"This is taken from some notes that my mother, Opal Harrell, had written in 1967 for C.W. McHaney of Union Baptist Association.
     The Pleasant Valley Baptist Church was organized in 1860 in a log cabin that had punchion pews with peg legs and was used until 1910 when the present church building was built. At this time there were over 100 enrolled in the Sunday School. Church was held monthly with the business meeting held at 11:00 AM on Saturday. Church services were held Saturday night, Sunday and Sunday night. This log church was located southwest of the present church near the old road bed and was torn down after the present building was built.
     Some of the early ministers were either people passing through the area or local people. Some early pastors included I.B. Garner in the late 1890’s; Bro. Henry Dixon in the early 1900’s: Bro. John P. Trovillion in the 1900’s; Bro. George Smothers in the 1920’s. Bro. Smother’s home was in Creal Springs. He would ride a train to Grantsburg spending the weekend with different people and going home on Monday. Also Knox Trovillion and Louie Simmons were some of the pastors.
     Some that were ordained in the ministry were: Bro. Earl Guinn, Ulys Blanchard, Harley Jones and some I can’t remember.
     You will note that the church was organized in 1860 and the land was deeded in 1870 by Robert C. Nelson. He was the grandfather of Rolla C. Nelson.
     The deed describes the real estate as 1 acre more or less in Section 13 Township 13 or a part there of which the Pleasant Valley meeting house now stands for the consideration of Two Dollars. Dated October 10, 1870.
 
     This is excerpts from the minutes of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. The dates are from November 1892 to 19 June 1938. Most of the information was under new business. There are several pages that are missing from this book, so there is much that I am sure that I do not have.
 
     The records list Pleasant Valley United Church of Christ. The business meetings were held on Saturday at 11 Am before the third Sunday of the month. Later they were changed to before the fourth Sunday. and then later to the second Sunday following the morning service.
Nov. 1892
Thomas A. Ford joined the church by baptism.
Dec 1892
Sister Sara Whittenberg was elected Treasurer.
May 1894
Motion to withdraw membership from absent Brothers and Sisters.
Dec 1894
Motion to have a festival on Wednesday before the next meeting for benefit of the church. ( There was a note Jan 1895 meeting the festival amount $60.00 )
May 1895
Motion to pay the pastor $6.00.
Aug 1895
Elected J.B. Garner as new pastor.
Oct 1895
Motion to change meeting from Saturday before the third Sunday to Saturday before the fourth Sunday.
Feb 1896
Opened the doors for membership: Sisters Mary Denning, Mary Whittenberg, Gussie McKinney, Betty Abbott, Tom Hazel, Chester Hazel, Flora Dixon, Bertha Hazel were received in church by baptism. Church took up the case of Bro. Jack Whittenberg and tabled until the next meeting.
Mar 1896
Church reinstated Brother Jack Whittenberg back in the Church.
Apr 1896
India Hazel joined the church by baptism.
Jan 1897
called for aid to help build a new church at Cedarville, Mo. $1.00 was sent.
Feb 1897
Motion to appoint a committee for the purpose to build a new church. G.W.Hazel, John Bush, G.S. Baity, Frank Simmons, S. L. Markham, and A.J. Evans were appointed.
May 1897
Bro. Frank Simmons and Sister Dicy Simmons joined the church by letter. Bro. John Evans, Sister’s Isabel Morris and Mary Pyland by baptism. Total members at this time 40.
Jun 1897
Betty Atchison joined by baptism. Reelected J.B. Garner as pastor.
Oct 1897
Appointed a committee of church affairs J.A. Evans, G.W. Hazel and Frank Simmons to contact members who lay out and don’t come to church. There must have been a big uproar
because they dropped J.A. Evans and G.W. Hazel and added Dock Whittenburg and John Bush.
 
 
June 1898
Motion to receive report on churh affairs and to discharge the committee. Motion that we receive a report from Bro. Garner about Catherine Wilson and discharge him. Motion that we exclude Bro. Green Triplett from membership for unchristian conduct. Motion that we forgive Sister Isabel Morris and retain her in full fellowship. Motion that we license Bro. J. A. Evans to preach. Motion that we license Bro. Frank Simmons to preach.
John Baker was elected pastor and Thomas F. Hazel was elected clerk
July 1898
Motion to forgive Sister Catherine Wilson and restore her to full fellowship.
Jan 1900
Granted a letter of dismissal to bro. M.F. Whittenburg, Sarah Whittenburg and Susan Whittenburg.
Nov 1900
Granted a letter of dismissal to Bro. Wesley Pyland and Sister Betty Richardson.
July 1901
Elected J.B. Garner as pastor.
Oct 1901
Sister Florence Nelson, Sister Ester Billingsley, and Bro. Green Hazel (not my grandpa) joined the church by baptism.
Jan 1902
Granted Bro. Thomas Ford and Sister Huldia McCool a letter of recommendation.
June 1902
Sister Liza Nelson joined by baptism.
15 Aug 1903
Bro. A.T. Hazel, Sister Martha Hazel, Ruan Hazel, Hattie Baity, Bro. Frank Whittenburg, Mammie Whittenburg, Amy Whittenburg, Melvin Foster, and Lora Morgan joined the church by baptism.
22 Aug 1903
Nane Abbott, Mary Triplett and John Nelson joined by baptism.
April 1904
Henry Dixon joined the church by letter.
July 1904
Henry Dixon was elected pastor; Bertha Evans clerk.
June 1910
Bell Morris and Gertrude Hazel joined by baptism, Oscar Nelson joined by letter and Sister Missouri Nelson by baptism.
20 Aug 1910
There was a revival and these people joined by baptism. Sister Effie Belcher, 8/17 Bro. Greely Nelson,8/23 Bro McKinley Baity, Sister Pearl Ford, Mary Ford, Nora Baity, 8/24 Sister’s India Baity and Eva Baity.
20 Aug 1910
Bro. John P. Trovillion was elected pastor and Oscar Nelson clerk. On the next day SUNDAY AUGUST 21, 1910 AT 11O’CLOCK BROTHER G.W. SMITH PREACHED THE DEDICATION SERMON OF THIS CHURCH. A collection of $81.50 some paid and some pledged.
17 Sept 1910
Bro. William Ford joined by baptism.
15 April 1911
Bro. John Henry Whittenburg was excluded from the church. Motion and second that we .80 cents to Bro. Mizell to help pay his way to Southern Baptist Convention at Jacksonville, Fla.
17 June 1911
Motion and second that we exclude Sister Nora Baity from this church for non-christian conduct.
19 Oct 1912
Motion and second that we dismiss Bro. Greely Nelson as church clerk and elect Sister India Hazel.
Nov 1912
Elected Bro. John Evans as Church Treasurer.
14 Jan 1922
Tula Hazel joined the church by revelation and Bertha Hazel by baptism.
15 Jan 1922
Bro. Vessie Ditterline joined by baptism.
18 Feb 1922
During a revival the following joined night by night.
By Baptism: Zee Baity, Dee Baity, Minnie Baity, Addie Hazel, Henry Hazel, Opal Harrell, Rolla Nelson, Will Evans, Gathel Bush, Lester Thompson, Levi Thompson, Green Leach, Carlos Baity,and Lura Baity.
By letter: Lora Bush, Effie Evans, Levi Wallace, Vida Baity, Osie Nelson, Carrie Nelson, Dave Austin and Alice Austin.
There were 27 confessions and 23 additions to the church. Bro. George Smothers was pastor at this time.
15 April 1922
Election of three deacons for the church were Bro. Rolla Nelson, Bro. Alvis Hazel and Bro. Vessie Ditterline.
17 June 1922
At the request of Sister Carrie Nelson a letter of dismissal was granted.
16 July 1922
Ivis McClanahan joined the church by baptism and wife, Susie McClanahan by promise of a letter.
20 Aug 1922
Siter Florence McClanahan joined by baptism.
Nov 1923
Bro. John Trovillion joined on promise of a letter from Grantsburg Church.
18 Oct 1924
Bro. Dunaway was elected pastor and Sister Bertha Evans clerk.
April 1925
Sister Susan Whittenburg joined by letter.
 
 
July 1925
Elected Bro. George Smothers as pastor. Following a revival in July the following joined the church. They were Pearl Craig, Leona Bush, and Vera Mix. They were baptized on Sunday, Aug. 2.
17April 1926
Request by Bro. Rolla Nelson, Sister Osie Nelson and Sister Eliza Nelson granted a letter of dismissal.
 
I find no record of church services from 20 November 1926 until 21 October 1934. I think at one time they quit having church services.
21 Oct 1934
We find that a Bro. Williams was pastor and Bertha Evans clerk. Bro. Dave Glass joined the church by letter from Dixon Springs. Bro. Vance Glass, Sister’s Lavern Glass, Gladys Baity, Gertie Carter and Ann Atchison joined by baptism.
11 Nov 1934
Changed the business meetings. They are now the second Sunday of the month after the morning service. Bros. Hutchison, Dee Baity and Dee Harrell were appointed to see about an organ for the church. Sister Edna Morris joined the church by baptism.
13 Jan 1935
Released the committee to see about the organ.
12 May 1935
Granted a letter of dismissal to Bro. Dave Austin and his wife Susie Austin.
14 July 1935
Elected Bro. Louie Simmons pastor of the church.
21 Sept 1936
Alvis Harrell joined the church by baptism and was baptized the next day.
28 Set 1936
Church entered a revival. Sister Wilma Evans joined by baptism.
9 Oct 1936
Sister Juanita Thompson joined by letter from County Line Church. Sister Theda Lou Bush joined by letter from Dixon Springs Church.
17 May 1936
Gave Sister Gertie Carter a letter of dismissal.
19 July 1936
Bro, Louie was re-elected pastor. Sister’s Wilma Evans and Edna Morris were baptized.
17 Oct 1936
Bro. Lloyd Stewart joined the church by promise of a letter from Dixon Springs church.
20 Mar 1937
Appointed a committee to solicit money to roof and repair the church. They were Opal Harrell, Arthur Bush and H.F. Evans.
17 July 1937
Re-elected Bro. Louie Simmons as pastor. Bro. Dee Baity, Bro. H.F. Evans and Levi Thompson were nominated to be examined as deacons.
14 Aug 1937
Voted to invite County Line, Mt. Zion, Grantsburg, Dixon Springs and Golconda to set conference for examination of deacons.
18 Sept 1937
Bro’s. Dee Baity, H.F. Evans and Levi Thompson were examined by council consisting of Bro. A.M. Troutman, moderator; Bro. I. N. Clemens, Clerk; Bro. Louie Simmons to present the candidates; Bro. A. Moore to lead the examination; Bro. Sam Sistler to lead the ordination prayer;Bro. Ordie Etheridge to give charge to the church.
16 Oct 1937
Following a revival by Bro. Ordie Etheridge, Bro’s Dee Harrell and Wayne Bush joined the church by baptism. They were baptized on Oct 3, 1937. Granted Sister Lou Ditterline a letter of dismissal to unite with the Dixon Springs Church.
20 Nov 1937
The right hand of church fellowship was given to Bro. Dee Harrel and Bro. Wayne Bush. They were baptized with a group from Dixon Springs.
19 Mar 1938
Bro. Arthur Street was baptized ( Sunday)
 
 
There were several months that there would not be any new additions to the church nor would there be any new business.
 
MEMBERSHIP BEFORE 1900
Isabell Moris
Almedia Nelson
Nancy J. Evans
Nancy J. Nelson
Sarah Cemp
Maurice Whittenberg
Nancy Bateman
Lucy Whittenberg
Irene Nelson
Mary J. Hazel
J.W. Hollick
William Belcher
Almedia Baity
Green W. Hazel
Sarah A. Abbott
S.H. Corn
John Bush
James Dunning
Francis P. Whittenberg
Catherine Wilson
Susan Whittenberg
Thimas Ford
Hulda McCool
Alice A. Simmons
Wesley Pyland
Irv F. Whittenberg
Mary Whittenberg
India Hazel
Dertha Hazel
Chester Hazel
Thomas Hazel
Gusie Grimes
Flora Grimes
Flora Dixon
Mary Denning
Frank Simmons
John A. Evans
Daney Morris
 
MEMBERSHIP ROLL AS OF
22 AUGUST 1903
Nancy J. Evans
Nancy J. Nelson
Maurice Whittenberg Sr.(Morris)
Nancy Bateman
Irene Nelson
Jannie Hazel
William Belcher
Almedia Baity
Francis P. Whittenberg
Green W. Hazel
Green W. Hazel
India A. Hazel
Bertha A. Hazel
Thomas F. Hazel
Chester M. Hazel
Green A. Hazel
Gussie Grimes
Flora Dixon
John A. Evans
James Morgan
Emely Simmons
Thomas A. Hazel
Martha Hazel
Ruann Hazel
Lue Morgan
Frank Whittenberg
Morris Whittenberg Jr.
Amy Whittenberg
Mamie Whittenberg
Melvin Foster
Liza Nelson
Jane Abbott
Mary Triplett
John Nelson
Henry Dixon
 
 
MEMBERSHIP ABOUT 1910
Isabel Morris
Nancy J. Evans
John Evans
Nancy J.Nelson
Surrah Abbott
Morris Whittenburg
Nancy Bateman
Irene Gann
Mary J. Hazel
J. W. Hollick
Almedia Baity
Green W. Hazel
India Hazel
S.H.Corn
James Denning
Franci P. Whittenberg
Catherine Wilson
Alice A. Simmons
Frank Simmons
Bertha Evans
Henry Evans
Chester Hazel
Gertrude Hazel
Thomas Hazel
Hattie Hazel
Flora Dixon
Emily Simmons
Liza Nelson
Florence Nelson
A.T. Hazel
Martha Hazel
Frank Whittenberg
Morris Whittenberg
Amy Whittenberg
Mammie Whittenberg
Melvin Foster
Ruan Osborn
Alvis Hazel
Bell Morris
Oscar Nelson
Missouri Nelson
Greely Nelson
McKinley Baity
Pearl Stafford
Bill Ford
Mary Ford
Ethel Evans
Jessie Fisher
THIS WAS THE END OF BOOK THAT WAS PASSED FROM BERTHA EVANS TO OPAL HARRELL. "
 
Alvis Harrell family shared this history in 1997 with James Thompson, son of Levi Thompson. Jim gave me a copy and I reprinted this document on 11 March 1997___Faye Morris Bowman.