Pleasant Springs (Patrick) Presbyterian
Church U.S.A.
Used by Permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission
Submitted by : Gloria B. Mayfield
Coordinator: Dolores I. Bishop
In 1869 Leah (Foneburger) Patrick, wife of James M. Patrick, sold 97.75 acres of land to Robert Daniel Patrick. Before she sold the land, she set aside two (2) acres of land near the Robert Daniel Patrick home for a church and school but did not make a deed. In 1874 Robert Daniel Patrick donated the two acres of land to the Patrick church and school but did not make a deed in writing before his untimely death in an accident at his cotton gin when a cotton press fell on him. Francis (Clinton) Patrick, wife of Robert Daniel Patrick, died a few months later. An instrument deed dated October 4,1888 and filed July 31,1889 was recorded in Vol. 37, page 498-9 in the Rusk County courthouse. This deed was made by D.W. Clinton, Administrator of the estate of Robert Daniel Patrick and Francis (Clinton) Patrick.
In 1881 with Rev. I.W. Hill, moderator, Robert Daniel Patrick, Robert Jackson, David Minor Clinton, James Adams Wallace and Samuel Wallace organized the Pleasant Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church; a building was erected on the two acres set aside for a church and school. The five gentlemen mentioned above with Rev. Hill were, no doubt, elders in the Pine Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church since the Pleasant Springs Church was an offspring of the Pine Grove Church (Circa 1850).
The first building was located one-fourth mile east of the present church near several springs, which accounted for the name, Pleasant Springs. The building served both as a church and school for twenty-nine years when they became separate and apart. In 1910 a building built across the road from the present site of the Pleasant Springs Church became Patrick School. In 1953 classes were discontinued at Patrick School when the school consolidated with the Henderson Independent School District.
The Pleasant Springs Presbyterian Church continued worship services at the original site for thirty-six years. In 1917 a decision was made to erect a building at the present site. The original two acres of land was sold to Mr. R.B. Bearden and one acre was bought from him. A frame building was erected on the one acre of land. The building had only one room (sanctuary) in which four Sunday School classes were taught each Sunday morning with preaching services each fourth Sunday morning and night. Rev. W.P. Roberts was pastor at the time. In 1925 after going through proper procedures required by Presbytery, the Pleasant Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church changed to Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.
In the interim period, history of the church is sketchy due to the fact that information during these years is not available.
In 1951 Rev. D.S. (Doc) Neel became pastor of the church. During his ministry the church grew in membership and attendance. In November 1951 he organized the Ladies Circle, which included nineteen charter members. At the time of this writing (1990) ten charter members are still living and the ladies meet regularly for Bible study. In 1952 with Rev. D.S. Neel as moderator and pastor, the Session and congregation made plans to erect a new building including five Sunday School rooms, bathrooms, dining room, kitchen, closets and a sanctuary. With offerings from members, from former members, a $600.oo loan and a $600.oo grant from Presbytery, and the lumber from the frame building, which was built in 1917, a modern brick building was erected in late 1952 and 1953. Joe Orr was contractor for the building this building was dedicated May 3rd, 195*****
The loan to the Presbytery was paid in due time. The grant was paid a few years later leaving the building debt free.
Pastors who served this church were: Rev. Neel, Rev. J.D. Helpenstell, retired Methodist Minister serving by permission of Presbytery, Rev. R.R. Rives, and Rev. Ted Foote, serving as stated supply.
On Sunday night, July 28th, 1986 the Pleasant Springs Church burned with fire of undetermined origin.
Since insurance on the building was inadequate to rebuild, offerings from members, from former members, from other churches in the Presbytery, and from churches of other denominations in the vicinity, a new building was erected and dedicated May 3rd 1987. Kenneth Orr was contractor for this building.
Rev. Ted Foote, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Henderson, is presently serving a Stated Supply for the church. The building is located on Farm to Market Road 1798 between Brachfield and Pinehill.
The history of the different buildings, though incomplete, can be written: the history of the church, however, can never be written. Each person who has been a part of this church still has a part of it that he will always have - memories of fellowship, love and an abiding love of Jesus Christ and faith in Almighty God. By Carrie Patrick