, making a total of thirteen added to the church since it began. Seventeen minus thirteen leaves a total of four. This seems unlikely!

No letter or messenger was received by the association in 1866; however, the following is taken from a report that is recorded in the minutes; “There is still destitution in the counties of Bullitt and Jefferson… and we have 4-5 very weak churches that demand our attention, and would ask the passage of the following resolution: “To send someone for the purpose to hold meetings with West Point, Knob Creek….and Pleasant Grove!.” The following year no letter was received from the church, but we find Rev. A. Jackson is listed as pastor. Later records show that the pastor’s name was Andrew Jackson. From 1866 to 1873 no letter was received from the church and no messengers were present. In some of the minutes Pleasant Grove is not even mentioned and much of this time we were without a pastor. A later report (1884) says that the church was disorganized, the people cold and scattered. According to the report of 1873 we did contribute $1.00 to the printing fund.

Even though the membership was small and times were trying and difficult, this faithful band of good disciples remained faithful to our Lord and thus secured Bro. D. T. Hardy, of Simpsonville, KY., as pastor in 1874, That same year, S. Gentry, along with the pastor served as messengers to the association. God’s blessings continued to be realized as seven more were added to the church by experience and baptism. Two were dismissed which made a total membership of thirty five. According to the minutes Pleasant Grove still had preaching services once a month.

In 1875 we failed to send a letter or messenger to the Association. During the associational meeting a committee was chosen to visit those churches that failed to report by letter. Pleasant Grove, of course, was mentioned as one of the churches to visit. Even though this action was taken, they failed to send messengers the following two years. In 1877 Pleasant Grove was not even listed in the minutes. Perhaps we should point out that the meetings were held as far away as Shelbyville, and considering the means of transportation, this was a great distance away; not to mention the difficult times the folk had in earning a living. Even though the times were difficult the church was found to be faithful in their stewardship of money. They gave $10.00 for orphans, $5.00 for Foreign Missions and $1.00 for the printing fund. Twenty Sunday School members were listed with a Sunday School expense of $3.00.

1878 was a year of revival for the church. Rev. J. B. Wood was called as pastor. Eighteen baptisms and one addition by letter were recorded, making a total of 37 church members and 40 enrolled in Sunday School. J. T. Jackson was elected church clerk and thus became the first clerk for the church. J. T. Jackson and James E. Wise served as messengers to the Association that year.

The following year {1879) pastor J. B. Wood J. T. Jackson and W. T. Stallings served as messengers. The home expenses were listed as $5.00. There are conflicting records for the years 1880 -1881, in that, some show Charles Ridgeway as Sunday School Superintendent and others show Harriett Bobbitt as Superintendent. In any case this is the first record of a Sunday School Superintendent for the church. J. W. Whitledge, A. Wise, W. Stallings and J. T. Jackson served as messengers.

Pleasant Grove was not represented at the Association in 1882. Some interesting information concerning the church and the Association was recorded. J. T. Jackson was appointed to take a collection during the year. An Associational speaker, Bro. E. L. Shouse, said, “We murdered the Sunday School at Fisherville to keep it from dying”. Bro. Eaton thought they should have administered wholesome remedies. Bro. Van Arsdale said, “A partnership with another denomination was the ailment”.

Again in 1883 we were not represented at the Annual meeting. We do find more interesting information concerning Bullitt County and the Association. Bro. Goss reported, “Knob Creek and Mt. Carmel Churches are weak and the destitution around them is dark and wide. Twenty miles square with but three churches…. they plead for help…because the skum of Louisville floats out into this county (Bullitt) every Sunday”. A Professor Simmons (believed to have been Negro) from The Normal and Theological Seminary for Colored said, “There are only two avenues for elevating the colored, they are; the school and the pulpit”. A Bro. A. B. Cabiness also said, “Colored people need education and morals, we should help them as Christian duty.”

The Associational Missionary, Rev. J. A. Bell, reports in 1884 that Pleasant Grove has been without a pastor for more than two years. It was disorganized and the members were scattered and cold. “I preached here for three weeks and two days. This resulted in 25 baptisms, 4 restorations, the membership is fully organized and the Sunday School is doing good.” A collection of $4.10 for Associational missions was taken and more than $100.00 was pledged for a pastor for the ensuing year. That same year, J. T. Jackson, A. Wise, Beamous Wise, Lewis Barrell, W. Jackson and Jas. Bell served as messengers.

In 1885 Bro. J. R. Harrington was called as pastor. J. T. Jackson was church clerk. J. T. Jackson, Lewis Barrell, William Stallings and Noah Jackson served as messengers. One addition by baptism and three by letter made a total membership of thirty-four. This is fewer than had been reported in previous years, but we need to remember that some times members were EXCLUDED when they failed to live up to what the church expected. An interesting note in the minutes of 1885 reports that the Church of Christ at Salem, Bullitt County, Ky., was admitted as a member of the Long Run Association. A speaker from Georgetown College made an interesting comment when he said, “People claim to be too poor to educate their sons and daughters, but yet they dress them fine, live in good houses and drive fast horses.” The speaker went on to say that… colleges do not give men conceit – it is innate; school is a good place to eradicate it.”

No messengers from Pleasant Grove were listed in the minutes from 1886 through 1890.

Rev. J. R. Harrington remained as pastor through 1891, and, according to the minutes, received the extravagant sum of $100.00 per year salary! In 1888 $5.00 was spent for the Western Recorder. In 1889 L. M. Barrell from River View became church clerk. He held this job until 1891 when F. M. Honnaker of Mt. Washington became church clerk. That same year Allen Wise, W. M. Stallings and John Harris served as messengers; $2.50 went to Foreign Missions and $.50 to the printing fund.

There was no significant information recorded in 1892.

In 1893 C. W. Chadwick came as pastor. F. M. Honnaker served as clerk and messenger, along with W. T. Stallings. A total of 52 members were listed, 4 were excluded and church property was valued at $200.00. Sometime in the 1880’s, the Baptist and Methodist built a one-room building, now known as Bethel Methodist Church in front of a graveyard. There were two front doors to the building. The Baptist used the right door and the Methodist used the left. The Methodist held services in the morning and the Baptist had services in the afternoon. Each group had their own key for their respective doors. The key to the “Baptist” door is on display in the current sanctuary building. One day the Baptist had trouble getting into their door and a disagreement resulted. In 1893, Pleasant Grove sold their interest to the Methodist for $200.00. Some of our records indicate the congregation then began to meet in a log home on the Robert Smith farm. This property is located at the end of C.E. Smith Lane. Some records make reference to this being a log school-house located on the same farm. The old Needmore School was located in approximately the same location as the home. This property is presently owned by Todd and Kelly Smith. Todd Smith is the great-grandson of Robert Smith. They worshiped here until the building became too small. Then they moved out into the woods to worship. They used rough boards placed on blocks of wood for seats.
An executive board reports this information, as recorded in the associational minutes, “Pleasant Grove for some time has been in a dying condition, but at last the fallow ground has been broken up and is now bringing forth a rich harvest. We (Long Run Association) have been assisting her, $3.35 per month. Bro. C. W. Chadwick, full of zeal and good works has charge of the church now. They have recently had a good revival and 14 were baptized at its close. During the incoming year they will build a new house of worship. This work is indeed promising.”

Rev. E. M. Wood became pastor in 1894. Robert Smith served as clerk and J. W. Whitledge as messenger. There was a total of 74 members this year. In 1894, J.T. Ridgway donated the ground on which to build a church. The present old building stands on this ground. In 1894 a one room building was started by George Baily, a contractor from Zoneton. The church ran out of money and construction was stopped. The building stayed in an incomplete state for two years. The building was begun in 1897 with completion in 1898. The cost of the building was approximately $1,000.00.

In 1895 J. C. Mitchell became pastor with a salary of $78.29. J. W. Lloyd was clerk, Robert Smith was messenger and J. W. Bell, was Sunday School Superintendent.

In 1896 J. C. Mitchell was still pastor and Robert Smith was clerk. These two men along with K.S. Simmons and Jesse Ridgeway served as messengers. The following is an interesting note from the minutes, “During the year an effort was made to secure a house of worship for Pleasant Grove Church, that being the only congregation in Long Run Association without a meeting house. A lot was secured and your Board gave $25.00 to start the work, and also promised to pay the last $25.00 due on completion of the new building. The church letter to the Association reports that the house is ready for the roof.”

The following year (1897) the Executive Board Report gave the following account.. “..Two mission churches aided by the board, Pleasant Grove, Bullitt Co., and 36th St. have houses of worship, but are building and hope to have meeting houses completed in a few months.” A memorandum from the church letter reads, “hope soon to complete a $1,000.00 church building. During 1897, Rev. J. M. Hunt took up the pastoral duties for $60.00 per year, J. A. Trigg was clerk, J.W. Whitledge and Jas. A. Ridgeway served as messengers. During that year we had 15 baptisms, 2 by letter and one relation, making a total of 59 members.

The following year, (1898) Rev. W. B. Wooten of Louisville became pastor at a salary of $73.22. J.A. Trigg continued as clerk, Jas. A. Ridgeway and H. C. Stallings served as messengers and W. T. Bell, of Zoneton, was Sunday School Superintendent. During the year the Executive Board held its meeting at Pleasant Grove. (we assume this was in the new building). From about 1894 to 1898 the church was listed on some reports as having a missionary and also pastor. This may be confusing, but the association did help support the church and this could be why the pastors were referred to as missionaries. Verbal reports indicate that during the course of the year, Mrs. Lola Clark, presented the church with two pulpit chairs. A Mr. John Carter, of Louisville, presented a large Bible to the church through Mr. Bobbitt, who at this time was a member of the church and printing employee of Mr. Carter. It is reported by Mrs. Clara Simmons that Mrs. Harriett Bobbitt embroidered a silk spread for the Bible to rest upon. This same Bible has been placed in the church again by Mrs. Roxie Clark. Following the completion of the building, a great revival was experienced in 1899. Thirty-five were baptized, thirteen added by letter and one was restored. This made a total membership of 103. The membership lacked only 15 in doubling in one year! Rev. W. B. Wooten remained as pastor, J. A. Trigg was clerk. Arch Simmons, J. W. Whitlege and J. A. Ridgeway served as messengers, and Greenup Owen was Sunday School Superintendent.

The Woman’s Missionary Union was organized in the early 1900’s. Associational Minutes state it was organized in 1908 with Mrs. Nannie Smith as the first president. However, the W.M.U. record book states that the W.M.U. was organized October15, 1915 with Mrs. Eunice Long as president.

In 1900 Rev. B. F. Canada became the 11th pastor of the church. J. A. Trigg remained as clerk through 1904 and Greenup Owen remained as Superintendent through 1903. During 1900 there were 25 Sunday School members with an average attendance of 20. The Sunday School expense was listed as $1.15 and $18.00 was given to Foreign Missions.

In 1901 George C. Bell, George Peacock, Elmer Weller and Kirby Simmons served as messengers to the association. The following is an interesting note recorded in the associational minutes that year; “The only unpleasant feature connected with the meeting occurred after the body adjourned… C. K. Hoagland and Miss Lulie Thomas missed their train. This caused much merriment and no doubt the lovers also rejoiced in their peculiar situation.” C. K. Hoagland later became pastor of Pleasant Grove in 1911.

The annual meeting of the Long Run Association brought much excitement and joy to our church on September 7 and 8, 1904. This was the first time the Associational. meeting had been held at our church. Mrs. Cordelia Grant gives an eye witness account of much preaching, praying and singing. She reports that there was a large tent raised near the church, and that preaching services were held there about twice each day. The minutes record the following: “Bro. R. A. Barnes made a motion that at 11 o’clock the association adjourn to the tent to hear a sermon from moderator, W. E. Powers…. The congregation went to the tent to hear a sermon from W. E. Powers who preached to the edification and gratification of all on, “A better country”, taking as his text Hebrews 11:16, “They desire a better country.” A. F. Armstrong reports that two horse wagons and buggies were dispatched to the depot at Shepherdsville to transport the many people who came from Louisville by train to attend the meeting at Pleasant Grove. Another statement taken from the minutes says, “A motion was made to extend a hardy thanks to the community for their generous hospitality, which was of supreme quality.”

During 1905 C. D. Spillman became pastor. Jesse Ridgeway served as Sunday School Superintendent during 1904-1905. In 1905 S. O. Armstrong was clerk, W. S. Gentry, John Lloyd, A. Heiser and J. A. Ridgeway served as messengers. The following quote was taken from the associational sermon, “There is no Baptist belief not found in the Bible. If there is, give up. There is chapter and verse for everything we do…let us tighten our grip on Baptist belief. All other denominations are changing their creeds toward Baptist position. There were none but Baptist Churches in the New Testament time.” In order to understand why this strong statement was made, one should remember that Landmarkism, as propounded by J. R. Graves, was at its peak at this time.

In 1906 J. It. Eldridge became pastor with a salary of $199.00 per year. The messengers were A. Heiser, Mary Heiser and George Bell. According to the records S. O. Armstrong was elected Church Clerk and Sunday Superintendent that year, and served in these offices through 1925.

In 1907 A. H. Mayhaffey came as pastor for a salary of $200.00 per year. George Bell, Jesse Ridgeway, John Lloyd, Albert Armstrong served as messengers. A collection was taken to help Cedar Creek Baptist Church. A member of Pleasant Grove, Mary Long, gave $25.00.

J. C. Burkett came as pastor in 1908 at a reduction in salary. He drew $182.00. James Armstrong was the only messenger that year. According to Associational minutes Pleasant Grove organized a Woman’s Missionary Society in 1908 with Mrs. Nannie Smith as president. However, the W.M.U. record book, which is here at the church, states that the W.M.S. was organized October 15, 1915.

In 1909 J. C. Burkett was still pastor with a salary of $112.00 per year. J. O. Ridgeway and Albert Armstrong served as messengers. This must have been a trying time in our church, 20 members were excluded from the church fellowship. It seemed to almost fall apart.

In 1910 G.E. Sheets became pastor for $150.00 per year. He and J. O. Ridgeway served as messengers. Church membership totaled 108. In 1911, C. K. Hoagland became pastor and remained through 1914. Lewis Whitledge and Albert Armstrong served as messengers in 1911.

The following year J. O. Ridgeway and Marvin Stallings served as messengers. The remainder of this account will be mostly of statistical nature cause little else is found in the records.

1913…S.O. Armstrong as messenger

1914…J.W. Lloyd messenger, 131 church membership

1915…W.G. Potts was pastor. Salary was $200.00. There were 12 baptisms and a total membership of 140. J. C. Dickey and T. V. Long were messengers. A W.M.U. record book states that the W.M.S. was organized on Thursday afternoon October 27, 1915. The record book states in the December 1915 minutes, “A piece read by Mrs. Hallie Armstrong about the Walnut Street Baptist Church (the mother of our church)”. Several of the older members say that it was generally believed that Walnut Street was the Mother Church, however, the above quotation is the only mention of Walnut Street in all of the records.

In 1916 W. G. Potts was still pastor. His salary was $200.00. Seventeen members were dismissed and the church membership was 124. Roy Stallings, A. F. Armstrong and J. G. Armstrong were messengers. The Sunday School had a membership of 60.

1917 B. J. Skaggs was pastor with a salary of $240.00. Marvin Stallings, J. B. Armstrong and J. C. Dickey were messengers.

1918 H. D. Burns was pastor with a salary of $360.00. J. A. Ridgway and S.O. Armstrong were messengers.

1919 H. D. Burns still pastor. There were 31 baptisms that year and a total membership of 146. J. O. Ridgeway, S.O. Armstrong and A. F. Armstrong were messengers

1920 H. D. Burns still pastor and salary was $600.00. Bro. Burns remained pastor with this salary until 1925. In 1920 there were 16 baptisms, 2 by letter and a church membership of 162. Elbert Bass, Geo. Armstrong, Ollie Hardin and J. W. Lloyd were messengers.

1921, one report says the church started having services 4 Sundays a month. Another report says that in 1928 the church was still having services on the 1st and 2nd Sundays.

1922 J. O. Ridgeway and S. O. Armstrong were messengers. There were 22 baptisms, 14 by letter and total membership of 193.

1923 Charlie Nelson and Geneva Stallings were messengers. 16 baptisms were reported and total membership of 214. The Sunday School had 111 enrolled and an average attendance of 73. The W.M.S. record of May 17, 1923 says that ten members agreed to give one egg a day to the society.

1924 The only record shows that we were still having 2nd and 4th Sunday Services.

1925 In this year J. W. Lloyd, R. L. Bridwell, A. F. Armstrong and 5.0, Armstrong were messengers. There was an active membership of 285. This was a great year in the life of the church. The present old building was constructed. It was dedicated on August 9th, 1925. It is reported that Mr. Bill King served as contractor with much on the labor being donated by the members. The basement was dug with horse drawn scrappers. Gravel for the cement was hauled by horse and wagon from Beech Fork near High Grove. The building cost $6,100.00. The new church was built directly in front of the old church . The old church was then torn down.

1926 R.B. Cundiff, who presently resides in Shepherdsville, was called as pastor. A. F. Armstrong was messenger. The record says that 10 members were found to be faithful in stewardship and were counted as tithers.

1927 Bro. Cundiff remained as pastor for the next two years. The messengers were S. O. Armstrong, James E. Bass, R. L. Bridwell, C.S. Moore, H. N. Proctor.

1928 Hugh Hall, Floyd Stallings, J. W. Lloyd and A. F. Armstrong served as messengers. The membership was 316.

1929 Clifford Walker became pastor. No other information available.

1930 Bro. Walker, Harley Proctor, J.O. Ridgeway and A. F. Armstrong were messengers. S. O. Armstrong became clerk.

1931 Bro. Walker and J.O. Ridgeway were messengers. Theodore Nelson was B.Y.P.U. Director. The membership was 331, Sunday School enrollment was 112 and the average attendance was 75.

1932 Jack Bridges became pastor. The salary dropped from $600.00 to $480.00 S.O. Armstrong was S.S. Superintendent. Mattie Ridgeway was W.M.U. President and Harley Proctor was B.Y.P.U. Director. 12 baptisms were recorded making a total membership of 336. Sunday School enrollment was 130 and averaged attendance of 75.

1933 Bro. Bridges still pastor. 13 baptisms recorded and Sunday School enrollment of 149…average attendance of 80. Waldo Gentry and Geneva Stallings served as messengers.

1934 Services on 2nd and 4th Sundays. S.O. Armstrong was messenger and Sunday School Superintendent Mrs. J. O. Ridgeway was W.M.U. President and Mrs. Russell Stallings was B.T.U. Director.

1935 T.E. Mason became pastor with a salary of $360.00. Virgie Jones, Paul Owen and Mrs. W. H. Vardiman served as messengers. S.O. Armstrong was S.S. Superintendent., and Paul Owen was B.T.U. Director, Evelyn Stallings was W.M.U. President. There were 368 members of the church, 146 enrolled in Sunday School and an average attendance of 90. Total income was $660.00.

1936 The church went from half-time to full-time services. Bra. Mason remained as pastor at a. salary of $207.00. The records show that the pastor’s salary steadily decreased from $600.00 in 1929 to $207.00 in 1936. We wonder if this is corre4t because next year the salary was back up to $636.00. We need to remember this was during the depression and the decline was in line with the failing economy. Messengers were Waldo Gentry, J. O. Ridgeway, Mrs. Russell Stallings and Mrs. Waldo Gentry. (One report states that in 1921 the church began to hold services four Sundays a month. However, other reports show the church began full time services in 1936. The discrepancy may be explained, according to Evelyn Stallings, in that the pastor led services twice a month. The other two Sunday services were led by members of the congregation. These services were referred to as prayer meetings. Evelyn Stallings relates that the pastor-led services were held on Saturday night, Sunday morning and Sunday night.)

1937 R. K. Bamburg became pastor. Mrs. Theodore Nelson, Mrs. R. L. Wade, R. L. Wade, J.Q. Ridgeway were messengers. J. B. Proctor was S.S. Superintendent., and May Bell Owen was W.M.U. President. Total church income was $1,197.59. Let us note that from this point on church minutes are available. All the church minutes prior to 1938 were burned. Most of the remaining information came from the minutes.

1938 Rev. R. K. Hamburg, Harley Proctor, R. L. Wade were messengers. J. B. Proctor was S.S. Superintendent., Ted Gentry was Choir Director and May Bell Owen was W.M.U. President. We were having mid-week services and the pastor’s salary was $824.01. Former pastor H.D. Burns held a revival with two professions of faith. Bro. Bamburg resigned on Dec. 18th.

1939 Bro. L.W. Knight was called as pastor. He became the 28th pastor with a salary of $780.00. The church voted to build a fence around the graveyard. Messengers were Harley Proctor, Rev. Knight, Mrs. Roland Jones and J. O. Ridgeway. Bro. Knight remained as pastor until 1941. The minutes from April 1940 to Oct. 29, 1944 are missing. The only information we have during this time was from the Long Run Associational Minutes.

1941 Ben Seitz was ordained at Pleasant Grove July 20, 1941 and became pastor. He was the first minister to be ordained in our church. He remained as pastor until 1942.

1943 W.W. Reese became pastor and remained through 1945, Messengers were S. D. Armstrong, Allard Armstrong, C. E. Smith, Waldo Gentry, R. L. Wade, J.O. Ridgeway and. Harley Proctor. Waldo Gentry was clerk, Allard Armstrong was S.S. Superintendent., Virginia Nelson was W.M.U. President. Bro. Southerland preached a revival and there were 13 professions of faith. During this year Allard Armstrong gave the church an acre of land in return for a roadway through the church property. This was the beginning of talk for a pastor’s home. On Nov. 25, 1945 Bro. Reese preached his final sermon.

1946 With a unanimous vote, Bro. Ben Lawton was called as pastor April 19, 1946. In July we voted to send $500.00 to the European Relief. During August Bro. Alden Puckett led a Revival in which there were 44 additions by baptism and 10 by letter. The meeting was closed on Aug. 25th with an all day meeting and dinner on the ground. The revival offering was $550.00! At the Sept. Business meeting the church voted to build two rooms at the rear of the building. Bro. Lawton asked that the church reduce his salary because he was spending so much time at teaching in the Seminary at a Negro University. He resigned on Nov. 3, 1946.

1946 Bro. J. K. Lawton became pastor. He remained until 1948,

1947 The church had it’s first Vacation Bible School. 82 were enrolled and an average attendance of 72. A motion was made to make an application to be admitted to the Nelson Association. The motion was defeated 7 to 4. In December the church voted to buy an oil furnace for $1,1812.00. The church had decided to build a parsonage and a building committee was appointed.

1948 Bro. Jessie M. Hill became pastor after the resignation of Bro. Lawton, who became pastor in Andrews, South Carolina. A house was rented for Bro. Hill at $20.00 per month. At the July business meeting Mr. Will Brown was employed to supervise the building of the parsonage. During this time Bro. Hill moved from a house on Fisher Lane to Shepherdsville.

1949 We have minutes from only one business meeting this year. Bro. Benningfield pastor of Mt. Washington, led a revival with 6 additions by baptism and one by letter.

1950 Bro. William Taylor Gardner became pastor. Bro. Hill resigned to accept a church in Greenville, South Carolina. During a business meeting on May 21, 1950 a motion to raise the pastor’s salary $150.00 per week. Bro. Gardner came as pastor on a unanimous vote to 104. He could not assume his duties until August. In September of 1950 the Brotherhood was organized.

1951 Jack Bridges preached a revival with 7 additions by baptism and 4 by letter. In 1951 we had a Sunday School enrollment of 208 and the average attendance of 117.

1952 In January the church had a note burning ceremony for the note on the parsonage. Faithful and hard-working Baptist did not relax and in June we voted to remodel the auditorium.

1953 The church was growing! A committee was appointed to write a history of the church. In March 1953, the church voted to remodel the auditorium, adding a baptistery and to build an annex for educational space. A few days later disaster struck! The pastor’s home burned. The early minutes of the church, up to 1938, were destroyed along with most of the possessions of the pastor’s family. This was a time of great disappointment but the church began to plan immediately for the reconstruction of a parsonage. A building committee was instructed in May to draft plans for the home. A few weeks later a check for $25.00 was sent to the Mt Washington Fire Dept. for a gallant but futile attempt to save the house.

In February of 1954 the church voted to go on with the plans for the educational annex. In December the church raised the pastor’s salary $5.00 per week.

1955 The second parsonage was dedicated on June 12th. The note on the building was burned and Rev. Richard Cundiff preached the dedication sermon. At the June business meeting the invoice for the new carpet was presented…$998.00.

1956 was a year of extreme sadness. Bro. Gardner became ill. Bro. Skeleton preached during part of the pastor’s illness.
In 1956 the Sunday School enrollment was 289 and the average attendance was 143.
In January 1957 Bro. Benningfield was called to fill the pulpit during the pastor’s illness. In June, 1957, Bro. Gardner went to meet his Lord after a long illness leaving a wife, Neva and two young sons, Billy and Truet Gardner. His length of years as pastor is exceeded only by Bro. Burns. Bro. Gardner served the church faithfully and a fellowship hall in the new building is dedicated in his memory. September. 1, 1957 the church voted to borrow $11,500.00 to begin construction on the annex, remodel the auditorium, buy new pulpit furniture and install stain glass windows. The cost of the new parsonage, constructing the annex, remodeling and redecorating was $29,738.00. The church voted to call Bro. Noah Benningfield as pastor. The church bought a new altar table in 1958.

1959 The church voted to install stained glass windows, to build a garage at the parsonage, to buy a new pulpit and to begin a “pew fund”.

1960 The church withdrew from the Long Run Association and joined the Nelson Association.

1961 February 8, the church voted to buy new pews for $3,500.00. The church voted to donate the old pews to Wickland and to Bardstown Jct. Baptist Churches. On April 16th Harold Ray Armstrong was ordained to the Gospel Ministry. Bro. Jim Spaulding, who was to later become pastor of the church, preached the ordination sermon. In 1961 there were 311 enrolled in Sunday School and the average attendance was 214.

1962 July 19th at the regular Morning Worship hour a note burning ceremony was held marking the completion of two years of service by Bro. Benningfield as pastor and making the church debt free. Taking part in the ceremony were, Allard Armstrong, Kenneth Armstrong and Cecil Bridwell. The notes were for building an annex for Sunday School work, a garage at the parsonage, completely redecorating the auditorium and other improvements at a cost of $27,738.00. August 22, Bro. Benningfield read his letter of resignation. During the Dec. Business Meeting the church voted to accept a bid from Mr. Ison McKeehon of $1,750.00 to build a vestibule.

1963 January 13, the church called Bro. Owen Risk as pastor. In May the church voted to take an option of 3 acres of ground from Mr. B. E. Culbertson, for two years at $1,000.00 per acre. Two months later the church appointed 4 men to write the by-laws of our church.

1964 April 26, the deacons recommended to purchase the land. A motion was made by Allard Armstrong and seconded by Wallace Armstrong to accept this recommendation’ The vote was 48 for and 2 against. October 4, Bro. Risk announced his resignation. Dr. Roy Boatwright became interim pastor on Nov. 1, 1964. He served as interim for over a year.

1965 November 7, the church called James Spaulding as pastor. He assumed his duties as pastor on January 1, 1966. In

1966 there were 343 enrolled in Sunday School and the attendance was 210. In 1966 the church had an income of $22,331.00, in 1967 the income was $33,885.00. In 1966 there were 16 baptisms and 8 additions by letter. Our Training Union enrollment was 156 in 1966 with an attendance of 90. In February a survey was completed that showed 380 families living on the church field and a population of about 1300. The church began considering plans for a new building. A building committee was appointed with the following: Pastor, Wallace Armstrong (chairman), Melville Owen, Jackie Holland, Cecil Bridwell, Ralph Fitzgerald, Clifford Foster, Harley Proctor, and Shirley Proctor. This committee visited several churches and with the help of The Church Architecture Dept., of The Sunday School Board, finally arrived at what we thought we needed. On July 13, 1966 the church voted to construct a new building on the new property. In November the church signed a contract with Harlan Newkirk of Louisville to draw the glans and serve as architect.

1967 February, the church gave the contract for the new building to F.O. Byers of Louisville for $102,872.00. This price did not include excavation, which cost an additional $7,500.00, nor did it include any furnishings, etc. March 5…a special offering for the new building raised $4,500.00. On March 12, a ground breaking ceremony was held. The construction began that week. 38 additional pews were purchased for the new building and on the Sunday Evening before the pews came on Monday, the last of the $3,800.00 needed to pay for the pews was raised. The new building was completely air conditioned and seated over 500 for worship. In 1967 there were 383 enrolled in Sunday School and the attendance was 239. In 1967 there were 36 baptisms and 19 additions by letter, in 1967 the church had a Vacation Bible School enrollment of 198…an increase of 58 over the previous year! In 1967 the Training Union enrollment was 175 and the attendance was 114! The first service in the new church was held on October 8, 1967 with dedication services held on October 15, 1967.

In 1969, Bro. Cecil Laster was called as paster and served until his retirement in December 1976. On May 25, 1969 Mr. Steve Fegenbush was called as our first Minister of Music and Education.

On March 27, 1974, the church voted to remove the old church building. In October 1974, the work was completed.

On February 6, 1977, Bro. Dowling Runner became pastor and remained until his resignation in 1985. In April 1977, the final payment was made on the present church building.

In 1985, the church called Bro. Dillard Lykins who served until July 1986. In 1986, Dr. David Q. Byrd became interim pastor and served until May 1987 when the church called Bro. Mark Ross.

In 1990, under the leadership of Pastor Mark Ross, a new building program was embarked upon. A large addition, including a gym was built. This building added new Sunday School rooms, offices, a chapel and a new kitchen. In 1995 membership was at 732 members with an average worship attendance of 303.

In 1999 Sunday School rooms and music suite were added to the unfinished area above the gymnasium. Dedication was held for this area on February 27, 2000.

In 2000, the church voted to purchase adjoining property from Paul and Andilyn Kophage for the sum of $125,000. In July 2000, Mark Ross left Pleasant Grove to pastor a church in Marion, VA. Shortly thereafter, Bro. Jack Oliver became the Interim Pastor.

On June 10, 2001 Dr. Chip Pendleton was elected by a vote of 278 to 0 to become the new pastor. He started serving as pastor July 29, 2001.

In May 2002, it was voted to trade the Korphage property for five acres directly behind the church, then belonging to Orian Armstrong. In 2003, eight plus acres of adjoining property was purchased from Opal Leola Ryan for the sum of $110,000. These properties will allow room for growth as the Lord leads and the church decides. The church voted to hire the professional Planning Team of Sherman, Carter, Barnhart to help decide how the church should best use the resources to expand the minister of Pleasant Grove.

In mid-2004, Dr. Chip Pendleton resigned as pastor and Stan Lowery took the Interim Pastor position. In late summer, a pastor search committee was formed. In January 2006, the church hired a new part-time Minister to Youth, Clayton Pruett.

On July 23, 2006, Bro Von Erik Smith, Sr. was elected by a vote of 162 yes and 1 no to become our new pastor. He started as pastor in August, 2006 and served until September 2008. On August 31, 2006, Roberta Thomas, who served faithfully as church secretary for 30 years retired. Susan Lewis became the Office Administrator with a new office assistant hired.

In March 2007, Stan Lowery resigned as Minister of Education after 13 years of service at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church to become our Nelson Baptist Association Director of Missions. In April 2007, Libby Thomas resigned as pianist after 14 years of faithful service to the church. In May 2007, the church hired a part-time Minister of Music, Dean Antle. Bro. Von served as pastor until September 2008.

During November 2008, David Stokes served as interim. Bro. Ron Lasley then served as interim from January through July 2009 when Dr. Walter L. Mantooth was called as pastor. In March 2010, Bro. Ron Lasley was called as part-time Minister of Outreach and Church Growth as Pleasant Grove sponsored a new church plant, Maranatha Community Church, which Bro. Ron Lasley began.

Today the membership is 816 with an average Sunday worship attendance of approximately 200. The church supports full-time pastor, Dr. Walter L. Mantooth; a Minister of Youth/College & Career, Clayton Pruett, a part-time Minister of Music, Dean Antle; a part-time Children’s Minister, Carolyn Collins; a part-time Minister of Outreach and Church Growth, Bro. Ron Lasley; a Pianist, Ashley Stratton; a full-time Office Administrator, Susan Lewis; and a part-time Office Assistant, Dawn Antle. Supply Organists Wanda Richardson and Millie Miller also serve.

What does the future hold? Who knows? But, we do know who holds the future. Our concern should be, WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THE FUTURE? Join us in prayer that Pleasant Grove Baptist Church will be found faithfully fulfilling her mission in the future as she has in the past.