Pleasant Chapel church of God began as fervent prayer for a ministry in Lancaster, Ohio. Rose Rauch, Pastor Steve’s grandmother, was instrumental in beginning the church under the leadership of Pastor Bob Rauch. At that time, our church was affiliated with God’s Acres church of God in Newark, Ohio and the families were interested in beginning a local congregation rather than travel to Newark weekly. On July 9, 1972, the church began Sunday services with 19 adults and several children. For two years, the church was located on Columbus Street in a store front building. We then purchased a church property on Main Street and worshipped there for the next sixteen years.
During those years, Pleasant Chapel grew to a size of 250 people with a thriving bus ministry through the late 70’s, a Christian school from 1981-1990, and a Radio Station, WFCO 90.9fm, which began in 1988 and still continues today.
The church moved from Main Street to Joy Lane in Berne Township in 1990 and remained there until the end of 2005. At that time, the decision was made to build a church facility on land in Pleasant Township. During the building process, we worshipped at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on State Route 188.
Bob Rauch, Pastor Steve’s father, was the primary pastor from 1972 through 2004. In 1997 Pastor Steve was ordained through the Church of God Reformation Movement in Anderson, Indiana. Pastor Steve was employed by the church in 1997 as the Associate Pastor and when Pastor Bob retired in 2004, Pastor Steve was approved as our new pastor.
We are excited about the opportunity to worship in our new facility by mid-April. We plan to use our church building to the glory of God for services, church meals and many other community events. More information about our new building can be found on the Our New Building page.