The following article appeared on the front page of the December 10, 1942 edition of the Sandy Valley Enquirer: PLEASANT VALLEY CHURCH BUILT 1870 By: Mrs. Alice Harris One of the pioneers in the history of Carter County was Joseph Haven Strother, son of Rev. Phillip Strother. Joseph Haven Strother was elected County Judge twice and was urged by his friends to seek office for the third time, but due to blindness he did not enter politics again. Rev. Phillip Strother was one of the greatest evangelists of his time. After years of faithful service to the people of Carter County, he retired and lived with his son Joseph, on his farm. Joseph Haven Strother lived to be 88 years old. In 1870 the Methodist built a hewed-log church at Counts Cross Roads, known then as Pleasant Valley. Later, a frame church was built and all Protestant denominations held services in this church. This was back in the horse-and-buggy days and people who lived far from the church had to start at daylight, bringing a basket of food for their dinner. After the services they would return home, arriving there about dark and just in time to chop the wood, feed the livestock, do the milking and all the other chores that were so numerous in those days. Each settler of these pioneer days looked forward to the Quarterly Meetin' held four times a year. At these quarterly meetings the people for miles and miles around would gather for a whole day of worship. Lunches were spread and picnic parties were plentiful. Prior to the building of the church at the Cross Roads the services were held at the home of Joseph Haven Strother, services being held once a month.