Scratching River Mennonite Reserve
*Copyright Lorilee Scharfenberg
History of the Pleasant Valley E.M.C.
Copyright © 2001 Lorilee Scharfenberg.
Beginnings
The Rosenort EMC was bursting at the seams. Instead of one huge church it was decided that a smaller church be started farther west. All those living one half mile or more west of the Meridian (Now #422) were strongly encouraged to become a part of this new group - the Pleasant Valley E.M.C. Church. Mr. Jacob P.D. Reimer donated a piece of land adjacent to the Pleasant Valley School yard. Elm trees and willows were planted. A church building was purchased from the Homewood Mennonite Church and moved to Pleasant Valley in December of 1961.
The first service took place on December 31, 1961. Mr. Abe J.L. Friesen had helped set up the church building. He died accidentally Dec. 28, 1961 - three days before the first service.
On June 24, 1962 the official organization took place and Dave F. Eidse was chosen as pastor and his brother Nick F. Eidse. 68 members were registered. The church dedication took place July 15, 1962. Mr. Peter J.L. Friesen led the newly formed Pleasant Valley Church Choir. They stood outside on the front steps of the church and sang: "‘Tis a Glorious Church Without Spot or Wrinkle". The first baptism took place on July 22, 1962 with Bishop Pete L. Friesen officiating. Daniel Loewen, Florence Eidse and Annie Kornelsen were the candidates. On the 29th the first communion service was held as a church body.
Interestingly the church body was comprised of 24 couples and 20 single members. The only set of grandparents were Mrs. and Mrs. JPD Reimer. With the years, more room was needed as families were growing. A bungalow was built near the church and used as Sunday School facilities.
In 1985 a new church was built. Building committee members were: Danny and Florence Loewen, Ken & Esther Loewen, Leo & Eva Reimer and Levi & Rosaline Remple.
Outreach and Missions
Pleasant Valley young people used to sing about once a month for people in Brunkild and Sperling area.
For many years, groups went out to teach Sunday School during the summer months. One area was Opawaka School District near Miami, MB. Another one was Columbine and St. Daniel Schools north of Carman. These areas also had VBS during the summer. Bible Studies were held in Roland and Columbinee. The C.F. Duecks and Henry Bartels were both involved for many years. Sperling and Sanford are also areas where VBS was taught. The Children’s meetings and VBS still continue in Sanford.
Several couples have also been involved in prison ministries: Les and Pauline Siemens, Ken and Esther Loewen and Bill and Helen Friesen.
More missionaries are listed below:
Pleasant Valley E.M.C : 2000 +
Currently the church membership stands at 142 souls. Pleasant Valley has only had a full-time paid pastor for a few years. The Youth leaders are volunteers from the congregation. The musical worship style is contemporary. The membership recently made a decision to disband the church board concept and proceed with leadership primarily from the ministerial, which is composed of the ministers and deacons.
1961-2000 there were only eleven deaths in the church. Two of them were infants. These include Linda Loewen, Frank P Siemens, Alvin Loewen, Mrs. JPD Reimer, Mrs. JPD Reimer, Mrs. Marg. Kornelsen, Mrs. Lena Loewen, Mrs. Tina Loewen, Mr. John L. Loewen, Ivan Friesen and Timothy Friesen.
Resources for this article were Sesquicentennial Jubilee published by the E.M.C., research by Ernie and Mary-Anne Loewen, and minutes kept by the REMC Home Mission Board