Chapter Thirty-One

Marion County Churches

by Mrs. Bernice Johnson

Baptist Churches

Bruno Baptist Church (Pleasant Hill Baptist)

Page 485-487

Written by Mrs. R. W. (Ethel Angel) Elam

The Pleasant Hill Baptist Church was organized in 1871 in a little log school house with a huge fireplace for heat, and split logs for seats. It was located on a hill west of the little village of Bruno on Hampton Creek in Marion County.

Early pastors were J. R. Pennington, H. L. Sasser, J. C. Cooper. Active families were Mclntire, Cash, Casey, Atkins, Fishers, and others cannot be named helped promote this little church. A few years later a school building was erected in the valley on the east side of Hampton Creek, and the place of worship was moved to this place.

In 1883 the church reported a membership of 35; in 1888 the membership had grown to 147. This was the largest number given that year in the Association. H. L. Sasser was pastor and he served for many years.

In the meantime, the Methodist brethren had erected a building on the west side of Hampton Creek, and gave the Baptists the privilege of holding revivals in their building in order to accommodate the crowd attending. In 1894 H. L. Sasser held a revival at this place and a large number was saved; one was the writer at the age of 14 years.

The church had many problems and difficulties to overcome but, with untiring efforts of a few faithful members, it survived. In 1900 John Angel a deacon and pillar of the church, donated a plot of ground and, with the help of dedicated members as to finance and labor, built the first church house the Baptists owned. Before the completion of this building in 1901, Brother Angel was called to his reward on February 20. His obituary is on record in the history of the White River Association.

Elder Sasser resigned as pastor in February 1902 and moved to Missouri where he died. In September 1903 J. G. Walker was called as pastor; T. W. DePriest was the church clerk.

Pastors from 1903 until 1942 were: T. L. Thompson, J. W Coker, W. D. Collins, N. F. Bradley, J. B. Rose, Ernest Rose, Lee Carson, W. H. McCuistion, W. B. O'Neal and others. T. W. DePriest served as church clerk from 1895 to 1905; A. D. Morgan served from 1905 to 1908; those serving as clerk from 1908 until 1942 were: L. W. Angel, J. F. Elam, F. M. Angel and H. L. Stanley.

In 1941 the old building which had served the church for 40 years was torn down, and a new building, 26' x 40' was erected on the same ground. In April 1942 Elmer Cox preached the dedicatory sermon. The pastor was Claude Crigler and the church clerk was C. 0. Nanny.

In August 1942 Allen McCurry assisted our pastor in our first revival in the new building. The results were 16 professions of faith, and 15 additions to the church. Nine adult men professed faith: namely, R. E. Keeter, Jim Hudson, Garland Ogden, Omer Gray, Carl Burleson, Carl Gann, Kelley Stonecipher, Ulis McEntire, and Alton Massey. This was a great revival!

Brother Crigler continued as pastor until he was selected as District Missionary. Claude Nanny served as clerk for 21 years and was replaced by Jim Hudson. Brother S. W. Wilkerson was called to pastor the church in 1948 and resigned in 1952. J. F. Richardson was pastor for one year, then Roy Dunn served as pastor from 1954 to 1958. During his ministry classrooms were added to the building. Mrs. G. W. Robinson was church clerk.

In 1959 Glen Hicks accepted a call to pastor and, under his leadership, a mission church was established at Eros. The name Pleasant Hill was changed to Bruno Baptist Church. A vestibule was added; and the aisle and sanctuary were carpeted in memory of R. W. Elam who had served 50 years as a deacon of the church. Bro. Hicks resigned in 1963. Mrs. Dee Heath served as church clerk from 1959 to 1963.

In 1965 Otha McCracken was the pastor. During his ministry new pews were installed and the interior of the building was painted. The church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1971. Brother McCracken served as pastor until his death in 1972. He was a dedicated pastor, loved and respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Dale Palmer served as church clerk from 1965 until the present time. David Hill became the pastor in 1972 and is still serving the church. The deacons are: Louie B. Pannel, Tommy Johnson, Howard King, and Jim Hudson. The families that keep the work going at the Eros Mission are: Lowery, Heath, Pannel, Harris, and many others.

This church has grown from a log cabin to a modern building with central heat and air conditioning, a kitchen, restrooms and all modern conveniences. We give God the praise. Since I have been a member of this church for 82 years, I have witnessed the birth and death of many beloved and dedicated members and at the age of 96, I have had many mountain-top and low-valley experiences but God is faithful and I am thankful. (Written by Mrs. R. W. (Ethel Angel) Elam.