Pleasant Grove Baptist Church-Covington
From Tcoe
Johnny James, Ph.D, Pastor
4625 Highway 59 S
Covington, TN 38019-7385
(901) 476-7016
Website
Member of Big Hatchie Baptist Association
[edit] Services
Sunday School: 10am
Sunday Worship: 11am and 6pm
Wednesday: Supper 6pm, Worship and Prayer Service 7pm
[edit] Staff
Pastor - Johnny James, Ph.D
Music Director - Leon Roane
Pianist - Jo Lynn Petty
Organist - June Roane
Sound Coordinator - Chris Chaney
Sunday School Director - Tony Coots
Youth Director - Diane Wilkes
Secretary - Debbie Bryan
Treasurer - Royce Petty
[edit] History (from the website)
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church had its beginning in a two-story farmers’ lodge in the Ruffin community in September 1910, approximately one-half mile south of the present site. It was the dream of the Taylors, the Terrys and the Parkers so that Baptist in this rural area would have a convenient place to worship. Rev. L. Raynor, Rev. Napoleon Fleming, and Rev. J. E. Miles assisted in the organization.
A wood-frame building was constructed a few years later on a plot of ground given by Robert Hastings. This building served the group until the 1950’s when a new brick building was constructed bit by bit with much volunteer labor and sacrificial giving. Members even made most of the bricks that were used. This was during the pastorates of F. D. Stone, Robert Mizell, and R. E. Leigh. A pastorium was also built during this time.
Fire destroyed the building in November 1958, when Buck Morton was pastor. A determined congregation began the present building immediately and had the first service in the new building on Easter Sunday in 1959. This building was contracted and built by Mr. A.E. Slover, a member of the church. Mr. Slover remained a member of the church until his death in late 2002.
Adjoining land was purchased on two different occasions; some from Mr Hastings and some from Leslie Culver, completing the three acres presently in use by the church.
Harvest Day was held at varying times until the traditional Sunday-before-Thanksgiving date was established. These occasions have become times for thank offerings to be given for needed repairs and additional comforts or beautification.
Harvest Day, 1990, became a special time of celebration for the 80th anniversary of the church. Pleasant Grove’s only produced minister, Ronnie Wylie, delivered the morning message. Dinner was served and the celebration continued into the afternoon. Many former members joined in the celebration.
Two young ladies in our church dedicated their lives for full-time Christian service, Connie Davis Stallings and Rebecca Nichols. Connie became a missionary with her husband Sam.
Beginning in the late 1930’s, the following pastors have served consecutively: Teddy Evans, Paul Turner, F. D. Stone, Robert Mizell, Robert Hamblin, James Riherd, R. E. Leigh, Buck Morton, Kenneth Story, Harold Simmons, J. D. Lane, Bill Pearce, Dillard West, Lowell Meade, and John Tolbert.
Johnny James, the current pastor, has served since September 1991.
In 1997 a new Family Life Center was erected on the property.
