Church History

The History of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church was organized by the late Reverend Robert E Tate, the late Betsy Williams and the late Albert Tate in 1928. The first worship service was held in the Masonic Lodge Hall. In 1936 the masonic Hall was converted into a church and remained the Temple of Worship until 1960. During those formative years new members were joining the church, and the founders and members carried on in the name of the Lord.

In 1958 the church was forced to erect a new structure just a few feet from that building to the present location. The first public worship service was held on the fifth Sunday in October of 1960. With great conviction the late Reverend Robert E Tate and the congregation reflected on one of their favorite verses of a song, “Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come”.

The founder and first pastor Reverend Robert E Tate was ordained in April 1930 and served faithfully. Into each life some rain must fall the Reverend Robert E Tate was called home to be with God on November 1, 1971. Reverend Tate departed this life doing what he loved to do working to fulfill the great commission as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20. In January 1972 the Reverend Lionel Lee was called to serve as the second pastor. He served until he reached a mark of a higher calling in his endeavors ten years later.

We prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed that God would continue to sustain us through this difficult period as He had done in the past. Mount Pleasant Baptist Church sailed through turbulent waters but kept looking to the hills knowing that there help was from the Lord. God led us by the hand every step of the way. In September 1982 the Reverend Lorenzo Neff Sr. was called to serve as the third pastor. Under his divine leadership of God several programs were added and renovations were completed. Reverend Lorenzo Neff Sr. served faithfully until he was called home to be with God on September 18, 2000.

In February 2001 Reverend Johnnie Turner was elected to serve as the fourth pastor and served until January 2011. Reverend William Barrow was chosen to serve as interim pastor from February 2011 through February 2012. In February 2012 Mount Pleasant Baptist Church body elected our current and present pastor Reverend Perry Jones Jr. Reverend Jones preached his first sermon as our pastor on 2nd Sunday in March of 2012. He was installed on the 2nd Sunday in April of 2012 by the Reverend John Sanders, Pastor of the Second Baptist Church.
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church is continuing its efforts under the dynamic leadership of Pastor Jones, to be “The Church with a Mission” and to grow for the cause of Christ. Since Pastor Jones has arrived over one hundred individuals have united with the Mt. Pleasant Church through the power of God. Pastor Jones has a heart for the least, the lost and, the left out and believes we can change this community through outreach and Christian education. New ministries have been started in order to minister to the total man such as the Manup Men’s ministry, the Irock young adult ministry and the One Way youth ministry. Other ministries are the senior choir, young adult choir, ushers and deaconess. Once a year the church has its own Christian leadership school where members are trained to be the leaders God wants them to be. Pastor Jones believes in the truth that Christian education will change your life. Bible Teaching is held once a week on Tuesday evening with the Pastor, along with our Next Level Sunday school classes every Sunday morning at 9:30.Several major physical improvements have been made to the church facility and grounds. Under the divine leadership of God and our Pastor, The Reverend Perry Jones Jr. who has the heart of a shepherd, the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church continues to be an instrument in the hands of God