When Pleasant Ridge was organized on May 21, 1875, there was no church building, only a little log school house on a spot at the back of what is now the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Services were held under a big oak tree in the school yard. With 34 charter members, Rev. Elisha B. Waldrop was called as the first pastor.
Through the years, Pleasant Ridge has constructed four church buildings besides that little log school house. Twenty-five pastors have led the congregation. The Sunday School has existed since the church was organized. The first women's organization was the Ladies' Aid Society. In 1887, a financial plan was adopted in which offering envelopes were used. In 1936, the church adopted the rotating plan of electing deacons.
The first church building was constructed out of twelve-inch heart pine boards which were hauled to the place, dressed on both sides with a hand plane and then kiln dried. The building was said to be neat inside and out with a beautiful pulpit.
The second building, constructed in 1897, was a larger frame structure built of dressed weather boarding and featured sharp peaked, frosted windows. It had two doors on the front. One was used for the women to enter, and the men used the other. They sat facing each other on opposite aisles. This structure was located near present day Hueytown Road and served the congregation for 23 years.
1920 began the construction of the third building, replacing the "Little White Church." Seating capacity was 400, making it the largest sanctuary in the area at the time. In 1949, the church built an Education Building, along with a recreation and parking area.
In 1957, a 1200 seat Sanctuary and small chapel were completed. On November 4, 1964 the church purchased two additional pieces of property adjacent to the church. In April 1972, another educational unit was completed. This building includes an office suite, fellowship hall, kitchen and space for preschool through sixth grade departments. This was the final phase of a long range building program begun in 1949. Rev. A. Judson Jones effectively led the church through these building programs and retired after thirty-three years of active ministry.
In April 1980, under the leadership of Dr. Billy Harris, the church voted to purchase the Winn-Dixie property for the erection of a multi-purpose activities building. Today that facility, known as the Christian Family Life Center, is completed with a beautiful gym, fireside room, crafts area, kitchen, patio, youth room, weight room, game room, racquetball court, and Food Pantry.
In September 2000, Dr. Rick Patrick accepted God's call to serve as the 25th pastor in the church's history. Under his leadership, a Reach For Tomorrow Campaign raised over half a million dollars for maintaining and improving church facilities, including the installation of a new roof, parking lot, church sign, playground, fireside room, security surveillance system, landscaping plan and state-of-the-art minibuses.
On May 21, 2005 Pleasant Ridge celebrated her 130th anniversary with many former staff and members present. It was a wonderful time of remembrance. Today, Pleasant Ridge looks back to a rich and glorious past and forward to a future that is as bright as the promises of God.
