<![CDATA[Pleasant Hill - Bicentennial Celebration]]>

<![CDATA[Pleasant Hill - Bicentennial Celebration]]>Tue, 14 Jan 2025 21:24:14 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[June 11]]>Sun, 18 Jun 2023 13:43:09 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/june-11Members began building a new meeting house in 1881 under the charge of W. G. Murchison, A. H. Way, and Christopher Teague. The new church building was a one-room frame building and was completed in the early part of 1883. J. W. Holt was pastor. The old church building was sold by W. G. Murchison, trustee, for $16.50.
Image – This is believed to be the 1883 Pleasant Hill church building.

]]><![CDATA[May 28 2023]]>Sun, 28 May 2023 13:46:06 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/may-28-2023Rev. Robert G. Tinin served as pastor at Pleasant Hill Church in 1856. During the time in which he was actively engaged in the ministry, the churches under his pastoral care prospered. He was prompt and regular in attendance upon the meeting of the Conference and was a pious and exemplary minister of the gospel.
Image - Rev. Robert G. Tinin 1818-1892

]]><![CDATA[May 21 2023]]>Sun, 21 May 2023 14:06:52 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/may-21-2023The first Sunday School at Pleasant Hill was organized on the third Sunday in April 1871, through the influence of Jacob Garrett and Malcom Murchison. W. E. Overman became Superintendent.
April 8, 1871
“…the Sabbath School was then discussed at some length by Rev. Jacob Garrett and Bro. M. Murchison. It was then moved to meet the third Sabbath in April at 9 O’Clock and organize the Sabbath School. Elder J.N. Farrell was requested to deliver a Sabbath School address tomorrow at 10 O’Clock.”
Image is from church records.

]]><![CDATA[MAY 14 2023]]>Sun, 14 May 2023 13:57:02 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/may-14-2023James Madison Sheridan and his wife Affia Stone were early members of Pleasant Hill Christian Church. He was killed in action at the Battle of Bristoe Station, Virginia on 14 October 1863. Tragically, Affia died in 1864 and left four little daughters, Mary, Martha, Elizabeth and Cornella. James may be the first member at Pleasant Hill who died in the service of his country.
Image – Gravestone of Affia Stone Sheridan in the Pleasant Hill cemetery.

]]><![CDATA[MAY 7 2023]]>Sun, 14 May 2023 13:55:02 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/may-7-2023Pleasant Hill Christian Church 1823-2023
In 1833 a Temperance Society was organized under the leadership of William Albright, Rev. Shubel Evans, and John Long and was called The Pleasant Hill Temperance Society. Twenty-five charter members pledged themselves to neither drink, nor sanction the drinking or making and selling liquor.
Newspaper image is from the Hillsborough Recorder 23 July 1834.

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]]><![CDATA[APRIL 30 2023]]>Sun, 14 May 2023 13:53:23 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/april-30-2023CAMP MEETING SONGS
“I never saw any preacher use notes at any of these camp meetings and there were no instruments while singing. The minister usually led the singing, and everybody took part in the singing that wished to. I memorized almost all of the songs sung in those days. Reverend Jesse Cole would sing “Old Ship of Zion,” Reverend Alfred Iseley sang “There’s a Happy land,” Reverend Shubal G. Evans sang “Show, Pity Lord, Oh Lord Forgive,” and Martin Staley’s favorite song was “Attend Young Friends while I Relate the Danger you are in.”
-Reminiscences of Abel Way
Image – The old Hymn, “There’s a Happy Land” written by Andrew Young, born 1807 in Scotland.

]]><![CDATA[April 23 2023]]>Sun, 23 Apr 2023 14:26:52 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/april-23-2023CAMP MEETINGS
“In I read that a camp meeting would begin at Pleasant Hill on Friday night before the third Sunday in August. A new brush arbor was built, new tents were built, my father’s being in the northeast corner of the square. Oh, how anxious I was for the time to come when we would all move to the campground. The women used to shout very loudly at these meetings and sometimes men would shout. The 3:00 sermon on Sunday was the usual time for shouting to begin. These camp meetings were grand times for a small boy who had nothing to do but carry water and keep the hogs away.”
-Reminiscences of Abel Way
Image – Aug. the 2nd, 1856, a subscription for the Pleasant Hill campground, showing who subscribed with the amount of each affixed to their names. Benjamin Way, Sr., Ira Hinshaw, Martin Staley, Malcom Murchison, Wm. G. Murchison, Benjamin Way, Jr., James M. Sheridan, Alexander H. Way, Calvin Way, Wm. Nelson, Franklin way, Martin Fogleman, John Squires, Ruth Fogleman, Jas. O. Way, Rebecca Vestal, Abel M. Way, Solomon Way, Samuel Way, and Barzilla Hinshaw.

]]><![CDATA[April 16 2023]]>Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:24:29 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/april-16-2023Pleasant Hill Christian Church 1823-2023
CAMP MEETINGS
A tent meeting was held not long after the meeting house was built, the tents being built of logs on the north-west and west side of the meeting house. Later, Hiram Vestal deeded a parcel of land east of the church property for a campground. A stand was built, and the tents were moved and erected in a square around the stand. A brush arbor was built around the stand to protect the congregation from the sun’s rays and most of the seats were made by splitting logs, called puncheon seats.

]]><![CDATA[March 26 2023]]>Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:23:12 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/march-26-2023Pleasant Hill Christian Church 1823-2023

Rev. Thomas Jefferson Fowler preached at Pleasant Hill Christian Church two years, 1853 and 1854. He was considered one of the most faithful ministers, one who spent his long and active life in earnest advocacy of the cause of Christ and the principles of the Christian Church. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Orange County.

]]><![CDATA[March 19 2023]]>Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:21:32 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/march-19-2023Pleasant Hill Christian Church 1823-2023
The oldest recorded burial in the Pleasant Hill cemetery is Joseph Overman 1746-1835. According to an 1817 land grant file, Joseph lived on the waters of Cain Creek in what was then Chatham County. He was married to Nelly Overman.

]]><![CDATA[March 12 2023]]>Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:17:51 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/march-12-2023Pleasant Hill Christian Church 1823-2023
Up until 1829 no regular time was set for preaching except as men saw fit to conduct services. Upon the motion of Reverend Martin Staley, it was decided to hold a regular service the first Sunday in each month.

]]><![CDATA[March 5 2023]]>Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:16:34 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/march-5-2023Pleasant Hill Christian Church 1823-2023
Shubal G. Evans, a young man who was living with Martin Staley and learning the blacksmith’s trade, was licensed to preach in 1824. He became a popular preacher and preached in many places around the state. He served as pastor, along with three others, until 1841. He served as pastor again in 1850-1851 and 1857.He married Mary Nelson and is buried in the Pleasant Hill Church cemetery.

Elder S. G. Evans
Born August 28, 1804
Professed Religion _____
Joined Christian church in 1824
Engaged in the ministry in 1828. A Mason.

]]><![CDATA[February 26 2023]]>Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:10:32 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/february-26-2023Pleasant Hill Christian Church 1823-2023
According to some family descendants, Alfred A. Iseley was ordained at Pleasant Hill in 1834. When he was 18 years of age, he made a profession of Christianity and became a staunch disciple of Reverend James O'Kelley. Two years later he had learned the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. He, among three others, served Pleasant Hill until 1841. He served as pastor again in 1849, 1858-1859, 1874-1878 and 1890-1892. He is buried at Bethlehem Christian Church Cemetery in Atamahaw.

]]><![CDATA[February 19 2023]]>Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:09:10 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/february-19-2023
Pleasant Hill Christian Church 1823-2023
Martin Staley was licensed to preach and was known far and wide for the eccentricity of his character and the many anecdotes he used to relate. He was a blacksmith, millwright, and wagonmaker. He was a man of considerable property. He married Eleanor Bennett and is buried in the Pleasant Hill Church cemetery. He served as pastor, along with three others, until 1841. He served as pastor again in 1852 and 1857.

]]><![CDATA[February 12 2023]]>Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:07:40 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/february-12-2023Pleasant Hill Christian Church 1823-2023 Part VII
Benjamin Way and Shubal Evans were the first deacons at Pleasant Hill and were ordained in 1827 by the Reverend John Allen. Martin Staley and Shubel Evans became elders and served as pastors of their home church.

]]><![CDATA[February 5 2023]]>Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:04:57 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/february-5-2023Pleasant Hill Christian Church 1823-2023
Six charter members began at Pleasant Hill church in 1823: Martin Staley, Shubal Evans, Susanna Tyson, Elizabeth Coble, Mary Murchison and Celia Way. There was a great revival in 1832 and the church began to grow.

]]><![CDATA[January 29 2023]]>Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:00:30 GMThttps://pleasanthillchristian.com/bicentennial-celebration/january-29-2023Pleasant Hill Christian Church 1823-2023
For over sixty years Pleasant Hill Church and community was in Chatham County. The county line was relocated two miles south in 1896 and at that time this area became part of Alamance County. Sandy Grove was the post office from 1826 to ca. 1905.

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