CHURCH HISTORY

The Pleasant Shade Missionary Baptist Church was established in 1907. It was located on the Lucas Fleming Farm. The first building used for worship was a one room structure divided by one partition to create a special area of authority for the pastors. In 1927, the church was moved to a wood building at its present location.

The first pastor on record for PSMBC was Rev. Cleveland Wilkerson. The next pastor was Rev. Frank Pierson. The third pastor was Rev. R. Berry and the fourth pastor was Rev. T. Good, followed by Rev. Grimes. Under his leadership, a stone building was erected around the wooden building. Rev. Grimes remained pastor until his death in 1962.

June, 1963 Rev. S. J. Johnson was called to pastor the church. Under his leadership, the church was remodeled in 1974. In 1984, the first bus was purchased. After 27 years as pastor, Rev. Johnson retired because of poor health. He passed away in 1992.

After the retirement of Rev. Johnson, the church called Rev. C. L. Green as pastor. He initiated several ministries that were not present in the church: Vacation Bible School ; Spring Revival and Wednesday night bible Study. He also reinstated the Board of Trustees. Other projects were the purchase of the first copier machine, central heat and air was added to the pastor's study, and paved the parking lot. Rev Green resigned in 1996.

In 1997, the church called Rev. Chester A. Hammond, Jr. as pastor. Under Pastor Hammond's guidance, the church purchased a passenger van; heater for the baptism pool; two new copiers was purchased and the pastors study was redecorated. Other improvements include ice machine for the kitchen, two new stoves, and upgrading the parking lot.

The year 1998-2008, Pastor Hammond began focusing on moving from "Membership to Discipleship." This task included forming the Outreach Ministry; Golden Girls Club; Church Newsletter (Christian Chronicle); Sister to Sister Ministry; Young Women's Ministry and re-instated the Brotherhood Ministry. The church has grown tremendously since Pastor Hammond's arrival. A major remodeling of the sanctuary was accomplished along with a new sign out front and the purchase of 5.38 acres of land.

On September 1, 2004 , groundbreaking ceremony was held for the New Worship Center . On Sunday January 8, 2006 , dedication service was held for the new Pleasant Shade Baptist Church Worship Center .

The history of Pleasant Shade Missionary Baptist Church is very vast. This is only a brief summary of the beginning until now of the history of this church.