Members of Pleasant Hill Free Will Baptist Church pose for a photograph in 1951. The church is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
PIKEVILLE - Homecoming services on Sunday, Oct. 15, at Pleasant Hill Free Will Baptist Church will mark the church's 100th anniversary.
Freddie Pierce will lead the Sunday school hour at 10 and the pastor, the Rev. David Thick, will preach at 11. A fellowship lunch will be served afterward. The afternoon song service will start around 1:30.
Special events celebrating the history and growth of the church have been held throughout the year.
Banners, commemorative T-shirts and caps were ordered along with a souvenir plate.
The church was organized in 1895 in the home of J.H. Shallington.
The first church was built about one half mile from the present location. The church remained there for four years.
On January 5, 1898, the present site was deeded to the church and the building was moved from the original location to the present site. The Rev. Curtis Howell was called as the first pastor.
The church's history records steady progress over the years.
The first addition to the original building was two Sunday School classrooms in 1948. Memorial windows were added in 1950, and in 1956 the church started a complete renovation of the building, inside and out. The outside was brick veneered, more classrooms were added, new pews were placed in the sanctuary, and a heating plant was installed.
The fellowship hall was completed in 1967 and the church parsonage was finished in 1978.
In 1957 the church went from one service monthly to two services a month and full-time services began in 1972. In addition to the Sunday worship and mid-week prayer services, there are 11 Sunday school classes, four youth groups, a Ladies' auxiliary, and adult choir, a girl's choir and a youth choir. Vacation Bible School is held each summer.
The church's outreach programs include support of Mount Olive College and the Free Will Baptist Children's Home in Middlesex.
A $100 scholarship is given to any youth from the church who attends Mount Olive College. The church also encourages and helps its young people attend summer camp at Cragmont and Eagle's Nest.
The centennial celebration will continue until the end of 1995. An old-fashioned day is planned for the first Sunday in November and special holiday activities are planned.
Photograph and article orginally published in the Goldsboro News-Argus on Friday, September 29, 1995.
