Reverend Bill Davis Restores A Beautiful Gothic Church
Purchased In February 2000, the
pastor and founder of Overshadowed Ministries, Reverend William Davis, rescued this
historical gothic influenced, church. Since its abandonment as a church, this building
suffered many indignities and needed much restoration. It was built in 1890 as the
Pleasant Valley Methodist Episcopal Church.
The building was designed in the Queen
Anne style and exemplifies the typical rural American church from the latter years
of the Nineteenth century.
A principal window expressed the religious
nature of these historic churches, either with a Romanesque rounded arch or as seen
here with a gothic pointed arch. This beautiful elongated gothic window is centered
in the front gable with its support muntins forming multiple interlacing arches
at the top. Two slender side windows each of two double-hung sashes complete the
picture for this beautiful stained glass window.
The church is set on a high stone foundation
and the first story is faced with horizontal shiplap siding. The lower part of the
gable has vertical boards while the apex of the gable is covered in small wood panels
with carved centers.
The square tower, which contains the main entrance, was reconstructed shortly after the purchase of the building.
Framing the entry door are plain wood
piers with bold inscrolled console brackets supporting a tall projecting triangular
pediment of vertical boards. On each of the two outside walls of the lower tower
there is a small rectangular horizontal window, each with a narrow architectural
pediment. On each side of the tower’s upper extension there is a double opening
with louvers and more architectural pediments. With the authenticity of the new tower,
and so many of the buildings original characteristics, the historical value of this
beautiful gothic influenced church is delightful to see.
However, the most exuberant architectural
expression is found in the cross-gable of the original Sunday-school wing. Resting
on the lower cornice is a split half-round lunette window with radiating muntins,
in the then-new Colonial Revival style. This beautiful window frames a center panel,
which has six square molded sections. The two sets of double-hung windows completed
the former Sunday school room with an open sunny feeling. The exterior has been painted
in various ways throughout the years but is most often remembered as being white.
Upon entering the tower, a small, brightly decorated
foyer welcomes you. The original structure consisted of a large rectangular sanctuary
to the right and a Sunday-school wing ahead. The former Sunday-school wing is now
a wonderful large gathering room for greeting friends and visitors. This room is
furnished with the charm and elegance that the style of this beautiful church must
have known over a hundred years ago.
The renovation of the basement has now made room for two large classrooms as well as a banquet room and a large kitchen.
An area was added to the west side of the original structure fifty years ago. It has now been divided into an office, nursery and a conference room. Two restrooms were added to this space in 2004 when the Sanctuary was enlarged.
A tremendous amount of restoration has taken place in the Sanctuary.
The new twenty-four foot section across the north side of the building also provides a large platform for the organ, piano and baptismal as well as the pulpit. Dividing the platform from the rest of the sanctuary is an altar for kneeling.
The ceiling is unique with its high
arch and the new frosted globe chandeliers are reminiscent of the early nineteen
hundreds. Damask draperies, in a rich shade of cranberry, are hung to frame a beautiful
mural with a gold cross behind the baptismal. Also the three tall windows to the
front of the building are draped in matching fabrics.
This wonderful historical church now has all the beauty and splendor of the Victorian era with all the new modern conveniences that the twenty-first century has blessed us with. God, once again, must be pleased to see this beautiful building full of his precious Holy Spirit and ready to serve his people again.