By Frank Lewis
Just before the start of Monday night’s Portsmouth City Council meeting, Portsmouth Mayor Jim Kalb presented Portia Williams, a minister with Pleasant Green Baptist Church in Portsmouth, with a proclamation honoring that church on its 150th anniversary and declaring the week of Aug. 2-9, Pleasant Green Baptist Church Week.
The proclamation says in 1864 the Pleasant Green Baptist Church was organized by Reverend Butler Harper. Reverend Harper served as a shepherd of the flock to a group of baptized believers for one full year. In 1865 a place of worship was completed and dedicated on the corner of 10th and Findlay Streets. B.R. Reid was instrumental in the purchasing and construction of the lot located at 1421 Waller Street which is the church’s present location.
“The congregation of Pleasant Green Baptist Church has been blessed to serve under the leadership of numerous god-loving, spirit-filled pastors, including Reverend Clarence Parker, who has served for the past 13 years and continues to serve as the current pastor,” the proclamation read.
It goes on to announce the proclamation was by Kalb’s hand.
“It was indeed an honor to accept the proclamation for our 150th church anniversary, on behalf of my Pastor Clarence and First Lady Patricia Parker and the rest of our Pleasant Green Baptist Church family,” Williams said. “We greatly appreciate City Clerk Diana Ratliff for composing the proclamation, and Mayor Jim Kalb who conferred the proclamation upon our church at the city council meeting on Monday. Most importantly, we are thankful, and give all of the glory to our awesome God who has allowed us to celebrate, and continue on after 150 years of ministry. We are humbled, and invite the community to come out to celebrate with us Aug. 2-9, with a host of events that we have scheduled.”
Josie Blackmon, a member of PGBC, and planning committee for the 15oth Church Anniversary Celebration, said they are a church that works together well.
“It has just been a joy being a part of Pleasant Green for the many years that I have,” Blackmon said. “We have always been a church in which the members love one another, and really work together. For this very special 150th church anniversary, the committee has continued to embrace the spirit of our church motto, “We Love. We Share. We Care.”
Rev. Clarence Parker, Pastor of PGBC, said he is excited to experience just how God has blessed their church, and anticipates more ways to serve the community in the future.
“As we prepare to celebrate our 150th church anniversary, I am excited about how God has kept, blessed, and used this small congregation of believers to make such a huge impact on our community,” Parker said. “And I’m excited about what he desires to do in the days, weeks, months and years to come, as it relates to the opportunity for us to make a difference for the cause of Christ. We want to invite the entire community to come out and join us during our special time of celebration and praise to our great God.”
PGBC 150th Church Anniversary lineup of events include the following:
Sunday, Aug. 2, -Kick off with a Tree Planting immediately following Morning Worship Service at 11 a.m. The showing of Christian film, ‘God’s Not Dead’ at 6 p.m. at the 14th Street Community Center.
Wednesday, Aug. 5 – The showing of the Christian film, ‘Do You Believe?’ at 8 p.m. on the parking lot of PGBC
Friday, Aug. 7 – Silver and Gold Gospel Jubilee, dinner and music to be held at Shawnee State University Ballroom at 6 p.m. (tickets required) featuring Gospel recording artist, Keith Brown.
Saturday, Aug. 8 – ‘Praise in the Park’ in Bannon Park from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. to feature a host of talent from local artists, special guest, Dr. A. Charles Ware, President of Crossroads Bible College. There will also be a softball game, free food and vendors, and a variety of activities.
Sunday, Aug. 9 – Anniversary Service Morning Worship at PGBC at 11 a.m. guest speaker, Dr. A. Charles Ware.
Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewis.
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Portsmouth Mayor Jim Kalb (right) reads a proclamation declaring the week of Aug. 2-9 Pleasant Green Baptist Church week honoring their 150th anniversary. Receiving the proclamation on behalf of the church is Portia Williams, a minister at Pleasant Green.
