Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Historical Marker Unveiling

The Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Pastor Eugene Thomas, Jr. and Officers, Church Family and Friends shown at their unveiling Service for their Historical Marker celebrating their 153 years in existence.

This Historical Event was held at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Darlington, SC on September 18,2022.

The Unveiling Ceremony was held after regular service with Pastor Eugene Thomas, Jr. delivering the prayer of consecration and dedication.

The Pleasant Grove Baptist Church has had only 6 Pastors in their 153 years of existence.

Pleasant Baptist Church was organized August 18, 1869 by Reverend Daniel Jesse shortly after the Civil War.

After Rev. Jesse's death in 1893, Dr. D. M. Pearce filled the ministerial position at Pleasant Grove, after Dr. Pearce's passing in 1897, Dr. Edward Ham of Timmonsville, SC then filled the vacant pastoral position. He remained with the church for about forty-two years (1897-1939) before responsibilties were assumed by his son, the Rev. Dr. Frank Ham.

Rev. Dr. Ham devoted 49 years of his life to Pleasant Grove before being called home. Rev. Dr. Frank Ham was a graduate of Morris College in Sumter, SC. The church is eternally grateful to the Rev. Willie T. Lee for his untiring service during the interior between pastors.

The Reverend Henry B. Peoples became the fifth pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in 1988.

From August 1995 until December 1996, the church was without a pastor. The Reverend Eugene Thomas, Jr became the sixth pastor on January 5, 1997 and preached his first sermon on February 2, 1997. Pastor Thomas has remained the pastor of this great and historic church until this present date.

It has truly been God's amazing grace that has kept Pleasant Grove Baptist Church together and a vessel to which we can continue to pour out God's blessings and has enabled this church to keep moving upward and forward.

Our Parents Built "The Grove" on a solid foundation.

The unveiling service included local dignitaries such as Representative Robert Williams and Mr. Brian Gandy, Darlington County Historical Commission Director, and Mr.Bill Segars, noted Darlington SC historian.

The Unveiling Ceremony was concluded by prayer of dedication and consecration and the Unveiling by Pleasant Grove Baptist Church's Pastor, Church Mother, Mrs. Mary Moses, Church Father, Mr.Thomas Bull, and youth as this indenture of history was launched. Pleasant Grove Baptist Church will be eternally grateful to Dr.Bobby Donaldson for his untiring service in the research of the church's history.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church has sent many leaders into the local, state and national levels of various professions and arenas.