{"id":2379,"date":"2024-05-30T13:55:30","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T13:55:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/?page_id=2379"},"modified":"2025-01-14T21:42:35","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T03:42:35","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"2379\" class=\"elementor elementor-2379\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38d0394d e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"38d0394d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c9a4725 wpr-main-menu-align-center elementor-widget__width-initial wpr-main-menu-align--tabletleft 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menu-item-has-children menu-item-3667\"><a aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-expanded=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/about-us\/\" class=\"wpr-menu-item wpr-pointer-item\">About Us<i class=\"wpr-sub-icon fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu wpr-sub-menu\">\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3669\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/our-senior-pastor\/\" class=\"wpr-sub-menu-item\">Pastor&#8217;s Corner<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3666\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/leadership\/\" class=\"wpr-sub-menu-item\">Leadership<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3670\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/what-we-believe\/\" class=\"wpr-sub-menu-item\">What We Believe<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3668\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/history\/\" class=\"wpr-sub-menu-item\">History<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-3726\"><a aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-expanded=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/connect\/\" class=\"wpr-menu-item wpr-pointer-item\">Connect<i class=\"wpr-sub-icon fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu wpr-sub-menu\">\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3672\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/contact-2\/\" class=\"wpr-sub-menu-item\">Contact<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-4049\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/prayer\/\" class=\"wpr-sub-menu-item\">Prayer<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5559\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/tithes-and-offering\/\" class=\"wpr-sub-menu-item\">Tithes and Offering<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-3779\"><a aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-expanded=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/elementor-3767\/\" class=\"wpr-menu-item wpr-pointer-item\">Learn<i class=\"wpr-sub-icon fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu wpr-sub-menu\">\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6246\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/bible-studies\/\" class=\"wpr-sub-menu-item\">Bible Studies<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6065\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/2025-bible-study\/\" class=\"wpr-sub-menu-item\">2025 Bible Study<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6077\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/meditation\/\" class=\"wpr-sub-menu-item\">Six Step of Meditation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3778\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/grow\/\" class=\"wpr-menu-item wpr-pointer-item\">Grow<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-4743\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/live-page\/\" class=\"wpr-menu-item wpr-pointer-item\">Live<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3791\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/ministries\/\" class=\"wpr-menu-item wpr-pointer-item\">Ministries<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/nav><nav class=\"wpr-mobile-nav-menu-container\"><div class=\"wpr-mobile-toggle-wrap\"><div class=\"wpr-mobile-toggle\"><span class=\"wpr-mobile-toggle-line\"><\/span><span class=\"wpr-mobile-toggle-line\"><\/span><span class=\"wpr-mobile-toggle-line\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><ul id=\"mobile-menu-2-1c9a4725\" class=\"wpr-mobile-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home menu-item-3671\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-menu-item\">Home<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-3667\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/about-us\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-menu-item\">About Us<\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu wpr-sub-menu\">\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3669\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/our-senior-pastor\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-sub-menu-item\">Pastor&#8217;s Corner<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3666\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/leadership\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-sub-menu-item\">Leadership<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3670\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/what-we-believe\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-sub-menu-item\">What We Believe<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3668\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/history\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-sub-menu-item\">History<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-3726\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/connect\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-menu-item\">Connect<\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu wpr-sub-menu\">\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3672\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/contact-2\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-sub-menu-item\">Contact<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-4049\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/prayer\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-sub-menu-item\">Prayer<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5559\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/tithes-and-offering\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-sub-menu-item\">Tithes and Offering<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-3779\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/elementor-3767\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-menu-item\">Learn<\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu wpr-sub-menu\">\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6246\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/bible-studies\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-sub-menu-item\">Bible Studies<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6065\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/2025-bible-study\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-sub-menu-item\">2025 Bible Study<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6077\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/meditation\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-sub-menu-item\">Six Step of Meditation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3778\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/grow\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-menu-item\">Grow<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-4743\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/live-page\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-menu-item\">Live<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3791\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/ministries\/\" class=\"wpr-mobile-menu-item\">Ministries<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/nav>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f65986 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9f65986\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3cc5a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a3cc5a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Christian discipleship \u00a0is developing a personal, lifelong, obedient relationship with Jesus Christ in which He transforms your character into Christlikeness; changes your values into Kingdom values; and involves you in His Mission in the home, the church, and the world.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68f4b4e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"68f4b4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Master\u2019s Life Series Volume 2<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a906f0 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1a906f0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;,&quot;animation_mobile&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0fed4a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a0fed4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">History of the Greater Pleasant Branch Missionary Baptist Church<br>\n1880 \u2013 2016<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d89286a elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"d89286a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2271\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2271\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Prologue<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2271\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2271\"><p style=\"color:black\">The history of a church congregation is the story of a people who, at some point in time, came together in a covenant relationship for the purpose of furthering the kingdom of God by carrying out His commission (Matthew 28:19-20).\u00a0So, it is for the congregation called Pleasant Branch.\u00a0\u00a0There is no record of a written history of Pleasant Branch being brought to the city of Conway, Arkansas in the early 1950s when the congregation settled there.\u00a0\u00a0Accounts of the people, events, and circumstances that occurred during the congregation\u2019s life in its original location were handed down orally and later recorded when more research was conducted particularly leading up to the congregation\u2019s centennial celebration in 1980.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The first recollection of the history of the church being told were oral presentations by the late Mrs. Lucy Gill in the early 1960s who was a former member and the granddaughter of one of the first deacons of the church, Jerry Vaughn.\u00a0\u00a0Her account and conversations with then living members who had migrated to Conway form the basis for all of the earliest accounts of our history.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Record books in which the minutes of business meetings dating back to 1956 have also provided a glimpse of historical data that informs us of the story of Pleasant Branch.\u00a0\u00a0Unfortunately, at least three of these record books have been lost and their loss leaves some gaps in the historical continuity of the congregation\u2019s story after being re-established in Conway.\u00a0 The account recorded here will be divided into distinct \u201ceras\u201d and will identify the congregation\u2019s evolvement structurally, organizationally, spiritually, and communally.\u00a0The Church, the Body of Christ, of which Pleasant Branch is a part, is a living organism and not an organization.\u00a0As such, Pleasant Branch\u2019s history is indeed a living entity that will continue to grow until the return of Christ for His Bride<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2272\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2272\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">A Branch of the Vine Is Born (1880 \u2013 1930)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2272\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2272\"><p style=\"color:black\">Fifteen years after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865 (1880), Pleasant Branch Baptist Church was organized.\u00a0\u00a0The physical location of this congregation was in what was known as the Providence settlement near what is now Mayflower, Arkansas in Faulkner County.\u00a0\u00a0According to oral historical accounts Rev. Lawrence Cornelius was the organizer and first pastor of Pleasant Branch.\u00a0\u00a0How and why the church was given its name is not known.<\/b><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2273\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2273\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">A Branch of the Vine is Uprooted (1930 \u2013 1951)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2273\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2273\"><p style=\"color:black\">During these early years Pleasant Branch\u2019s life as a church was characterized by weekly worship, prayer meetings, and revivals, much like congregation\u2019s today.\u00a0\u00a0The schedule for weekly Sunday services was:\nSunday School \u2013 9:30 a.m.\nMorning Worship \u2013 11:00 a.m.\nBTU \u2013 6:00 p.m.\nNight Service \u2013 7:00 p.m. \u2013 9:00 p.m.\n\nMembers who are at this writing still living recall that there was no formal \u201corder of worship\u201d and no formal choir.\u00a0\u00a0They were taught to read notes from the Gospel Pearl hymnbook and were led in singing by a song leader.\u00a0\u00a0Quartets were also popular during this time period.\u00a0\u00a0An eyewitness, Mrs. Hesterine Burgess\u2019 account of revivals held during that time reports, \u201cWhen we had revival they had a mourners\u2019 bench and you had to go there every night for two weeks.\u00a0\u00a0The saints would gather around and pray for you until you got saved.\u00a0\u00a0During revival time, the young people went to class from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon.\u00a0\u00a0When you got saved they would baptize you in the levee hole.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0It was after a prayer meeting in 1930 that the original and only structure erected as a house of worship for Pleasant Branch was completely destroyed by fire during the pastorate of Rev. L.F. Fears.\u00a0\u00a0Mrs. Burgess, then a small child gave this account of this event, \u201cI remember that my mother went to prayer meeting and they were out in the yard looking back in the direction of the church and saw the fire.\u00a0\u00a0After the fire, we started having church on the back that was part of the Little\u2019s farm.\u00a0\u00a0The farm was named in sections.\u00a0\u00a0The front section was where we lived.\u00a0\u00a0The Burgess family lived in the back section and that is where we went to church until some man came down there and built the Rosewall (Rosenwald) School.\u00a0\u00a0After that everybody had church there.\u00a0\u00a0The Baptists had church on the first and second Sundays and the Church of God In Christ had church on the third and fourth Sundays.\u00a0\u00a0We all went to church every Sunday.\u00a0\u00a0We went to their services and they came to ours.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0It was believed that the fire that destroyed the congregation\u2019s building was the work of arsonists, but no positive evidence was ever found to substantiate this suspicion.\nThe Rosenwald School building, one of over five thousand which were built primarily for the education of\u00a0African-American\u00a0children in the South in the early 20th century became Pleasant Branch\u2019s house of worship until the Little\u2019s Farm disbanded.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0During this\u00a0transitional period, Rev. Fears was followed by Rev. W. M. McGhee, Rev. Martin Hayes, and Rev. Brazell Williams.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rev. Williams, the last pastor of the congregation in its original location, was assisted by David Wilson, Lunder Turner, Theodore Gilliam, and Milton Turner as deacons.\nPlans for re-building were made and monies were raised to accomplish the task.\u00a0\u00a0However, due to the sudden death of Rev. Williams in 1950 as well as the disbanding of the Little\u2019s Farm, the congregation was unable to build a new house of worship.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mrs. Burgess recounts, \u201cThe little money they saved to build a church on Little\u2019s Farm was in the hands of the pastor, Rev. Brazell Williams.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0After his death, his wife would not give it back to the people, but that did not stop God\u2019s plans for Pleasant Branch.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The dismantling of Little\u2019s Farm also resulted in the migration of people in the area to other parts of Arkansas and the country.\u00a0A few that remained met in the home of the late Deacon C.J. and Ada Frazier.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2274\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2274\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">A Branch of the Vine is Transplanted (1951 \u2013 1954)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2274\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2274\"><p style=\"color:black\">In 1951, approximately eleven members of Pleasant Branch came together in city of Conway determined to keep their identity as a distinct congregation.\u00a0\u00a0This group of members included: Deacon Climey and Mrs. Ruth Mathis, Deacon Robert Tilman, Deacon C. J. and Mrs. Ada Frazier, Mrs. Geneva Veasley, Mrs. Elvira Veasley, Mrs. Rosie Hoskins (and her children), Mrs. Susie Herron, and Mrs. Dezzie Williams.\u00a0\u00a0The congregation had no physical building to worship in at this time and was welcomed to use the Little Bethel A.M.E. Church, located on Harrison Street on the second and fourth Sundays to conduct services.\u00a0\u00a0Pleasant Branch had been a part of the Middlewestern District Association, but had affiliated with the Golden Rule District Association which had been organized in 1950.\u00a0\u00a0And so it was that with aid of the Rev. Louis Embry, then pastor of the St. John Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas and moderator of the district that they were able to acquire a Rev. Gannaway as their pastor.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unfortunately, upon learning that the congregation did not have a building of its own, he abandoned the congregation after a short while, leaving them without pastoral leadership.\u00a0\u00a0It should be noted that those men and women who had been transplanted to Conway, Arkansas were people of faith.\u00a0\u00a0Despite their many setbacks, they refused to disband their fellowship.\u00a0\u00a0They continued to meet together, praying and seeking guidance and direction from the Lord.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2275\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2275\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Branch of the Vine Takes Root and Produces Fruit (1955 \u2013 1989)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2275\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2275\"><p style=\"color:black\">In 1955, Pleasant Branch served as host of a meeting of the Golden Rule District Association at the Little Bethel A.M.E. Church where they were still allowed to worship on the second and fourth Sundays.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0During this particular meeting, the Rev. Jerome R. Raynor, a young minister, was asked to deliver a sermon by Rev. Embry, the district\u2019s moderator.\u00a0\u00a0Neither Rev. Raynor nor the congregation had met prior to this event.\u00a0\u00a0However, the following week, the membership contacted Rev. Embry to inquire about this minister expressing an interest in his being invited to become their pastor.\u00a0\u00a0Providentially, they did not remember his name, but did remember the subject of his sermon, \u201cCount Your Blessings\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0After contact was made, in February of 1955, the congregation and Rev. Raynor reached the agreement for him to serve as their pastor.\u00a0\u00a0He too did not realize that the congregation was without a building of their own.\u00a0\u00a0However, undaunted by this circumstance, in March of that same year, Rev. Raynor with the approval of the church and accompanied by Mrs. Elvira Veasley and Mrs. Rosetta Hoskins, contacted a local insurance agent, Mr. Charles Edwards, and was able to secure a loan from him to purchase a building for the congregation.\u00a0\u00a0Their purchase was a one room, tin-topped, rectangular shaped building that was moved to and situated on property they had acquired on Ingram Street (the property was actually a part of a field that was the dead end of the street).\u00a0\u00a0The congregation had been without a physical and permanent house of worship for a period of twenty-five years.\u00a0\u00a0This event marked the re-establishment and a new beginning for Pleasant Branch Missionary Baptist Church in the city of Conway, Arkansas.\nAt this writing, fifty-seven of the sixty-four years of Pleasant Branch\u2019s history in Conway, Arkansas revolves around the pastoral leadership of Rev. J. R. Raynor.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The rest of the narrative that follows will provide a historical snapshot of those years under his leadership.\nWhen Rev. Raynor was called as pastor, Geneva Veasley was serving as Church Clerk.\u00a0\u00a0Deacons of record were: Climey Mathis, Robert \u201cUncle Bob\u201d Tilman, C.J. Frazier, and Albert Wooten.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Minutes from church business meetings (1957 \u2013 1960) recorded by Mrs. Veasley reveal that Pleasant Branch functioned with an organizational structure like most Baptist Churches of that time.\u00a0\u00a0Ministries and their leaders recorded in the minutes of business meetings were: Sunday School, B.T.U., Women\u2019s Mission, Ushers, Bible Band (Study), and a formal choir.\nFor a period of three years (1955 \u2013 1958) under the leadership of Rev. Raynor, the small congregation made plans to renovate their building.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A timeline of these plans and actions is as follows:\nA formal vote was approved on April 11, 1958 to remodel the inside of the building.\nA building committee consisting of Rev. Raynor, Deacons C.J. Frazier, Albert Wooten, and Climey Mathis was officially formed on July 11, 1958.\nOctober 10, 1958:\u00a0\u00a0the church agreed to take what money that was available to underpin the building and extend the foundation.\nFebruary 6, 1959:\u00a0\u00a0the church agreed to borrow $2,500.00 to remodel the church on the inside.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Deacons at this time were:\u00a0\u00a0Deacons C.J. Frazier, Robert Tillman, Climey Mathis, and Albert Wooten.\nThe interior of the building was remodeled again in 1966.\u00a0\u00a0At this time the following men served as deacons:\u00a0\u00a0C.J. Frazier, Robert Tillman, Climey Mathis, T.M. Logan, Julius Pierce, and Lenton Taylor.\nMarch 9, 1969:\u00a0\u00a0the church voted to add a kitchen to the building at a cost of $1,500.00.\u00a0\u00a0The exterior of the building was bricked in the same year.\u00a0\u00a0An official cornerstone was laid in the spring of 1970.\nDecember 15, 1972:\u00a0\u00a0the church voted to purchase new pews and to begin making plans to add additional rooms to the building.\u00a0\u00a0(1972), and annexing a larger dining room, three classrooms, a pastor\u2019s study, a baptistery, and extending the length of the sanctuary (1975).\u00a0\u00a0The church cornerstone was laid in the spring of 1970 during a special ceremony.\u00a0\u00a0Prior to the work begun and completed in 1975, the first mortgage on the church\u2019s property was burned.\nMarch 9, 1973: the church agreed to purchase pews at a cost of $2,263.80.\u00a0\u00a0A plan for annexation was also adopted in this meeting.\u00a0\u00a0Deacons assisting Rev. Raynor were: T.M. Logan, Climey Mathis, Lenton Taylor, Julius Pierce, Robert Tillman, and Lloyd Hervey.\nMay, 1975:\u00a0\u00a0a final plan was agreed upon to annex a larger dining room, three classrooms and a pastor\u2019s study in an upper level, a baptistery and an extended sanctuary at a cost of $21,750.61.\n\nFollowing the completion of these major structural changes, no major plans were made for any additions to the building.\u00a0\u00a0\u2028The focus of the congregation moved to a desire to purchase land, relocate, and build a new house of worship.\nThese physical changes were accompanied by a period of spiritual growth, numerical growth, a focus on community outreach and the ministry of teaching.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Prophetically, Rev. Raynor had consistently and continuously encouraged the congregation with the vision of growth and of people coming from the four cardinal directions to become a part of Pleasant Branch.\u00a0\u00a0In his words, \u201cGod is going to send people from the north, the south, the east, and the west.\u00a0\u00a0This place is going to be the highway of civilization one day.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0This vision was realized with the addition of young adult couples and adults who came with spiritual gifts and talents and the consistent encouraging ministry of Rev. Raynor.\u00a0\u00a0The preaching of the gospel, the communal attitude of the congregation and their fervor in worship served as a magnet and drew people to the church, especially youth of the community as had been prophesied.\u00a0\u00a0Ministries were expanded and others were developed.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In 1974, a group of young adult men organized a brotherhood movement that extended the impact of Pleasant Branch into the community.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0An outreach ministry was begun with students enrolled at the University of Central Arkansas.\u00a0\u00a0This movement attracted young adults to the church many of whom became members and some are still actively contributing to the life and work of Pleasant Branch at the time of this writing.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pleasant Branch also became more community focused during this period and provided outreach in various ways to citizens of its immediate vicinity, both internally and externally.\nThe vision of building God a house given to Rev. Raynor began to unfold when serious plans to build began on December 16, 1983, when the congregation officially accepted a recommendation from the deacons and trustees to buy property and build a new sanctuary.\u00a0\u00a0Reuel Shepherd was appointed chair and Rev. James Mackey, co-chair to lead this decision.\u00a0\u00a0On April 6, 1984, the church accepted a recommendation from the building committee that outlined a plan to finance the proposed purchase of property and proposed building project.\u00a0\u00a0Reuel Shepherd was officially elected as chair of the building committee.\u00a0\u00a0After much discussion on December 7, 1984, the church accepted a recommendation from the deacons and trustees to build a new church.\u00a0\u00a0The committee was instructed to devise a sequential plan for bringing this project to fruition.\u00a0\u00a0On March 8, 1985 the church was informed that the Pine Street Property had been officially handed over to the church (the property was purchased from the Conway School District).\u00a0\u00a0The Building Committee was dissolved and its responsibilities were given to the Trustees and the Finance Board.\nOn September 12, 1986 the congregation was shown a sketch of the new building and on\u00a0September 18, 1987 another drawing of the proposed sanctuary was shown and explained by Reuel Shepherd and the Trustees were empowered to check resources for borrowing funds to build.\u00a0\u00a0On October 9, 1987, the Trustees presented a report from Security Savings and Loan to borrow $200,000.00 to build the new sanctuary.\u00a0\u00a0The congregation voted to borrow this amount (37 for; 7 against just for the record).\nMarch 11, 1988,\u00a0the Building Committee informed the congregation that they were still working and that plans for building are still on.\u00a0\u00a0On March 10, 1989 groundbreaking for the new sanctuary was announced for the first Sunday in April and Dr. O.C. Jones was to be the principal speaker.\u00a0\u00a0The theme,\u00a0\u201cA New Beginning\u201d\u00a0was given by the pastor, Rev. Raynor.\u00a0\u00a0The Building Committee received a commendation from the church.\u00a0\u00a0The congregation officially agreed to adopt the name, \u201cGreater Pleasant Branch Baptist Church\u201d\u00a0when the new sanctuary is completed.\nSunday, April 2, 1989, ground was broken on the Pine Street property to build the new sanctuary.\u00a0\u00a0Ms. Rhea Williams came forward during this ceremony and became the first new member to be received on our new site.\u00a0\u00a0Construction began in the summer of 1989 and the church marched from its old sanctuary located at 1425 Ingram to its new sanctuary on Sunday, November 12, 1989\u00a0celebrating its completion and the 34th pastoral anniversary of Rev. Raynor.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is to be noted that many among the membership worked to paint and complete some interior work so that we could make the move on this date.\nThe new sanctuary was dedicated on Sunday, March 11, 1990.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The site of the new sanctuary also included the former Pine Street Elementary School building and a gymnasium.\u00a0\u00a0These buildings were renovated and provided additional space and accommodations for both the use of the congregation and the community.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2276\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2276\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">A Branch of the Vine Takes Root and Produces Fruit (1990 \u2013 2012)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2276\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2276\"><p style=\"color:black\">A period of spiritual and numerical growth continued during the last twenty-two years of Rev. Raynor\u2019s pastorate.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The community-focus of the congregation continued, for example ministries such as a Food Bank, a partnership with the Conway Police Department for a park on the corner of the church\u2019s property, and making the use of its expanded facilities available to individual families and organizations.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The administrative structure of the congregation included the following ministries:\u00a0\u00a0Advisory Board, Board of Christian Education, Trustee Board, Finance Board, Mission Board, Youth Ministry, Music Ministry, Women\u2019s Ministry (Sisterhood), Men\u2019s Ministry (Brotherhood), and Sunday School.\nRev. Raynor licensed and\/or ordained and mentored the following men who were called to the gospel ministry during his tenure as pastor:\u00a0\u00a0Rev. Carl Bruce, Rev. James E. Mackey, Rev. Danny Wardlow, Rev. Kenneth Kellybrew, Rev. Lonnie Harris, Rev. Davette Whitney, Rev. Christopher DeJarnette, Rev. Mark White, Sr., Rev. Tyler Cain, Rev. Anthony Hoskins, and Rev. Rudy Patrick.\u00a0\u00a0Deacons ordained were:\u00a0\u00a0Julius Pierce, Lenton Taylor, Lloyd Hervey, James Mackey, Danny Wardlow, Ralph Calhoun, Darryl McGee, Arthur Tucker, Kenneth Kellybrew, Lonnie Harris, Franklin Holbrook, and Carl Harris.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Other ministers and deacons that became members of Pleasant Branch and served with Rev. Raynor were:\u00a0\u00a0Rev. Dowdy, Rev. King, Rev. John Smith, Rev. Richard Walker, Rev. Ricky McFadden, Rev. Kenneth Myers, and Rev. Artee Williams; Deacons T.M. Logan, Elmer McFarlin, Andrew White, Marvin Bedford, Willis Hampton, Clarence Ross, and Reginald Campbell.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A Trustee Board was proposed and organized by Rev. Raynor in 1977.\u00a0\u00a0Men who served in this role under his leadership were: Curtis Wilson, Tommy Burgess, Reuel Shepherd, Lloyd Hervey, Rufus Williams, Columbus Mattison, Alvin Givan, Howard Nunn, Danny Wardlow, Davette Whitney, and Eugene Miller.\u00a0\u00a0Clerks serving as the official record keepers were:\u00a0\u00a0Geneva Veasley, Lloyd Hervey, Cora Alexander, Mary Morris, Charlene Bunting, Debra Givan, and Helen Ticey.\nRev. Jerome Raynor faithfully served the people of Pleasant Branch for a total of 57 years before his death on January 18, 2012.\u00a0\u00a0He was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Cleo Raynor (August 1, 2009) who served as a model, encourager, and mentor to the congregation for more than fifty years alongside Rev. Raynor.\nThe original congregation was made up of freedmen and former slaves who had migrated to Arkansas from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.\u00a0\u00a0During the centennial celebration of Faulkner County in 1973, Pleasant Branch was identified as its oldest African American congregation.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The organizing deacons were Jerry Vaughn, Paul Jones, and Tom Griffin.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0There is no personal data that provides any information of these men or the names of what other families made up this earliest congregation.\u00a0\u00a0It is also not known as to how many years the organizing pastor led the congregation, but between 1880 and 1910, the following men are listed as having pastored Pleasant Branch after him: Rev. Sim Ladell, Rev. Tom Chism, and Rev. Pete Watkins.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The congregation erected a physical structure during this period that is described as being a one room, rectangular building with vertical planking.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0An eyewitness account stated that the building was surrounded by a fence having two gates, one of which was for wagons and teams to enter and the other for the congregation\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0This place of worship is the only one recorded to have been erected in the original location.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The people who made up the congregation were primarily farmers and worked on the Littles\u2019 Farm Plantation located near Mayflower, Arkansas.\nThe Rev. Louis Watts was called as pastor of Pleasant Branch in 1911.\u00a0\u00a0He was followed by Rev. West Turner, Rev. W.M. Drew, Rev. Lee Fowler, Rev. B. H. Haynes, and Rev. L. F. Fears.\u00a0\u00a0The list of men serving as deacons during the leadership of these pastors includes John Turner, Charlie Davis, Mike Callaway, Will Wesley, Silas Morgan, Morgan Grant, John Woods, and Charley Oates.\nPleasant Branch\u2019s early history was affected by and affected events and phenomena that occurred in both her internal and external environment.\u00a0\u00a0The Flood of 1927 is an example.\u00a0\u00a0The Flood of 1927 was the most destructive and costly flood in Arkansas history and one of the worst in the history of the nation. It afflicted Arkansas with a greater amount of devastation, both human and monetary, than the other affected states in the\u00a0Mississippi River\u00a0Valley.\u00a0\u00a0The loss of life in Arkansas was greater than any other area at this time except for the state of Mississippi.\u00a0\u00a0It is reported that Pleasant Branch\u2019s place of worship became a place of refuge for people who had been displaced by this terrible natural disaster.<p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2277\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2277\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">A Branch of the Vine Takes Root and Produces Fruit (2012 \u2013 2016)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2277\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2277\"><p style=\"color:black\">In 2011, Rev. Raynor appointed Rev. Artee Williams as pulpit coordinator after his failing health prevented him from preaching on a weekly basis.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rev. Williams carried out this responsibility given him and the church accepted this appointment and asked him to continue in that role after Rev. Raynor\u2019s death.\u00a0\u00a0The deacons, trustees, and ministers of the church agreed to form a leadership team to provide a sense of solidarity and guidance for the congregation while plans were made to form a search committee for a new pastor.\u00a0\u00a0After a year of work, the search committee submitted the name of Rev. Artee Williams to congregation as their choice of a pastoral candidate.\u00a0\u00a0On Sunday, July 21, 2013, the congregation accepted the committee\u2019s recommendation to elect Rev. Williams as pastor.\nRev. Williams is assisted by deacons Darryl McGee, Marvin Bedford, Franklin Holbrook, Reginald Campbell, Carl Harris, Lloyd Hervey, Christopher Hervey, and Larry Lanes.\u00a0\u00a0Christopher Hervey and Larry Lanes were ordained by Rev. Williams in 2014.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The ministerial staff includes Anthony Hoskins, Kenneth Myers, Mark White, Ricky McFadden, Jerry Doss, Lonnie Harris, and Andrew Balenton.\u00a0\u00a0Trustees currently serving are Derrell Turner, Howard Nunn, Victor Maxfield, James Hogan, and Bruce Sargent.\u00a0\u00a0Janet Harris currently serves as church clerk.\u00a0\u00a0A Pastor\u2019s Council consisting of the elected and appointed leadership, deacons, trustees, and ministers serves as an advisory and planning group for the pastor.\nUnder the leadership of Rev. Williams, the church continues to grow spiritually, numerically, and administratively.\u00a0\u00a0Pastor Williams\u2019 expectation for the church is excellence.\u00a0\u00a0This expectation is being realized through sound biblical preaching and teaching, the addition of relevant ministries, and the challenge to sustain, strengthen, and expand existing ones.\u00a0\u00a0Pleasant Branch is being challenged to \u201cbe the difference that makes the difference by expecting the extraordinary\u201d as her story, her history continues to be written led by the Joshua who has the charge to lead her into the future.<p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88d6ed1 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"88d6ed1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;,&quot;animation_mobile&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8386eaa e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8386eaa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-173d506 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"173d506\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;,&quot;animation_mobile&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a86a795 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a86a795\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3500c9 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f3500c9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23199cf e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"23199cf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea36a47 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ea36a47\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8b55a6 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f8b55a6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2283ef12 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2283ef12\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11f24c96 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"11f24c96\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a79db6b elementor-shape-rounded elementor-grid-0 e-grid-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-social-icons\" data-id=\"a79db6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"social-icons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-social-icons-wrapper elementor-grid\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-facebook elementor-repeater-item-b195cdc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/www.greaterpleasantbranch.org\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Facebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-facebook\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.78 90.69 226.38 209.25 245V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.31 482.38 504 379.78 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-youtube elementor-repeater-item-4e782d9\" href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@greaterpleasantbranchbapti8867\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Youtube<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-youtube\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-instagram elementor-repeater-item-865e452\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/chosgen.gpb\/?igsh=ejZwM21zaGZqOTRv\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Instagram<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-instagram\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.1 141c-63.6 0-114.9 51.3-114.9 114.9s51.3 114.9 114.9 114.9S339 319.5 339 255.9 287.7 141 224.1 141zm0 189.6c-41.1 0-74.7-33.5-74.7-74.7s33.5-74.7 74.7-74.7 74.7 33.5 74.7 74.7-33.6 74.7-74.7 74.7zm146.4-194.3c0 14.9-12 26.8-26.8 26.8-14.9 0-26.8-12-26.8-26.8s12-26.8 26.8-26.8 26.8 12 26.8 26.8zm76.1 27.2c-1.7-35.9-9.9-67.7-36.2-93.9-26.2-26.2-58-34.4-93.9-36.2-37-2.1-147.9-2.1-184.9 0-35.8 1.7-67.6 9.9-93.9 36.1s-34.4 58-36.2 93.9c-2.1 37-2.1 147.9 0 184.9 1.7 35.9 9.9 67.7 36.2 93.9s58 34.4 93.9 36.2c37 2.1 147.9 2.1 184.9 0 35.9-1.7 67.7-9.9 93.9-36.2 26.2-26.2 34.4-58 36.2-93.9 2.1-37 2.1-147.8 0-184.8zM398.8 388c-7.8 19.6-22.9 34.7-42.6 42.6-29.5 11.7-99.5 9-132.1 9s-102.7 2.6-132.1-9c-19.6-7.8-34.7-22.9-42.6-42.6-11.7-29.5-9-99.5-9-132.1s-2.6-102.7 9-132.1c7.8-19.6 22.9-34.7 42.6-42.6 29.5-11.7 99.5-9 132.1-9s102.7-2.6 132.1 9c19.6 7.8 34.7 22.9 42.6 42.6 11.7 29.5 9 99.5 9 132.1s2.7 102.7-9 132.1z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2422ee7e e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2422ee7e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56c13480 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"56c13480\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Weekly Church Services<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35dceb94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"35dceb94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">SUNDAYS: \n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f51147c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6f51147c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sunday School at 9:00am<br>\nMorning Worship Service at 10:15am<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d622b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2d622b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">WEDNESDAYS:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6d93cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b6d93cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bible Study 6:15 pm<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f440852 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4f440852\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-747fe116 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"747fe116\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Contact Us<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a30570e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1a30570e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">501-327-2164<br>\n601branch@gmail.com<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dee375d e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"dee375d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e54089 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5e54089\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Copyright Greater Pleasant Branch Baptist Church. All right reserved.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n    <div class=\"xs_social_share_widget xs_share_url after_content \t\tmain_content  wslu-style-1 wslu-share-box-shaped wslu-fill-colored wslu-none wslu-share-horizontal wslu-theme-font-no wslu-main_content\">\n\n\t\t\n        <ul>\n\t\t\t        <\/ul>\n    <\/div> \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home About Us Pastor&#8217;s Corner Leadership What We Believe History Connect Contact Prayer Tithes and Offering Learn Grow Live Ministries Home About Us Pastor&#8217;s Corner Leadership What We Believe History Connect Contact Prayer Tithes and Offering Learn Grow Live Ministries Christian discipleship \u00a0is developing a personal, lifelong, obedient relationship with Jesus Christ in which He transforms your character into Christlikeness; changes your values into Kingdom values; and involves you in His Mission in the home, the church, and the world. Master\u2019s Life Series Volume 2 History of the Greater Pleasant Branch Missionary Baptist Church 1880 \u2013 2016 Prologue The history of a church congregation is the story of a people who, at some point in time, came together in a covenant relationship for the purpose of furthering the kingdom of God by carrying out His commission (Matthew 28:19-20).\u00a0So, it is for the congregation called Pleasant Branch.\u00a0\u00a0There is no record of a written history of Pleasant Branch being brought to the city of Conway, Arkansas in the early 1950s when the congregation settled there.\u00a0\u00a0Accounts of the people, events, and circumstances that occurred during the congregation\u2019s life in its original location were handed down orally and later recorded when more research was conducted particularly leading up to the congregation\u2019s centennial celebration in 1980.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The first recollection of the history of the church being told were oral presentations by the late Mrs. Lucy Gill in the early 1960s who was a former member and the granddaughter of one of the first deacons of the church, Jerry Vaughn.\u00a0\u00a0Her account and conversations with then living members who had migrated to Conway form the basis for all of the earliest accounts of our history.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Record books in which the minutes of business meetings dating back to 1956 have also provided a glimpse of historical data that informs us of the story of Pleasant Branch.\u00a0\u00a0Unfortunately, at least three of these record books have been lost and their loss leaves some gaps in the historical continuity of the congregation\u2019s story after being re-established in Conway.\u00a0 The account recorded here will be divided into distinct \u201ceras\u201d and will identify the congregation\u2019s evolvement structurally, organizationally, spiritually, and communally.\u00a0The Church, the Body of Christ, of which Pleasant Branch is a part, is a living organism and not an organization.\u00a0As such, Pleasant Branch\u2019s history is indeed a living entity that will continue to grow until the return of Christ for His Bride A Branch of the Vine Is Born (1880 \u2013 1930) Fifteen years after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865 (1880), Pleasant Branch Baptist Church was organized.\u00a0\u00a0The physical location of this congregation was in what was known as the Providence settlement near what is now Mayflower, Arkansas in Faulkner County.\u00a0\u00a0According to oral historical accounts Rev. Lawrence Cornelius was the organizer and first pastor of Pleasant Branch.\u00a0\u00a0How and why the church was given its name is not known. A Branch of the Vine is Uprooted (1930 \u2013 1951) During these early years Pleasant Branch\u2019s life as a church was characterized by weekly worship, prayer meetings, and revivals, much like congregation\u2019s today.\u00a0\u00a0The schedule for weekly Sunday services was: Sunday School \u2013 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship \u2013 11:00 a.m. BTU \u2013 6:00 p.m. Night Service \u2013 7:00 p.m. \u2013 9:00 p.m. Members who are at this writing still living recall that there was no formal \u201corder of worship\u201d and no formal choir.\u00a0\u00a0They were taught to read notes from the Gospel Pearl hymnbook and were led in singing by a song leader.\u00a0\u00a0Quartets were also popular during this time period.\u00a0\u00a0An eyewitness, Mrs. Hesterine Burgess\u2019 account of revivals held during that time reports, \u201cWhen we had revival they had a mourners\u2019 bench and you had to go there every night for two weeks.\u00a0\u00a0The saints would gather around and pray for you until you got saved.\u00a0\u00a0During revival time, the young people went to class from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon.\u00a0\u00a0When you got saved they would baptize you in the levee hole.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0It was after a prayer meeting in 1930 that the original and only structure erected as a house of worship for Pleasant Branch was completely destroyed by fire during the pastorate of Rev. L.F. Fears.\u00a0\u00a0Mrs. Burgess, then a small child gave this account of this event, \u201cI remember that my mother went to prayer meeting and they were out in the yard looking back in the direction of the church and saw the fire.\u00a0\u00a0After the fire, we started having church on the back that was part of the Little\u2019s farm.\u00a0\u00a0The farm was named in sections.\u00a0\u00a0The front section was where we lived.\u00a0\u00a0The Burgess family lived in the back section and that is where we went to church until some man came down there and built the Rosewall (Rosenwald) School.\u00a0\u00a0After that everybody had church there.\u00a0\u00a0The Baptists had church on the first and second Sundays and the Church of God In Christ had church on the third and fourth Sundays.\u00a0\u00a0We all went to church every Sunday.\u00a0\u00a0We went to their services and they came to ours.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0It was believed that the fire that destroyed the congregation\u2019s building was the work of arsonists, but no positive evidence was ever found to substantiate this suspicion. The Rosenwald School building, one of over five thousand which were built primarily for the education of\u00a0African-American\u00a0children in the South in the early 20th century became Pleasant Branch\u2019s house of worship until the Little\u2019s Farm disbanded.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0During this\u00a0transitional period, Rev. Fears was followed by Rev. W. M. McGhee, Rev. Martin Hayes, and Rev. Brazell Williams.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rev. Williams, the last pastor of the congregation in its original location, was assisted by David Wilson, Lunder Turner, Theodore Gilliam, and Milton Turner as deacons. Plans for re-building were made and monies were raised to accomplish the task.\u00a0\u00a0However, due to the sudden death of Rev. Williams in 1950 as well as the disbanding of the Little\u2019s Farm, the congregation was unable to build a new house of worship.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mrs. Burgess recounts, \u201cThe little money they saved to build a church on Little\u2019s Farm was in the hands of the pastor, Rev. Brazell Williams.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0After his death, his<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_canvas","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2379","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2379"}],"version-history":[{"count":74,"href":"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2379\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5885,"href":"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2379\/revisions\/5885"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/greaterpleasantbranch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}