Pleasant
Grove Church
Founded 1873
Where everyone is Welcome!
Current Church Information
Church History
Cemetery Information
Annual Ice Cream Social
Other Pleasant Grove Churches
Homecoming Association
Compiled by Donna Jacobs
During the 1920's those who still had connections to the church and
those with past memories of the church, formed an organization known as
the Pleasant Grove Homecoming Association. Their first meeting was in
November, 1928. The first officers of the Association were: Mrs. George
Sowers, President; Homer L. Boyes, Nevada, Vice President; Secretary and
Treasurer, Casper Thompson. Other officers were: E. W. Sanders, Gilbert;
Crim Gunder, Colo; Charlie Kooser, Ames; and Mrs John Hill, Story City.
These officers served until the last meeting in 1943.
Friends of Pleasant Grove Church would gather at the Church for all day
meetings. The homecomings were held annually during these years. Some
former members traveled from long distances to attend the church again.
Church services were held in the morning and past ministers of the
church were asked to return to speak for this service. A pot luck lunch
was held at noon, sometimes a picnic on the lawn. The afternoon meeting
consisted of a program and a favorite time was what they called "old
times hour". This was a time for people to get up and give their
memories of the church.
Out of those 15 years of homecoming celebrations came much history that
has been passed on to the church. Charles F. Kooser led the "memory
hour" It these homecomings. At some of the meetings, gospel singing was
led by Bob Clark and was always enjoyed by all in attendance. Mr. and
Mrs Crim Gunder often were present to play harmonica duets for the
group.
At the homecoming meeting in 1942 there was a short memorial service for
three members of the church who died and who had been a large part of
the church for many years. These members were: Charles Kooser, Ames;
George Kimball, Nevada; and Mrs. Charles Hughes, Story City. During this
service a letter of condolence was read from J. E. Smith of Minneapolis
and Bob Clark sang a vocal solo, "Abide With Me". In 1943, it was
decided to cancel the homecoming meetings for the duration of the Second
World War.
