Our History...
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations; ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. ~Deuteronomy 32:7~ |
On April 9, 1944, a group of people from Oak Ridge Baptist Church saw a need for a Baptist Church in our area. These men, Rev. John H. Connell, Pastor of Oak Ridge; and Hubert Honeycutt, met to discuss organization of a future church. Revival services were held in a brush arbor, beginning August 7, 1944, by the Rev. John H. Connell, in which eight souls were saved and numerous souls rededicated for service. A name was needed for the Church. Each member wrote their suggestion down and place it in a hat for a drawing. The name drawn was “Pine Grove Baptist Sunday School”. It was later changed to “Pine Grove Baptist Church”. The Sunday School Officers were George Honeycutt, Superintendent; Grace Braswell, Secretary; and Mrs. G. C. Hagler, Treasurer. On September 10, 1944, Pine Grove Baptist Church was fully organized by Rev. Connell and Rev. J. W. Phillips. Rev. Phillips supplied as pastor until a pastor was called. The church officers were S. F. Ritch, Clerk; Grace Braswell, Assistant Clerk; Mrs. G. C. Hagler, Treasurer; and S. F. Ritch and H. P. Braswell, Deacons. Prior to this time, the building located on the lot (presently the parking lot) was purchased from Rocky River Nazarene Church for the sum of $200.00. The land belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Ode Fink and was later donated to the church by the Fink family. Mr. Ode Fink was the first to be buried in the church cemetery.
On October 23, 1947, Rev. R. B. Lisk was called as pastor. Under his leadership, the present building was built, more property was bought and land was donated. In August, 1965, the Education Building was built. On June 18, 1967, Rev. Millard Hill was called as pastor. On July 6, 1969, Rev. William F. Scercy was called as pastor. During Rev. Scercy’s ministry, the church voted on building a fellowship building. On October 24, 1971, Rev. Melvin Helms was called as pastor. March 17, 1974, Rev. Aldred Simpson was called as pastor. He did not begin his ministry until May 5, 1974. September 15, 1974, it was voted and approved for the church to install a baptistry. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Preslar donated the baptistry to the church.
The cabinets in the Fellowship Building were donated by Mr. & Mrs. Rufus Kiser in January, 1975. More improvements were made such as central air and heat, carpet, new pews and screening around the choir loft and piano in 1975. The deacons recommended March 13, 1977, that the parking lot be paved. On June 24, 1979, the building committee and deacons met and later recommended church construction improvements. The improvements were to add space to the front of the church and to the rear of the church, and remodel inside the sanctuary by removing classroom walls to enlarge the auditorium. New pews were purchased as well as new carpet for the auditorium. The existing carpet taken up in the auditorium was put back down in the Sunday School department. The church also purchased a steeple. In 1981, the air conditioning and heat pump was installed in the fellowship building, and a sound system was installed in the auditorium.
In 1982, our church began supporting the bible class at Central Cabarrus High School. Also in 1982, renovations were made in our Sunday School departments. Additional classrooms were added by connecting the Educational Building to the Fellowship Building. Later in 1983, we tied in the roof line from the new Sunday School addition to the Fellowship Building.
In November, 1986, Rev. Stephen Hicks was called to pastor our church. On December 7, 1986, Rev, Hicks began his ministry. Mr. & Mrs. Lester Love donated land to our church for additional cemetery. In 1991, improvements were made to our fellowship building as carpet was installed. Improvements were also made in the auditorium by installing hearing devices for the hearing impaired. We also added a utility building. In 1994, improvements were made by installing new tile in the bathrooms and the kitchen of the Fellowship Building. A new sound system was also installed in the auditorium and our church celebrated its 50-year anniversary. In 1996 we replaced the roof of the church with a new one. In 1998, we had a sign bricked in the front of the church. In January, 1999, we replaced the heat system in the adult class of the Sunday School departments with a new heat pump. We also remodeled the kitchen of the fellowship building. The church also voted and approved for new construction to begin on a playground for the children. In 2000, a new sound system was installed in the auditorium. In 2001, renovations were made to the sanctuary floor and new carpet was installed. Services were held in the Fellowship Building during this period. The Ladies’ Auxiliary and the Ralph Broomes purchased and placed the cross background in the baptistry. The Ladies’ Auxiliary also had plant stands built to flank each side of the chair box to compliment the baptistry.
On April 14, 2002, Rev. Ray Rippy was called as Interim Pastor and then in August 2002, voted as Pastor. Also in 2002, our church began A.W.A.N.A. programs for youth. In April 2003, a new organ was purchased. Also in April, our church pews were upholstered by Mr. Lynn Davis and paid for by pledged donations in honor or memory of our loved ones. In August, new Baptist Hymnals were purchased with donations received in memory of Buck Little, a former deacon. In January 2004, the church voted to purchase a 2002 Dodge 15-passenger van to be used to transport folks to and from church for various programs and activities. Also, in 2004, a new choir director lectern and communion table was purchased with memorial donations for Jim Kiser and later that year, chimes were purchased with memorial donations for Ralph Broome.
This brings us to the present day here at Pine Grove Baptist Church. Rev. Ray Rippy continues to pastor our church. We still contribute to the Bible Class at Central Cabarrus High School. We also give to the Baptist Cooperative Program and the Samaritan’s purse. We continue to do God's work in God's way.
The living charter members of Pine Grove Baptist Church are: Grace Braswell Ford, Jean Braswell Hatley, Edward Ritch, John Louis Ritch and Cecil Ritch.