HIStory of Pleasant Hill Christian Church
Pleasant Hill Christian Church’s history dates back to the 1860s when, like many churches of that era, members met in each others’ homes. Later meetings were held in the Pott’s Schoolhouse, which was located about 1½ miles northeast of the present location- near where the Zanesville Township Shed now stands. After the Pott’s Schoolhouse was destroye
d by fire, the church began to meet in the Tennis School Building. Charter members of the church numbered 12: they were Mr. Joel Crowder, Mr. William S. Allen, Mr. Bandy, Mr. Marshall Driskell, Elizabeth Crowder, and Mr. Perry Martin. Shortly after organizing, the members started planning a church building they could call their own. That building was completed, and on April 14, 1873 the congregation dedicated their church on a “pleasant hill” three miles west and two miles south of Raymond. Forevermore the church would be known as “Pleasant Hill Christian Church”. Later the church was relocated to the east side of the highway just north of the present day Route 108. The church voted to install electricity in the church in 1938. In 1943 the church celebrated their 75th anniversary with a basket dinner and program led by Brother Garst. The building was remodeled in 1946 with the addition of a basement and a furnace. Another anniversary celebration was held in 1953 commemorating 85 years of continual worship. The pastor at that time was Walter Cruzan. The church’s centennial was observed in May of 1968 under the leadership of young pastor named Lynn Laughlin. During Lynn’s tenure, the Federal Government began constructing Interstate 55. It became necessary that the old structure be torn down in 1970 for it was in the location of the future northbound lanes of I-55. Mrs. Betty Snyder came forward and donated an acre of land on the opposite side of the road so that a new building could be constructed in the location where it presently stands. That building was dedicated on October 10, 1971. The church was removed from the hill, and it now stood on a “pleasant little acre”. But on that acre, the church continued to flourish. God led the congregation, and terrific things were accomplished. In the fall of 1991 God led another young minister, Dave Ziegenbein to answer the call to be Pleasant Hill’s Preaching Minister. Shortly thereafter, Dave, Margaret, their 4 year old toddler Jordan, and their darling 1 year old daughter Mallory moved from Pekin, IL to a home in the Raymond suburb of Harvel. A review of the Pleasant Hill record book (in existence since 1947) will show that Dave’s of service surpasses Lynn Laughlin’s 13 to make these two Pleasant Hill’s longest serving ministers. Both of these men’s tenure encompassed great periods of growth, and their service has endured them to their congregations for a lifetime. Dave presided over the church’s 125th Anniversary on Sunday, July 18, 1993. Through the coming years, the church saw attendance increase on the “interstate church”, and space was becoming a premium. As the church made plans to expand, the next generation of the Snyder Family made it possible. It was Mrs. Betty Snyder’s son Don, and his wife Marilyn, who donated approximately two additional acres for expansion. With Don & Marilyn’s gift, in the fall of 1999 Pleasant Hill began an expansion project of 8,400 square feet which allowed for a new sanctuary, classrooms, prayer room, conference room, nursery, and the preacher’s study. The church held its first service in the present facility on Easter Sunday 2000. The conclusion of the project was celebrated with a dedication service on September 10, 2000. But God opened another avenue to Pleasant Hill, and in March of 2005 the church voted to purchase 2.3 acres of land with a home & garage, and that expansion allowed the congregation more opportunities. The lawn has been utilized for picnics, VBS programs, recreational space, and special events. The large 3 car garage was converted to the Youth Garage for the Middle School & High School Students. The parsonage would become the home to the Youth Minister’s family. In the fall of 2008 the board approached the next generation of Snyder Family, Jack, Larry, & Randy Snyder, to see how we might be able to expand the PHCC boundaries in a great big way! After a congregational vote, the church purchased 15 acres adjoining our north boundary.
