As Plymouth Valley Community Church continues after more
than 50 years since its founding, the congregation can look back on years of dreaming, spiritual growth, hard
work, and a lasting ministry that has served the needs of this community. The history of
this beautiful property is rich and exciting, since it was originally owned by Quakers. It
was passed from generation to generation, often housing victims of religious persecution
as these families settled in America where there was religious freedom.
In 1699, the deed to the property was purchased by Mssrs. Fox and Rawle
from William Penn. In 1701, David Meredith purchased a portion of their land from the
widow of James Fox. It then passed through the Meredith family to Phoebe Aaron. Upon her
death, a chest was found in the farmhouse (the Manor House) that contained the original
deed with William Penn’s signature.
The property belonged to Rebecca Altemus by 1950 - a time of community
growth as young families moved into the homes being built in the Plymouth Valley. A
fellowship of families began meeting in Valley homes at first and then in the Plymouth
Township building for worship as they dreamed of a permanent church home.
In 1953, Pastor John C. Myers was called from the First Baptist Church
in Keokuk, Iowa by the Pulpit Committee. The Church voted in 1954 to renovate the second
floor of Fellowship Hall (the barn) and work parties began the task of preparing the
former hayloft for services. With the rapid growth of the community, the attendance had
increased and Pastor Myers said the church began to "catch up with itself."
Pastor Myers, an evangelist with a missionary heart, left Plymouth Valley in February of
1955 and went on to a new mission, leaving a strong Baptist family in the Valley. The
Pulpit Committee began the search again for a new leader to serve this young congregation.
Reverend Adrian F. Mumford was Pastor of First Baptist Church in
Franklinville, New York, before coming to Plymouth Valley. As Pastor Mumford was installed
in September of 1955, he was able to help celebrate the official transfer of the property
deed from the Pennsylvania Baptist Convention to the Church Trustees. He became a
hardworking hands-on Pastor whose voice could be heard leading the congregation in singing
or telling stories. This was a period of membership growth and facility expansion. The
second floor of the barn was reconstructed with most of the work being done by volunteers.
This area now became the sanctuary and was filled for Sunday Worship. A Christian
Kindergarten was opened in the Fall of 1956. A Capital Fund Campaign was begun in 1957 as
plans for a church building were being considered. Creative Builders was contacted in 1959
to design a church to accommodate three hundred people for a cost not to exceed $90,000.
By the time of completion the approximate value of the church was $125,000. On August 6,
1961, Pastor Mumford led the move from Fellowship Hall to the new Sanctuary singing
"Onward Christian Soldiers". The dream had come true. Membership in 1964 was
383. After sincere Christian discipleship in the Valley, Adrian Mumford left in March of
1964 to become Director of the Baptist "Camp Sunnybrook".
Dr. Leslie Eads came to Plymouth Valley in 1965 from the First Baptist
Church of Saginaw, Michigan. The year 1971 was a time of remembering and renewal as the
church celebrated its 29th Anniversary. Dr. Gableman, Rev. Sorenson, Rev. Myers, and Rev.
Mumford joined Dr. Eads in retelling cherished stories at the celebration. The Church was
free of yesterdays and looked forward to the tomorrows as the mortgage was paid in full on
December 29, 1972. Dr. Eads is remembered as a kind and caring Pastor whose sermons met
the spiritual needs of the congregation. He retired from full-time ministry in June of
1973.
A young, dynamic leader, Reverend Lamont Satterly brought a contagious
vitality to the church programs as he was called to Plymouth Valley in 1973. He set about
the task of revitalizing the worship celebration by incorporating different styles of
sacred music and drama. Known as a skilled teacher and counselor, exploring the challenge
of living in a contemporary society was a priority. Committed to the idea of the church
serving the community, the facilities were opened to many groups - Boy Scouts, Girl
Scouts, Senior Citizens, support groups, and a Korean Church. Many social activities were
offered to the community. As Lamont left the pastorate in February of 1985, the fellowship
continued to pursue the Church’s Purpose as stated in the Constitution - "Public
Worship of God, preaching the Gospel, wholesome Christian living by its members, personal
evangelism, missionary endeavor, and Christian education."
Reverend Clifford R. Hockensmith was called from the First Baptist
Church in Dover, Delaware in October of 1985 and installed in December. The congregation
challenged the new Pastor to promote active ministries for children and youth and to
develop programs that would attract young families. Music enriched the Worship
Service and Pastor Cliff was known for his Bible-based sermons and Wednesday Night Bible
Study. As Cliff once stated - "We have had worship, fellowship, meetings, picnics,
weddings, funerals, some folks have moved away, new faces have come, and the Gospel
continues to flourish." Rev. Hockensmith resigned to accept the call to First Baptist
Church, Providence, Rhode Island in June of 1997.
Rev. Doug Baker accepted the Search Committee’s call {the Elder’s
extended the call because the Search Committee was not in place at that time} to serve
as Interim Pastor beginning in July. Rev. Baker served the congregation as they moved
through the process of discerning the will of God for Plymouth Valley Baptist Church in
the area of pastoral leadership. The search process required a major time commitment on
the part of the already heavily committed members of the Search Committee. Following the
guide "Calling a Pastor" prepared by the American Baptist Churches/USA the
Committee began to have revealed what they felt was God’s direction.
Believing it to be God’s will, the Search Committee presented Dr. Rob Henderson to
the congregation in June, 1998. Dr. Henderson accepted the call to the church
to begin serving in August and he was installed in September. Dr. Henderson had served
First Baptist Church Perry, Ohio for eight years. With a new spirit of enthusiasm the
congregation began to look for new and different areas of ministry and ways
of doing ministry. The addition of new technology allowed the church to
make great strides -- a new website was developed, power point presentations
enhanced the service, and additional methods of communicating electronically
were implemented. Renovations have been done to the church such as: the
sanctuary was reversed in 2002; a new baptistry; carpets; windows; and
state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems were installed. Church and
community members were involved in a production of "Jesus Christ
Superstar." It has been performed in our church in 1997, 1999, 2001
and 2004.
In September 2003, the congregation voted to change the official name of
the church to Plymouth Valley Community Church to restore the original name
under which the church was established. A new networked computer system
and an Internet website have had immense value in allowing the staff to
fulfill their responsibilities more efficiently and effectively.
Dr. Henderson retired in December 2004 to spend
more time with his family in Ohio and the search began for a new, dynamic
pastor to lead the congregation into the next decade of growth and
ministry.
During the search for a new pastor, the Rev. Dr. Nicholas Salios became the
church's interim pastor. His loving guidance helped the church continue
in its mission to serve its members and to strengthen its ties with the
community until a new full-time pastor was called.
In March 2006, Plymouth Valley Community Church was pleased to announce the
appointment of Rev. Robert Ingraham as its new pastor.