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| The History of Greater Pleasant Branch Baptist Church 1950 - 1959 |
History from 1950 - 1959
Plans for rebuilding were made and funds were raised to accomplish this task. However, due to
the sudden death of Rev. Williams in 1950, and the disbanding of the Little’s Farm, nothing was
accomplished.
People in the area began migrating to other parts of the state and country. The few members
who stayed held services in the home of the late Deacon C.J. Frazier and Mrs. Ada Frazier.
In 1951, approximately eleven members of Pleasant Branch came together and were determined
to keep the Church alive. These included: Deacon and Mrs. Climey Mathis, Deacon Robert
Tillman, Deacon and Mrs. C. J. Frazier, Mrs. Geneva Veasley, Mrs. Elvira Veasley, Mrs. Rosie
Hoskins and family, Mrs. Susie Herron, and Mrs. Dezzie Williams.
With the aid of the Rev. Louis Embry, the Rev. Gannaway was called as pastor and the Little
Bethel A.M.E. Church opened its doors to the group and allowed them to have services each
second and fourth Sunday.
In February of 1955, Rev. J. R. Raynor was called as pastor of the congregation. By March of
the same year, Rev. Raynor had aided the congregation in purchasing a frame building and
situated it on property the group had purchased on Ingram Street.
After a period of twenty-five years Pleasant Branch now had a building of its own. The building
was in a very dilapidated state, but the remnant rejoiced for just having a place to call home.
And so it was that in 1955, under the pastorate of Rev. J.R. Raynor, Pleasant Branch Baptist
Church was re-established in the city of Conway, Arkansas. For three years the small group
worshiped and made plans to renovate their sanctuary.
The church voted on April 11, 1958, to remodel the inside of the old building it had purchased.
The first building committee was called on July 11, 1958. They were Rev. J. R. Raynor, Deacon
C. J. Frazier, Deacon Albert Wooten and Deacon Climey Mathis.
On October 10, 1958, the Church agreed to take what money that was on hand to underpin the
building and extend the foundation.
A choir was officially organized around 1958. The “charter” members of this beginning music
ministry included: Hester Burgess, Earnestine Pierce, Corine Smith, Myrtis Campbell
(deceased), Wilma Murphy (deceased), and Bobbie Morgan Spotswood. Mrs. Clara Laney
(deceased) was employed as the first pianist for a brief period. Mrs. Jeffrey Roberts served as
choir director.
On February 6, 1959 the church agreed to borrow $2,500.00 to remodel the Church on the
inside. Deacons at this time were Deacon C. J. Frazier, Deacon Robert Tillman, Deacon Climey
Mathis and Deacon Albert Wooten.
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| 601 Spruce Street ~Conway, AR 72032 |
| "Let Every Soul, Save a Soul and Saved" |
| Baptist Church |