During the course of the churches existence, many would refer to the church and the surrounding cemetery by the same name "East Fork", which pertains to the road that the earlier pioneers had coined and named as the road that allowed for a quicker way to the village of Thompsonville as taking the "EAST FORK" in the road. The cemetery that surrounds the former church site has always been referred to as the EAST FORK CEMETERY and is duly notated on the original deeds to the cmetery; however, legally the name of the church that adorned the top of that countryside knoll was organized and named the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, and on the original deeds to the church it is duly reflected as Pleasant Grove. On one particular deed to the East Fork Cemetery Assocation the land description specifically names that the cemetery parcel runs along the line of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church parcel for further validity that the two were seperately notated as well as named. Furthermore, there is confusion as with many old obituaries, revival announcements and other published material often times naming the place of funeral services having been held in the East Fork Baptist Church.
The East Fork Baptist Church is now a part of history as the church structure that is depicted was torn down in the fall of 2015, as the congregation had ceased to hold regular services. Many that see the image, will believe that the building was fairly new; however, during the late 1970's the church structure was encapsulated with the brick veneer replacing the old wood siding on the old church structure.
Confusing, but in the Kingdom of God, whether it be Pleasant Grove or East Fork Baptist Church, our Lord and Savior knows that once beacon of hope on that little knoll in Franklin County, Illinois, had the one purpose of bringing people to the saving knowlege of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Maybe you need to add a place to send donations, address. This would be helpfull for the familys that live out of state
This information will be helpful for those that are doing genealogy research or history research of the church. Pleasant Grove Baptist Church was always used when they reported their annual reports to the Franklin Baptist Association as well as the Illinois Baptist State Association in which they were associated. Both part of the Southern Baptist Convention.
The congregation of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church was not only responsible for the orgization of the Franklin Baptist Assocation but also several local baptist congregations which still are active congregations today. One church that Pleasant Grove was instrumental in lending an "ARM" to help organize was the Williams Prairie Baptist Church located directly south and across the county line in Williamson County, Illinois. Founded on June 15, 1861, with the elder J.T. Williams, as a participant during the organizational meeting. He served as pastor of both congregations for several years. Glory to God!
It was not until the 1970 Annual Church profiles was the name referred to as the East Fork Baptist Church, however, in old newspaper obituary notices as well as church socials or revivals and even the church centennial anniversary commerative plates was the name East Fork Baptist Church utilized.
It was not until a church business meeting of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church that was held on June 22, 1969, during a recommendation by church members Cecil Wilson and seconded by Cecil Odle that the church's name be changed from the Pleasant Grove to the East Fork Baptist Church. Those records further state "Hence Forth the church shall be known legally as East Fork Baptist Church, church motion approved. Rev. Robert Gossage, moderator and Daisy Briley, church clerk.
Originally formed in the Fall of 1840, as the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church the congregation was instrumental as the first meeting house for the creation of the Franklin Baptist Association which is the local Southern Baptist Association of churches that serve the Franklin County Illinois area.
East Fork Cemetery is a US Cemetery based in West Frankfort, Illinois. East Fork Cemetery is located at 18200 E Fork Rd, West Frankfort, IL 62896, USA.
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