Church History

Holt, Florida 32564
Route, One
July 5, 1969

A Brief History of
PLEASANT HOME BAPTIST CHURCH

Preface-The Locale

Pleasant Home Baptist Church is located in the Eastern part of Santa Rosa county, approximately eight miles north of Harold, and ten miles south of Munson, within the Blackwater River State Forest. It is thought of, by many, as being isolated (which is easily understood). Blackwater River is approximately six miles to the east and three miles to the south, with nearby Juniper Creek to the west and Sweetwater Creek about eight miles to the north.

Apart from being a remote area, climactic conditions were often unfavorable. Heavy rains, flooded and swollen streams often prevailed, disrupting worship service and Bible study--an existing condition since the life of the church, and extremely so during the pastorate of Rev. L.G. Stewart. However, by this time this condition was directly affecting the travel of school teachers, Civil Service personnel, construction employees, and various laborers commuting to their work. The need of a high-water bridge to accommodate this community was beginning to meet the eye of our elected officials. Rev. L.G. Stewart, LeRoy Johnson, R.G. "Bob" Pitts and L.B. Cooper initiated the movement to remedy this condition. R.G. "Bob" Pitts and L.B. Cooper presented to the Board of County Commissioners a petition honoring the signatures of 401 registered voters favoring this bridge. However, this petition was tabled due to lack of funds. After a reasonable length of time, Senator Clayton Maypoles (also a member of State Appropriation Committee) came to our aide and worked through the Blackwater River State Forest, and secured a high-water bridge on Juniper Creek.

The outstanding beauty of the area can be attributed to its serene quietness. Away from the "hustle and bustle" of the crowded thoroughfares, it nestles among pine, dogwood, and other growth of the forest. This area of the forest is not so dense as to expect wild boar, bear or panthers. However, wild turkey and deer roam freely and the late afternoons are accented by the shrilling songs of native birds.

To My Husband
Leslie B. Cooper
("And the Little Church He Loves")

He has been affiliated with Pleasant Home Baptist Church his entire life from a babe in the arms of christian parents to a squirming adolescent bench warmer, next an early youth conversion, hence a mature conscientious christian serving in the capacity of church clerk, church treasurer, and chairman of deacons.

HISTORY

In August of the year 1900 a small group of Christ's followers, consisting mostly of homesteaders who migrated to this area from southern Alabama, gathered with their very faithful Shepherd the late Rev. John Senterfeit of Holt, Florida, and organized a church which was immediately named Pleasant Home. The late Rev. J.T. Maypoles (grandfather of Senator Clayton Maypoles) acted as moderator. The old Daniels School House, a small one room log structure, so very prevalent in those days, was the stage for this very inspiring scene.

The exact membership of this organization is not definitely known, however. the following list of Charter Members is authentic, but your scribe regrets to say is incomplete:

For Several years Pleasant Home Baptist Church had no real church home. They continued to assemble themselves in school buildings (Heb. 10:25). At no time do we feel that the shepherd of this small flock neglected his sheep. He like Paul found great joy in visiting, and encouraging his small flock.

During an old fashioned revival meeting, conducted by the late Rev. Senterfeit, the Late Mr. & Mrs. Hatley T. Pierce were spiritually led to grant and deed to the church a tract of land on which to build Pleasant Home Baptist Church. From that time, due chiefly to deprecating attitudes of some, they ceased to assemble in school buildings, but selected a spot in the pond or dale like place at the rear of the church grounds in which to hold their meetings. This remains a very sacred spot in the hearts of many for it was here that the late Rev. E.T. Pitts was ordained as minister. It was here also that both the late E.M. Pitts ant the late Hatley T. Pierce were ordained as deacons.

Work was begun almost immediately on the new church building, a tall one-room wooden structure built entirely of contributed materials, and free labor. Truly God was in their midst, (Matt. 18:20) for in the year 1904 Pleasant Home Baptist Church became a fully constituted Baptist Church.

Time marches on, year after year while Pleasant Home continues to make history under the leadership of some of the most beloved pastors of the entire Southern Baptist Association. Many have passed on to reap their reward for their faithfulness, some have retired, while others remain active in the Great Kingdom's work.

All Pleasant Home's history cannot be called beautiful, never-the-less, she continued to exist during the time our nation was involved in two world wars--to say nothing of the hardships during the depression of the 1930's.

Rev. J.B. Ward having filled the pastorate of Pleasant Home Baptist Church for a number of years in a most commendable and spiritual way resigned just prior to the era of depression. However, the pulpit was filled with excellent spirit filled speakers. Men like Rev. H.D. Wilson, full time pastor to Bagdad Baptist Church, filled the pulpit on Sunday afternoon, usually twice monthly.

Rev. J.J. Cooper pastored the church approximately three years. He had no transportation, but often walked to and from his home in Holt for Sunday Services--often no offerings were taken. Enough funds to purchase Sunday School literature often created a hardship since finances were at a record low. Rev. G.C. Eubanks and Rev. J.L. Henderson respectively were also victim pastors of this era. Each pastored the church well and very graciously accepted produce from the farms and gardens to help fray their expenses.

In September of 1940, Rev. Alvin C. Higdon was called to pastor our church. His salary was to be supplemented with about one-half of the amount in farm produce. He served the church well, but only for a short period before he was called to other fields.

Young and energetic Rev. R.G. Key was God's next man for Pleasant Home. By this time the church's financial conditions had gradually improved. Rev. Key pastored the church with spiritual zeal for approximately three years before God led him to new fields. Likewise He had Rev. George Pugh ready to answer to Pleasant Home's call. Rev. Pugh was a sincere christian, but like so many other of our pastors, his stay with us was short.

The Resettlement Act also added a new era to the church's history. Some of its people sold their homes to the Resettlement and moved into new territory--only to weaken our church and membership, and in instances scattering the little flock.

The old building which stood decade after decade held many cherished memories. Apart from the regular worship services, many other occasion were enjoyed--All-day Singings, Fifth Sunday Meetings, weddings, Training Union Socials, and occasionally an Associational Meeting. Then the heart-rendering and sorrowful occasions of funerals when loved ones and friends were laid to rest in the quiet cemetery, adjacent the church grounds.

The fruits of the faithfulness of so many worthy and devoted pastors could gradually be seen as the late Rev. John Smith was called to the field to pastor the scattered flock. He in his devoted efforts made great progress in gathering the church together again. He saw the need of new deacons, and aside Brother's J.C. Pitts, L.B. Cooper, Mason Howard and W.W. Parker. They were ordained November 12, 1944. July following Rev. Smith acted as Evangelist for the Annual Revival at which time there were 22 additions to the church, 20 of these were newly converted with a repetition the following July revival of 11 additions.

Other fine pastors followed Rev. John Smith's resignation with equal success. Rev. Shirley and Ralph J. Noles, respectfully, were our next shepherds. Both of these fine pastors were filled with spiritual zeal for our Lord. However, neither were with us long before they. too, moved on to broader fields.

The original church building, now nearing an approximate half-century mark and having had only a few minor repairs from time to time, had reached a most dilapidated condition, but a much brighter future was just ahead-in fact on the very horizon.

Rev. Theodore Smith, a licensed hut not ordained minister, was called on the field, Rev. Smith agreed to supply in the pastor's absence for the remainder of the associational year following the resignation of Rev. Ralph J. Noles. At the end of the year Rev. Smith was unanimously called to pastor the church. He accepted after making an agreement with the church to serve the first six months as a licensed minister after which he would call for an ordination service and be ordained as minister. He was ordained at Pleasant Home April 3, 1949. [Two weeks before I was born--MSO]

Rev. Smith, very young in the ministry, but ever so full of energy and vitality for the Lords work set about almost immediately to make conditions better, The church went from half-time to full time church services under his leadership. He also promoted a live-wire Sunday School and Training Union Program, which before would occasionally hibernate in the cold winter months and bud forth in the spring.

Transportation for the Sunday School was another important step. A comfortable means of transportation was not available, but L.B. Cooper made regular Sunday morning rounds on his pick-up truck. This meant much to those who took advantage. The regular attendance of Sunday School Secretary, Miss Kathleen Pitts was an example.

Very soon a deep-well pump was put down in the yard. Water for a half-century was formally secured from a spring about one-quarter mile from the church.

Rev, Smith realizing the need of so great an institution working systematically, organized a budget which the church found favorable. Included in the budget was 10% of all offerings for world missions, "Given through the Cooperative Program". A building fund was also set aside.

A finance committee for the new building program was appointed and sent out with prayers from the church, for by this time Rev. Smith had presented the picture of his new vision home for Pleasant Home Baptist Church-a beginning that many rumored would never be finished.

The building was begun by the addition of four Sunday School rooms at the rear of the old building. These were built of Tile Block and built in such a manner as to join on to the main church building at a later date. Thus the Sunday School rooms were completed with very little hired labor.

How welcome were those rooms that first cold and rainy morning the Sunday School had access to them. The classes had previously been meeting out doors when weather was permissable. In unfavorable weather conditions all classes met in the one room church building. [permissable is the original spelling]

A bid was taken on the old church building which was sold and moved from the church grounds for one hundred dollars.

Worship services were continued in the Sunday School rooms while the new church building was under construction. By December of 1951 services were being held in the new auditorium-not finished, but fairly comfortable.

Through the untiring efforts of both Rev. and Mrs. Smith (who worked as co-partner with him), with offerings and donations (ranging from ten cents to one hundred dollars each), with both free and hired labor, and last but in no way the least--prayers to, and faith in the Almighty God, the thing that couldn't be done was done and the new Pleasant Home Baptist Church, with an auditorium and six class rooms, and built of tile block was complete, except for a few minor interior finishings [original spelling] with an approximate cost of $2,250, debt free.

The Lord continued to bless, and two additional rooms, a nursery and a class room, were added to the rear of the building, but were incomplete at the time of Rev. Theodore Smith's resignation.

Rev. J.C. Shell was next on the field. He was a spirit filled man of God, but was soon called to other fields. His resignation came as a blow. However, Rev. C.C. Morris soon stood behind the sacred desk. Rev. Morris so full of Spiritual energy led the flock well for several years. The church was stunned when he, too, was called to broader fields. It was during his pastorate that the half-century old benches were replaced with our present pews. Also, the old lighter-knot heaters were replaced with gas heaters for each room.

History repeats itself. As the Lord calls our pastors-all dearly beloved, one by one to new or broader fields, he likewise has another prepared for Pleasant Home.

The Rev. Harvey G. Thornton, truly a man of tremendous Faith is our next Shepherd. He leads the flock well. During his leadership the church purchased an acre of land which joins the church property on the West. The old antiquated piano was also replaced with a new one. On several occasions Rev. Thornton expressed his desire for higher learning, each time with more sincerity and determination. Finally, with a glow on his face he told the church his plans for moving his family to New Orleans where he expected to enter the Baptist Theological Seminary. The church shared his happiness and recommended him to the Seminary for the Fall Semester. Faith which led Rev. Thornton there, carried him through to graduation.

Rev. Eric Arrant, a B.B.I. graduate answered the call and was our next pastor. He was spirit filled and a devoted pastor whom everyone loved. At his resignation the Lord led Rev. L.G. Stewart to the Pleasant Home Field. Rev. Stewart, strong in faith, promoted 11% Instead of 10% of offerings to World Missions through the Cooperative Program He also initiated general clean-up to the church, the grounds and the cemetery. The establishing of authentic boundary lines to the church and cemetery property had its beginning under his pastorate. The church also observed its first Home Coming during his leadership, and established it to be an annual affair on Easter Sunday of each year. He resigned because of failing health on Easter Sunday 1963. Our hearts are saddened as each of our pastors go.

For several weeks we had no pastor. However, some very sincere and spirit filled servants of God filled the pulpit. During this time God was preparing Rev. Charles B. Sansom as our pastor. Rev. Sansom, strong in spirit, and a man of great faith, was a challenge to each of us to a more complete dedicated Christian life. His success as pastor is very evident when one takes notice of the accomplishments achieved under his leadership. New pulpit furniture replaced the old, a small mobile home was purchased and moved to church property to accommodate the pastor and family on Sundays and weekends.

Young Gregory Clements, probably the second in the entire church history, surrendered his life for ministry March 14, 1965 and was ordained as minister September 19, 1965. Rev. Gregory Clements is now serving a full time church, and at present he is treasurer to the Santa Rosa Baptist Association.

Perhaps Rev. Sansom excelled all other pastors in the number of church weddings he performed.

Complete and authentic boundary lines for church property, including the cemetery, were established by a registered surveyor and recorded during his pastorate, which reads as:

Annual Home Coming date was changed from Easter Sunday to First Sunday in August of each year.

There was a hushed silence in the congregation on the morning of January 7, 1968 when Rev. Sansom announced his resignation effective January 14, 1968.

Again the pulpit committee was faced with the responsibility of finding God's choice for our pastor. The pulpit was filled at each regular service with out-standing spirit filled men. Then on March 31, 1968, Rev. Harold A. Anderson answered God's call to shepherd the Pleasant Home flock. Rev. Anderson, a student at the Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville, Florida, was a licensed minister, but by request of the church was ordained in his home church in Jacksonville, Florida, April 28, 1968.

Rev. Anderson realized the need of more field work and immediately initiated a weekly prayer service. He also set the building committee in order for repairs and additions to the church. The accomplishments of so worthy a shepherd remains to be seen, as God continues to bless Pleasant Home Baptist Church.

By: Edith Cooper
(Mrs. L.B. Cooper)
July 6, 1968

Due to incomplete records we are unable to give an accurate list of the faithful pastors who have helped to make Pleasant Home Church. Each of the following, and others, played an important role, however, they are not in chronological order:

PASTORS

The record of deacons ordained to aid these worthy ministers since August of 1900, is also incomplete:

DEACONS

The Church Trustees Are: W.M. Ivey, L.B. Cooper and Mason Howard

It is not feasible to attempt to enumerate the conversions and other additions to this church. Our present environment is 182. Mrs. Ella H. Pitts is our only Charter member.