|
CAMP 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. 
0 Comments
Pleasant 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.  Pleasant 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.  Pleasant 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.  Pleasant 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.  Pleasant 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.  Pleasant 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.  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.  Pleasant 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.  Pleasant 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.  Pleasant 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.  |
.From the beginning in 1823, Pleasant Hill Christian Church has been faithful to witness and service in Southern Alamance County. To learn more about the history of Pleasant Hill Christian Church please visit the link below..
ArchivesCategories |
RSS Feed