History of Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church

 

 

 

Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church was originated in the 1900’s.  Meetings were first held at the Cross Road School.  Later the members were able to purchase a small amount of land from Sister Sylvia Grimes, S.J. Finley and P.L. Finley.  In 1927, the members were able to purchase another half-acre of land from Mr. Robert Slayton and built the structure that is currently standing here today.  Deacons serving under the leadership of Rev. Richard T. Lewis was Lonnie Baker, Fletcher Jordan, Mack Shannon, Rowe Crowder, B.T. Griffin and Willie Turk.

 

After the death of Rev. Richard T. Lewis, Rev. Will Davis served as Interim Pastor until one was selected.  The second Pastor selected was Rev. J.C.Wright until his death. 

 

Rev. W.L. Lewis, the grandson of Rev. Richard T. Lewis was selected as the next Pastor of the church.  Under his leadership, the membership grew rapidly.  There were many improvements made such as, installation of church pews, the purchase of a piano and hardwood floors.  Deacons who served under the leadership of Rev. W.L. Lewis were Willie Turk, E.P. Richardson, Rayfield Jordan, Arthur Moreman, Earnest Callaway, John N. Jordan and Bruce Rowell.

 

In 1964, Rev. O.D. Hill was selected as Pastor.  Under his leadership, the church continued to grow, a kitchen was added and bricks purchased for the church.

 

Rev. Arthur Pearson became the next Pastor and under his leadership, the church was bricked and new pews were purchased.  In the front entrance of the church, new bathrooms were added along with a water fountain in the foyer.  New Deacons installed were Charlie Turk, Jesse Combs and Ezra Allen.

 

Rev. Porter was selected as the next Pastor. New Deacons installed were E.B. Copland, Harvey Crawford and Larry Turk.  Rev. Porter served for 3 years.  Rev. Hardy Graves, the Assistant Pastor became the Interim Pastor until one was chosen.  Under Rev. Graves, the church was reorganized.  Rev. Graves also funded the cemetery fund, which still exist today.

 

Rev. Andrew Alexander was selected as Pastor in November 1981.  November 1986, a Building Committee was formed to discuss renovating the church. The members had a vote to allow the Church Trustees to secure a loan from Auburn National Bank.  The Trustees were Delbrow Brunson, Robert Cadenhead, Dorothy Pitts, Lucille Johnson, Charles Buchanan and Louise Brunson.  After receiving the loan, the church renovations began. By October 1987, the renovations to the Church sanctuary were complete. Other improvements were; renovation to the bathrooms, three classrooms, a baptismal pool, carpet installation and air condition units installed.  In addition, members of Pleasant View padded the Church pews and added a steeple to the Church.  After the renovations, the members continued to work on improvements to the church.  Materials were purchased to cover the chairs in the pulpit, drapery to cover the pool, a water cooler, screen doors for the kitchen and robes. New Deacons installed were Delbrow Brunson, Claude Brunson, A.W. Graves, Robert Cadenhead, Linwood Love, George Ervin and Dexter Card.

 

Rev. Willie E. Davis was selected as the Pastor in 1995.  The church continued its growth and under his leadership, the Lewis-Davis Fellowship Hall was formed, including a new kitchen, classrooms and a new Pastor’s study.  The front of the church was renovated which included bathroom upgrades with a handicapped bathroom added.  The Deacons assisting with this project was, Henry Callaway, Dexter Card, Jesse Combs, George Ervin, Charlie Turk and Larry Turk.  The church began worship service every Sunday and the time was changed to 11:00 a.m. A Junior Choir, Bible Study and the purchase of the outside signage was put into place.  Other improvements made were, a conference room, a library and a tin top roof. Also during this time, stained glass windows were installed and wallpaper border was added to the Fellowship Hall.

 

December 28, 2013, Rev. Davis passed away. Rev. Davis was funeralized on January 1, 2014.  On December 29, 2013, the current Deacons asked Rev. Phelix Lockhart to serve as Interim Pastor and he gladly accepted.  Thereafter, a church meeting was held to make a decision to bring Rev. Lockhart on as the next Pastor.  During the meeting, the church voted unanimously to have Rev. Phelix Lockhart as the next Pastor for Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church. 

 

On March 16, 2014, Pastor Phelix Lockhart was installed and Pastor A.H. Shelley and the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church family were the guests.  Under the leadership of Rev. Lockhart, new members have been received and some have been baptized. 

 

June 28, 2014, Pastor Lockhart’s vision is to begin a youth choir, choir workshops, reestablish a program committee, youth and adult outings and financial literacy.  In

addition, Michael Campbell Jr., became the Junior Superintendent and Shawndria Calloway became Secretary of the Sunday school. 

 

October 2014, Pastor Lockhart asked the church to come together during Wednesday evening Bible study, to pray and brainstorm on a Purpose Statement for Pleasant View Missionary Church family to stand on.  By the end of October, the church implemented a new Purpose Statement; “A church where God is Glorified, Jesus is lifted, Love is shown and Lives are changed. 

 

November 2014, the women of Pleasant View had its first outing with dinner and fellowship.  Beginning January 2015, morning worship went from 11:00 am to 10:45 am each Sunday. On March 17, 2015, something happen that was truly a blessing and a sign that God is continuing to Bless Pleasant View Missionary. Sis Estella Hutchinson joined the church and rededicated her life to God on Pastor Lockhart’s first Pastoral Anniversary.  In June 2015, the Youth had their first outing with bowling and pizza after many years.

 

Beginning mid-year of 2015, Pastor Lockhart appointed a new Chairman of the Deacon Board, Deacon Dexter Card along with a Vice-Chairman, Deacon Larry Turk.  The church choir gained a new President, and a new Financial Clerk. 

 

Members who has served as Church Secretary: Bro. Fred Crowder, Deacon E.P. Richardson, Deacon Willie Turk, Deacon Rayfield Jordan, Deacon Charlie Turk, and presently, Deacon Jesse Combs.

 

Members who has served as Sunday School Superintendents: Bro. Jake Macon, Bro. Ocie Jordan, Bro. Arthur Moreman, Bro. Willie Turk, Jr., Deacon Fletcher Crowder, Bro. James Jenkins, Bro. James Rowell, Deacon Jesse Combs, Reverend Robert Cadenhead and presently, Deacon Dexter Card.

 

Members who has served as Missionary President: Sis. Lula Allen, Sus. Susie B. Jordan, Sis. Minnie Cooper, Sis. Bertha Moreman, Sis. Emma L. Echols, Sis. Curtis Rowell Philmore, Sis. Louise Brunson, Sis. Dorothy Hicks, Sis. Rosetta Black, Sis. Major Love and presently, Sis. Hattie Turk.

 

God is continuously blessing Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church in the way He wants His church to be. As a church family, we will continue to follow God and let Jesus lead us in the way we should go.

 

 

Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church Family