Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, in 1981, was located on a five acre lot at the corner of Pleasant Valley Road and Stone Road: Rev. Harold C. Craig was the pastor. April 15, 1981, Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church had a membership of 231.

In 1875, oral history has it, that T. L. Wood of Ralston, Tennessee began conducting services in a brush arbor at or near the present location of Pleasant Valley Methodist Church. Services were also held in Pleasant Valley School prior to 1884 and the construction of the first church building. Reverend Wood isn’t named in conference archives and was supposedly a local or lay preacher and never in full connection.

From 1877 to 1882, Rev. J. H. Roberts was involved and his position in the conference is authenticated. Pleasant Valley Church was first a mission belonging to the “Obion Mission” of the Dresden District. Organizational members of Pleasant Valley were all women: Mrs. N. A. Parsley, Mrs. S. M. Stone, Mrs. A. N. Stone, Mrs. Willie Hareran, Miss L. E. Stone, Mrs. Elizabeth Adams, Mrs. M. A. Stone and Mrs. S. M. Ward.

Membership increased rapidly during the years of Rev. Wood and Rev. Roberts and a meeting house was urgently needed. April 5, 1884, J. W. S. Ward deeded one acre of land to the trustees for Pleasant Valley Methodist Church, South: James Luton, E. T. Jernigan, J. R. Oliver, A. T. White, J. B. Ward and S. M. Stone. The same year a 32 by 32 foot frame church was constructed and remained in use until the present brick building was constructed in 1914.

The Union City Circuit was organized in 1884 of Mount Zion, Shady Grove, Pleasant Valley, Harris and Chapel Hill. Some years later the circuit was re-organized of Mount Zion, Shady Grove, Pleasant Valley, Salem and Antioch. Sanders Chapel was associated for a short time.

In the 1880’s and 1890’s notable revivals held at Pleasant Valley and evangelistic successes are noted by entries in the old membership record book. In 1887 Samuel L. Jewell was the pastor and thirty-one additions were noted. In 1890-1891, Rev. R. L. Norman saw twenty-eight additions. In 1895-97 with Rev. Joel B. Knight as pastor, there were fifty-four additions, and in 1911-12 Rev. G. J. Carman as pastor, twenty additions.

Though not documented, the first Pleasant Valley Sunday School was probably organized circa 1887 under the direction of Rev. S. L. Jewell. It is recorded that Mr. Gus B. White, Sr. was an organizers and served as Superintendent continuously, beginning during the pastorate of B. C. Matthews, and continuing for 58 years until his death March 31, 1947. Three others had preceded him in office: Rev. J. R. Oliver, J. B. Akin and F. S. White.

As stated above, it was in 1914 the present brick building replaced the frame structure in 1884.

In 1914, while Rev. Albert C. Moore was pastor the present brick building replaced the frame structure. The contractor was T. L. Bransford and Sons and specifications called for a metal roof and stained glass windows at a total cost of $4000.00.

In the 1940’s the neighborhood had grown into a suburban type community and in 1949 a Sunday School Annex of eight rooms and a kitchen was added while Rev. W. C. Baker (1948-50) was pastor. In 1950, at the Memphis Annual Conference, Mount Zion and Pleasant Valley were set apart as a two point charge. This two point arrangement endured until the annual conference of 1956, when Pleasant Valley Station was set up as a distinct charge; the old association with Mt. Zion had endured since the organization in 1884 of the Union City Circuit finally came to an end.

Rev. T. R. Caldwell (1954-57) was first pastor of Pleasant Valley Station after the ending of the circuit. Rev. Joe Heit served from 1963-68 and during another building expansion. More of the upper floor was completed under the pastorate of Rev. Joe Piercey in 1968-72.

In mid 1975, during the pastorate of John Clarke (1972-77) Council on Ministries appointed a Centenial Committee which designated September 7, 1975 as Centennial Day and invited Rev. James L. Bagby (I 932-3 5) the oldest former pastor of the church to preach the morning worship service that day. Other program participants were Mrs. Mary Jordon, Jeffrey Stone, David Byrn and James Stone.

The cornerstone of the church built in 1914 was opened and the items displayed: membership list, beginning with the organizing members in 1875; membership as of 1914; members and businesses contributions to the 1914 building; copy of The Christian Advocate, June 12, 1914; Midland Methodist, July 8, 1914; The Nashville Banner, August 7, 1914, giving account of the death of President Wilson’s first wife. The Visitor, August 9, 1914; Methodist Discipline, 1910.

Sunday October 5, 1975 was designated as time to re-lay the cornerstone. Items placed in the cornerstone at this time were: the original contents; the History of the Church by Lloyd Riley (1962) with update by Rev. John B. Clarke; pictorial Directory of the church; 1975 brochure on missions, Ministry and Budget; Church officials for 1975; Centennial Day newsletters; Centennial Day Bulletin, Sept. 7, 1975; Cassette Tapes of Centennial Day Services; Union City Daily Messenger Sept. 5, 1975; Union City Daily Messenger July 27, 1971; Copy of 1972 Methodist Discipline; pictures of church; copies of church school literature; ten U.S.A. pennies dated 1975.

see also: http://www.balcro.com/pleasant.html