Rev. Evans was called as pastor and served faithfully until 1930. Then, Rev J. A. Armstrong succeeded him. Rev. Armstrong moved the church to 4502 S. Dearborn, where he labored until 1938. We later called Rev. B. H. Hawthorne, who served until his health failed him in 1942. Rev. R. H. Herman took over the pastorate for sixty days when he resigned to accept the call of Christ in Ohio.

 

After having four pastors, the church desired a leader that would dedicate himself to building the church. Deacon Ben Nicholson delivered coal to what was then known as A. R. Leak Funeral Parlor. He informed Mr. Leak of our need for a good leader. Mr. Leak indicated that if we really wanted to build a church, he had a good friend he could recommend. Thus, the church was introduced to the late Rev. Ernest Lee Strawhorn, and in May 1942, he was called to pastor the church of fewer than twenty members.

 

After 18 months, we could purchase the old Phyllis Wheatly home at 3256 S. Rhodes Ave. The membership grew, and the Lord blessed the church abundantly. The Land Clearance bought the community now known as Lake Meadows. While on Rhodes, the Young Adult Choir, Usher Board, and Beautifying Club were organized. The church grew spiritually because our pastor had a vision.

 

Having to relocate, the Holy Spirit led the pastor and official staff to purchase the property at 5765-67 S. Wentworth Ave. The membership continued to grow there, and the entire church became a beehive of activity. In 1959, Pleasant Green held our first Vacation Bible School. It was a two-week venture and very well attended. Rev. Otis Black Sr. was the organizer. He had primary responsibility for all succeeding schools as Dean of Religious Education until 1979, when he and his wife, Dawneller, moved to Arkansas.

 

In October 1961, we were blessed to march to our present home, 140-46 West 59th Street, where the church structure and outreach greatly expanded. The guest speaker for the occasion was Mr. A. R. Leak.

 

We are greatly indebted to Rev. Andrew R. Leak. He was a great friend to Pastor Strawhorn and this church. In our lean years, his generosity kept us financially stable. “True friends are like diamonds, precious but rare.”

 

Pastor Strawhorn encouraged participation in local, state, and national Baptist bodies. He served as the First Vice Moderator of the Baptist Brotherhood District Association for nineteen years and was the moderator for three years. Unfortunately, his health would not permit him to serve longer. He held the office of Corresponding Secretary of the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois Inc. for ten years. He was an ardent supporter of the total program of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.

 

Pastor Strawhorn served Pleasant Green for thirty-four (34) years with dignity until he went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 17, 1976. He left behind a people who loved him greatly-one taught to follow good leadership. We praise the Lord that we had paid for the church building before he went to sleep.

 

The church went into prayer that the Lord would send us a leader; thus, our story is one of continued blessings from God. On October 31, 1976, the church called Rev. Steve C. Chew, a member of the church (one who had labored with us), as shepherd. We are grateful to God for his leadership, for the signs of progress were quite visible. His abilities were well-known within our denomination. He served as the First and Second Vice President of the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, Inc. and Moderator of the Baptist Brotherhood District Association. He also served as treasurer and president of the District Congress.

 

In 1977 the church purchased 200 new seats for the lower auditorium, a 48-passenger bus, and a van. In addition, the church acquired a parsonage and other real estate. The lower auditorium was remodeled in 1979. The sanctuary was also proudly remodeled by the men of Pleasant Green.

 

The church grew spiritually because Pastor Chew encouraged the study of God's Word and attendance at local, state, and national Christian education congresses, and other educational assemblies. We grew financially because we continued to be taught good stewardship and the blessedness of tithing. The people had a mind to work.

 

The eighties brought both sadness and joy. On June 14, 1981 the church had to relocate again because the building needed structural improvements. On October 18, 1981, our church building was destroyed by fire. We held services at South Special Education Center, 5700 South Lafayette Ave. For several months we were only able to have Sunday morning services. However, during this transition, the church remained together. We continued in the study of God's Word, and we continued in prayer and thanksgiving. Members opened their homes so that prayer meeting continued on Wednesday nights. Deacon Charlie and Sister Annie McCray made their home available for choir rehearsal. Mrs. Pearl Young allowed the Editorial Staff to use her basement. The efforts of other members also contributed to the stability of the church. Through it all, Pastor Chew kept saying, “The Lord is on our side!”  We were able to lease the school for much less money than initially requested. Our 26th and 27th Annual Teas and Pastor Chew’s 6th and 7th Anniversary Banquets were held there.

 

The Lord continued to bless us. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Chew presented plans to the church to rebuild on our old site without securing a mortgage. With the Lord’s help we were determined to finance our own church building. To make this dream a reality, every member was asked to give $1000.00.

 

Our groundbreaking service was held on April 10, 1983. With the help of the Lord and the cooperation of a faithful membership, we marched into our new sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April 22, 1984. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Pastor Chew’s motto was "Unity" "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Psalm 133:1

During the eighties we commenced our Alma Maholmes Nursing Home Ministry and the Tuesday evening Bible Class.

 

In the nineties we had our first simultaneous Christian Education Institute and Revival held the first week in May. The Choicy Reed Mission Circle was named, and the Henry O. Seals Mission Circle was organized. In September 2008, the Ardana Anderson Mission Circle was organized. A noonday Bible study and prayer meeting were instituted in February 2009 to accommodate those unable to attend on Wednesday night.

 

We have big hearts as a church. We have annual mission projects that the entire church support. A Give Away Day is held every September, and for several years we participated in the Coat Drive for the Greater Chicago Mental Health Association. Chuck Colsen’s Angel Tree Project is successfully coordinated every year. In the project we purchase toys and clothing for more than thirty children of prison inmates.

 

Pastor Chew retired from the pastorate in our annual business meeting in November 2003, effective January 2004. That night the church voted by unusual acclaim to accept Reverend Ray Charles Bonney as our new spiritual leader. Rev. Bonney served as Pastor Chew's assistant and did for him what Aaron did for Moses__held up his arms. His unselfish service and love for Pastor Chew and this ministry decreed that he should be the seventh pastor of Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Chew was summoned home by God on November 9, 2005.

 

A faithful membership, the emphasis on evangelism and missions, the inclusion of a basic Bible class on Saturday morning, the additions of our steeple, sign, parking lot, and stained-glass windows, and his desire for us to pursue excellence are all testimonies of his strong, visionary leadership. We are immeasurably grateful to him for his nineteen-plus years of dedicated, unselfish service to our church. So it was with mixed emotions that we listened to the reading of his letter of retirement in our quarterly business meeting in September 2022. We honored him, recognizing his contributions, and decreed him to be Pastor Emeritus on December 25, 2022, when he preached his last sermon as pastor.

 

The legacy of internal elevation continued on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Rev. Gregory T. Posley, Sr., who served as Pastor Bonney’s assistant, was elected as our eighth pastor. As pastor and people we are committed to moving forward together for the kingdom.

 

Over these 98 years, many faithful, dedicated people of God helped build Pleasant Green spiritually and financially. Because “the heavens opened,” they are no longer with us, but today we remember their labors of love.

 

This Christian band has had a commanding past 98 years and we are keenly aware of our challenging future. We are thankful for loyal and faithful members and for the joy of the journey. In the years to come, may we continue to carry out the threefold purpose of the church . . .

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To Evangelize the lost ~ To Exalt the Savior ~ To Equip the Saints

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