Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

“A church born from gum trees,” the old-timer whispered, squinting at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. “Can you believe it?” Right here, beneath the Las Vegas sun, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church has stood for over 150 years. It began not in a grand hall, but in the shade of a gum tree grove on land donated by R.R. Applewhite. The year was 1872, and fourteen souls, seeking a spiritual home closer than the distant Friendship Baptist Church, formed Pleasant Grove. They named their fledgling church after one of their founders, Pleasant Smith, and the very trees that sheltered their first prayers. Their first church building was a humble log cabin, its floor packed dirt, a far cry from the carpeted floors of today’s Pleasant Grove. Think of those early members, driving wagon trains or walking miles to attend services at other churches before their own was built. The founding men, Pleasant Smith, E.T. Young, J.M. Byrd, and R.E. Smith, initially held prayer meetings in their homes. Their first pastor, Thomas Jefferson Hutson, guided their spiritual journey. As the church grew, a new building was needed. In 1901, a structure costing $800 replaced the log cabin. This second building had a unique reminder in its “Amen Corner,” a sign reading, “Please don’t spit on the floor.” Imagine the men and women entering through separate doors, the green shutters framing the windows. This building was eventually replaced in 1916, and again in 1955, leading to the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church we see today. Pleasant Grove has witnessed remarkable events in American history, from the Great Depression to the COVID-19 pandemic. The church minutes reflect the impact of COVID-19. Transactions stalled, and activities were limited. Communion was delivered to homes, funerals were graveside services, and even when the sanctuary reopened, social distancing was practiced. The church persevered through it all. Today, Pleasant Grove continues to thrive. In December 2022, Pastor Mike Carr took the helm. In his short tenure, the church has seen renewed growth and a focus on community outreach, particularly to the elderly. From a grove of gum trees to a thriving community hub, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church continues its mission of faith and service. The church’s cemetery holds veterans from the Civil War, World War I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and members of the Mississippi National Guard, a silent testament to the long history of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in this community.