By CAROLYN CARY
ccary@thecitizennews.com

The congregation of 52-year-old Pine Grove Baptist Church is proud of its 120 members, especially since some of them are charter members.

The congregation began in 1948 with 30 members and the first year they had to meet in a tent.

A year later they constructed a somewhat unfinished building and met there, with all hands working on completing it as soon as possible. Twenty years later they added a fellowship hall, which comfortably seats 100 persons, and additional Sunday School rooms.

Those charter members include Wendell and Juanita Jones, Ulton and Ruby Singleton, Allie Mae Gossett and Agnes Brown. The congregation also includes, besides the church's pastor, three ordained ministers who are members.

The Rev. Dr. Ralph N. Kelly has served the church for the past five years.

He has always believed that "the church" is not made up of four walls and believes in taking the church to the people.

"I've held church at a playground, a mobile home park and if the nearest place to baptize is a swimming pool, that's just fine," he said.

The church has adopted Venezuela as the place to serve in its missionary work. Kelly has gone several times, one lady is just back from there, having taught Vacation Bible School, and two members are going in November to help with construction.

The Rev. Wendell Jones serves as the music minister and Zack and Angel Nauck serve as youth directors.

Sunday morning worship is at 11 and Sunday School is at 9:45 a.m. A Sunday night service is at 7 and Wednesday night services are at 7.

Fifth Sundays are reserved for singing instead of preaching and homecoming is always the second Sunday in June.

The church is at 2479 Ga. Highway 92 south and can be reached at 770-719-8448.

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