HONORING PLEASANT GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

On 2026-10-05, Representative Cleo Fields (D-LA-6) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING PLEASANT GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH" in the House.

HONORING PLEASANT GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 157 (Monday, October 5, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 157 (Monday, October 5, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1014-E1015] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING PLEASANT GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH ______ HON. CLEO FIELDS of louisiana in the house of representatives Monday, October 5, 2026 Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, located at 1140 Pride Port Hudson Road in Zachary, Louisiana, directly off Old Scenic Highway near the area known as the Plains. Founded and organized in 1857 under the leadership of the late Rev. Caddo Simms, Pleasant Grove is among the oldest churches in the Zachary area and in East Baton Rouge Parish, and its story spans nearly 170 years of faith, family, and community. The land for the church's first site was donated by Dr. T.L. Mills, Sr. and his wife, Mrs. Mary Louise Young Mills, who was the driving force behind the gift. It is worth remembering that this gift was made before the Civil War, at a time when slavery was a well-known practice. A small building was constructed, and Rev. Simms and the congregation worshiped there until 1904, when the church was enlarged to about twice its original size. Rev. Allen Governor followed Rev. Simms as pastor, and over the years the congregation elected several other pastors, including Rev. Sam Watkins, Rev. T.D. Smith, Rev. Dan Williams, and Rev. Rivers Johnson, with Rev. Watkins and Rev. Johnson each elected twice. Pleasant Grove's history is closely tied to the education of Black children in the community. Under Rev. Johnson's leadership, the old church was moved to the site of the former Mills Rosenwald School, which stood on land also donated by the Mills family. Rosenwald schools were established so that Black children could receive a free education, an effort that grew out of the vision of Booker T. Washington and the financial support of Julius Rosenwald. In the late 1940s, the Mills family [[Page E1015]] and the members of Pleasant Grove made an even exchange of property, and the congregation began worshiping in the old school building, which was in better condition than the church, as neighborhood children moved on to the newly built Northwestern High School. The current church remains on that property and was rebuilt in 1960 while Rev. Johnson was still pastor. He served until his failing eyesight forced his retirement, supported by associate pastors Rev. Joe Thomas and Rev. Arthur Brown, Sr., who served until their deaths. Rev. Lucious O'Connor, who united with the church in the late 1940s and later organized its first choir, along with many choirs throughout the Zachary, Port Hudson, and Ethel areas, became pastor in 1963. The church's cornerstone was laid in 1974 by the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, with Ulysses Morgan serving as chairperson of the Deacons and Sis. Louise Brown Thomas as chairman of the Deaconess Board. Under Rev. O'Connor, the church was renovated several times, began holding Vacation Bible School for all of the community's children each summer, and established weekly Bible study. An outdoor baptismal pool was built in the early 1970s, and renovations in the early 1980s added an inside baptismal pool, new pews, an improved rear of the church, and a paved parking lot. Rev. O'Connor resigned in 1996 after many years of service. In 1997, Rev. Norwood C. Booker, Jr. was elected pastor, and for the first time Pleasant Grove began holding worship services every Sunday. He served faithfully until his untimely death in March 2011, and under his leadership the church became more financially stable. In January 2012, Rev. Dennis Lawrence was elected pastor. Guided by its mission statement, ``We are a spiritual team striving for excellence through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, realizing that no one is perfect, yet continuously striving,'' the congregation improved its annex and sanctuary during his tenure, including replacing all of the sanctuary's light fixtures. In 2019, the Mills family and the church renegotiated their land agreement, allowing the church to remain at its present site with an additional 80 square feet donated by the Mills family. The end of 2019 and the start of 2020 brought a season of deep grief, as the church lost several beloved and faithful servants: Sis. Marie Jones, a loyal deaconess; Sis. Rosemary Duncan, a longtime usher; Sis. Juanita Thomas Hill, song leader and president of the choir; and Sis. Beulah Rene Richardson Collins, also a devoted usher. Then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, and beginning in March 2020 the congregation worshipped together every Sunday by conference call, with Sunday school at 7 a.m. and worship at 8 a.m. The congregation persevered, and in 2021 it undertook the remodeling and reconstruction of the church's walls and roof, with all services continuing by call during construction. The first official Sunday back in the church was held in the first week of August 2022. In January 2024, the church selected Rev. Chad Cooper as its pastor, and he was installed and ordained at Pleasant Grove on March 9, 2024. Pastor Cooper began his leadership by encouraging the congregation to reach one more person, a reminder of the church's purpose of discipleship. Today, Pleasant Grove holds Sunday school every Sunday, worship on first Sundays, Holy Communion on third Sundays, and Bible study every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., and under Pastor Cooper's leadership the deacon board completed needed work on the inside baptismal pool and the handicap ramp. Known through the generations as a family-oriented church with close community ties, Pleasant Grove has seen its membership change over the years, but its faith has not. As the congregation sings, ``What a Great God We Serve,'' knowing that God is still in control. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Pastor Chad Cooper, and the dedicated congregation for more than 168 years of faith, perseverance, and service to the Zachary community. May Pleasant Grove continue to march on for generations to come. ____________________