Church: Pine Grove Baptist Church History, 1894-1994, Sabine Parish La. Submitted by: Linda Stipes (Lstipes@aol.com) ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** PINE GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY Established September 9, 1894 1894-1994 First 100 Years Located on Highway 118, in Peason Community in Sabine Parish, Florien, LA. PINE GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY Established September 9, 1894 1894-1994 First 100 Years Located on Highway 118, in Peason Community in Sabine Parish, Florien, LA. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life...John 3:16 Pine Grove Baptist Church was established September 9, 1894 by a group of men who had split off from Middle Creek Church after some disagreement among the members. There was a great need for a church in Pine Grove Community at this time. These men were Steve Richards, John Leach, John Britt, Lum Dowden, Seeb Allen, Adam Cole and probably others. There is no record of the first four years of Pine Grove, but beginning in April of 1898, meticulous records were kept and make very interesting reading. An excerpt from the April 9, 1898: (There being a charge on the minutes against Sisters Alice Peterson and Marcy Crittenton for dancing. A committee was named to see the Sisters and reported back to the church, resulting in withdrawing fellowship. In these same minutes the church preferred charges against Bro. Devasty Leach for trading horses on the Sabbath Day. We are glad to report that acknowledgement was made at a later conference and all were restored to full fellowship.) On May 8, 1898, Bro. Allen Butler was baptized and on the same day he was elected as church clerk, a position which he held for many years. He was a man of fairly small stature physically, but a giant in his Christian life. He taught Sunday School and BTU classes, served as Sunday School Superintendent and many other positions. He was truly a dedicated Christian and took his duties seriously. He helped to shape and mold many young people's values. His influence is still felt in this church today. "Uncle Allen" as he was known to most of us is truly one of the patriarchs in the history of Pine Grove. And there were many others, past, present and future who will leave their mark in the history of Pine Grove. The minutes of September 29, 1933 dealt with getting a new roof for the church building; boards were priced as $3 per thousand and shingles at $4 per thousand. Three conferences later and after much discussion all agreed to just patch the old roof and wait a while on the new one. Truly a Baptist decision. But God was working in it all for in March of 1934 the Peason Church made an offer of their building to Pine Grove: this was due to the fact that the sawmill had cut all the timber and was moving on. The little sawmill town was disbanded and many moved with it but thanks be to God some stayed in the little community of Peason. The building that was offered by the Peason Church was constructed in 1921 and was valued at $2500 and would seat 400 people. Although it was a larger, more modern building and more accessible it was hard to leave the little church on the hill where they had served the Lord for 40 years. Nevertheless they recognized the advantages and graciously accepted the church building and one acre of land from the Peavy Wilson Lumber Company. The old church building was sold for $50 and Pine Grove moved to its new building. Pine Grove worshipped in that building with its high ceilings and bell tower for 29 years. During these years the church struggled to pay their pastor and the expenses of the church. In December of 1936, Bro. J.C. Dowden suggested as a means of financing that each member plant a patch of cotton solely for the church. This cotton was known as "church cotton". Bro. Monroe Roberts was pastor at this time. God blessed and the church carried on having services one time a month, then in December 1944, the church voted to go half- time preaching and progressing to full-time in February 1946. On May, 1963 conference was called to decide whether or not to build a new church. The present building was in need of repairs and a problem to heat because of its high ceiling. It would have been hard to cool if there had been such a thing as air conditioning! Air conditioning back then was cardboard fans from the funeral home. Also parking space was limited and there was no room to expand. When the vote was taken on whether or not to build, the vote was 100% in favor of building a new church. The present site was chosen--Bro. A.V. Westfall donated 1/2 acre and Bro. B.D. Robertson 1/2 acre. Less than six months after the resolution to build, the church had moved to its new home, this place where we are today, in a spot less than two miles from the original building. The building we are in today was formally dedicated on April 26, 1964. The past 30 years here in this building has also brought about changes. Among some of them has been adding a fellowship hall and Sunday School rooms, starting a church library in memory of Mr. Allen Butler, beautifully landscaped grounds done by Mr. Louie Raiford, and recently the carpeting and windows have been replaced. The church received as a gift from the A.V. Westfall family, new hymnals, in December 1992. A Community Thanksgiving Service was started in 1986 during Rev. Wesley Jackson's pastorate. The first service was held here by Bro. Roy Thompson, pastor of the United Pentecostal Church bringing the message. It was a special service and since that time it has continued to be an annual event with our church and the Pentecostal Church alternating hosting it. This special service is held each year the Sunday night before Thanksgiving and is greatly anticipated. Forty-eight pastors have served through these 100 years. Some served more than one time. Serving three different times was Bro. Monroe Roberts with a total of 8 years. He served with great love and dedication, a standard that we all should follow. He came when at times there was no money to pay his salary or when there might be only one family to preach to-but he preached all the same, then went home with the family and preached again on Sunday. Rev. Robert Graham also served three times with a total of 4 years. He served as our first "full-time" pastor living here on the field. He retired on August 26, 1984 and we held a special service commemorating his pastoral ministry. Rev. Glenn Flenniken holds the longest pastorate. He has served twice with a total of 9 years and is often called upon to be the Homecoming speaker. And there have been many others that have proclaimed the gospel and led the little country church forward. Pine Grove has always been an active and loyal member of the Sabine Baptist Association and has long been noted for its generosity to those in need and for giving to the Cooperative Program, receiving certificates for being in the top 5 in per member giving in 1980 to 1981. Through wars, tragedies, life and death this church has stood tall and strong. Not because of us--but because of God working in and through us. Pine Grove has not only served as a house of worship where the Bible is taught but also as a place for weddings, funerals, ordinations, dedications, homecomings and all the things one expect from a small country church. Pine Grove has endured three buildings, two moves, highs and lows. increases and decreases, losses and gains but God has blessed our efforts. Only with prayer and dedicated people who loved serving the Lord was all this possible. Today we thank God for Pine Grove Baptist Church and for all those who walked ahead and lighted the path for us to follow. Let us hope and pray that the church continues to stand here in wonderful community and that its light will always shine bright. Perhaps 100 years from now ( if the Lord tarries until then) there will be another celebration here praising the Lord and remembering the Christians who labored here that all may hear the Word and become brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us think of this day not so much as an ending but as a beginning. May we all look forward with hope and great expectation to the next 100 years of this church. Former Pastors of Pine Grove Baptist Church 1. Rev. Myles Washington 1894-1898 2. Elder W.M. Bush August 1898-1899 3. Elder D.S. Sandell September 1899-1900 4. Elder L.M. Cole December 1900-1901 5. Elder D.S. Sandell October 1901-1904 6. Bro. W.S. Clark January 1904- 7. Elder J.M. Runyan April 1904- 8. Bro. Averitt August 1904-1909 9. Bro. Allen Martin August 1909-1911 10. Elder Jessie Fletcher August 1911-1912 11. Elder J.B. Law November 12. Elder H.A. Martin September 1915-1916 13. Elder H. Branch December 1916-1917 14. Elder J.B. Law May 1918-1919 15. Elder L.C. Dowden November 1919-1921 16. Elder Houston Branch January 1921-1923 17. Rev. J.H. Ricks January 1923- 18. Rev. H.E. Chance October 1923-1926 19. Rev. S.C. Self September 1926-October 1927 20. Rev. Monroe Roberts October 1927-May 1929 21. Rev. A.C. Roberts May 1929-April 1930 22. Rev. J.B. Pruitt April 1930-November 1933 23. Rev. H.A. Martin November 1833-September 1935 24. Rev. Earnest Lilly September 1935-September 1936 25. Rev. Monroe Roberts September 1936-March 1940 26. Rev. Hatward Small March 1940-September 1940 27. Rev. H.T. Young September 1940-October 1941 28. Rev. J.P. Stockman October 1941-October 1942 29. Rev. Othinel Coburn October 1942-April 1943 30. Rev. Ott W. Coburn April 1943-January 1945 31. Rev. H.H. Tibbit January 1945-October 1947 32. Rev. Monroe Roberts October 1947-June 1950 33. Rev. Howard Clark June 1950-November 1950 34. Rev. Robert Graham November 1950-October 1951 35. Rev. Kenneth Jones October 1951-October 1952 36. Rev. L. Delk October 1953-October 1953 37. Rev. Houston Tibbit October 1953-October 1954 38. Rev. Evan Burleson October 1953-July 1956 39. Rev. Leo Miller July 1956-November 1956 40. Rev. E.C. Browning November 1956-November 1958 41. Rev. John Wayne Goodwin November 1958-July 1960 42. Rev. Larry McMillian July 1960-October 1961 43. Rev. Robert Graham October 1961-September 1962 44. Rev. William McCollough September 1962-November 1964 45. Rev. Bruce Mitchell November 1964-July 1966 46. Rev. Lynn Jones July 1966-May 1970 47. Rev. Glenn Flenniken May 1970-January 1978 48. Dr. William A. Poe May 1978-June 1980 49. Rev. Elcie Walker December 1980-January 1982 50. Rev. Robert Graham March 1982-August 1984 51. Rev. Glenn Flenniken September 1984-October 1985 52. Rev. Wesley Jackson January 1986-May 1987 53. Rev. Dan Jones May 1987-August 1987 54. Rev. Don Hagar September 1987-June 1991 55. Rev. Leroy Chance August 1991-December 1991 56. Rev. Doug Chance January 1992-November 1992 57. Rev. Burford Cain February 1992 58. Rev F.M. Belsha June 1993- Deacons of Pine Grove Baptist Church 1. John Leach About 1895 2. D.L. Corley June 12, 1898 3. J.M. Britt October 27, 1901 4. Adam Cole October 27, 1901 5. W.E. Gandy May 3, 1931 6. W.C. McInnis May 3, 1931 7. J.A. Wagner (Bellwood) 8. O.C. Leach (Mt.Carmel) 9. J.D. Wilson May 3, 1931 10. Allen Butler June 12, 1936 11. S.J. Westbrook October 23, 1937 12. Norman Herrington July 3, 1948 13. T.N. Forbis July 3, 1948 14. C.C. Coburn July 3, 1948 15. Tommy Dowden July 3, 1948 16. Bryce McCollough June 5, 1960 17. A.G. Bridges June 5, 1960 18. Kermit Herrington June 5, 1960 19. Johnny Hardee (Orange, Texas) 20. Chester Hilton (Natchitoches, Emmanuel) 21. Larry Herrington (Coldwater) 22. Gerald Thaxton October 26, 1986 January 1986-May 1987 53. Rev. Dan Jones