Church ready for new chapter (07/23/2008)

To the editor:

This Sunday (July 27) the congregation of the Pleasant Hill Church will hold its last service in its old structure. It will be demolished and replaced on the same area with a new facility designed by architect Dan Rismiller of Union City.

This beautiful old landmark of this community is located on the Jay-Randolph county line, exactly one mile west of the Ohio-Indiana line.

The church building, grounds and parsonage sits in Randolph County, with the later addition to the cemetery in Jay County.

This church was organized in 1844 and the main part of the sanctuary was built in 1876, with an addition to the north end in 1899.

This very active congregation, along with the Rev. Bruce Bryan, after many meetings, lots of prayers and many options considered, voted 88 percent for a completely new structure, as opposed to trying to remodel.

A few articles are being saved for our new building, including the glass from the stained glass windows.

The cornerstone for our new structure will say on one side: "Pleasant Hill Church, Established 1844." On the other side, it will say, "Our Lord Jesus Christ told us to love one another - And so we do."

So bring with you your mixed feelings, such as ours are, and join us for this very special occasion and pray with us that these same emotions will exist years into the future as they tear down their "old church."

Ray Gabbard

Portland

Wash thanks

To the editor:

I would like to take this time to thank everyone that stopped by the Jay Community Center this past Saturday to help support the Boys and Girls Club car wash. Thank you for your patience, your friendliness and, most of all, thank you for your generous donations.

I would also like to thank the following for helping out at the car wash: The Compton family (Curt, Chris, Sammi and Colton); Jack, Drew and Mark Houck; Leah and Austin Butcher; Jennifer McGraw; Chaz Carroll; Cade Vanskyock; Jordan Ball; Chandler Woodward; Daniella Nieto; Brentt Lewis; Adam Young; Justice Nolan and Bryce Hensley.

None of this would have been possible without everyone's participation. Once again, thanks to everyone involved. Here is looking forward to next year's car wash.

Eric Butcher, director

Jay County

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