Mount Pleasant
African Methodist Episcopal Church
1867-2025

~~HISTORY~~

More than 158 years ago, a group of Christians were given twoacres of land by the DesChamps familyto worship God, on this very plot of land which the church now stands.

During those early years thecongregation met in what was called a “Bush Arbor.” As the name indicates a Bush Arbor was awooden frame covered with bushes.

The first church was destroyed byfire in March 1943. The church was reconstructed under theleadership of Reverend Foxworth.

Today, we take great pride incelebrating our 158th Homecoming, and we wish to acknowledgeand pay tribute to those who have played a vital role in the existence of Mount Pleasant African Methodist EpiscopalChurch, and those who have committed themselves to maintain its existence.

ReverendJ.E. Edmond became the first pastor in 1867,followed by Reverend Wiley, Martin, Felix, Shelly, Martin, McCray, Oliver,Burke, Richardson, Robinson, Moses, Hodge, Ellerbe, Cathcart, Foxworth, Moses, Frazier, George, Robinson, Peterson, Eaddy, Platt, Graves, Gathers, D. Brown,
Bradley, McCants, E. Brown, D. McBride, Reverend Abraham Temoney, Jr. and
currently Reverend Eric A. Ramsey.

Under the leadership of Reverend Ellerbe, the front portion ofthe church was renovated, and the Corner Stone laid.

During Reverend Frazier’s administration at Mt. Pleasant, he organized theYoung Adult Choir and assisted with the transportation of members to and from church.

In1980, Bishop Frank Reed, Jr., appointed Reverend Peterson to Mt. Pleasant’s charge. He came with a vision, thus instituting thefinance committee, a fiscal budget, refurbishing of the floors in the
sanctuary, erection of the church sign, installation of the cooling system and
the purchasing of new pews. It was underhis leadership that Mt. Pleasant grew in stature.

In1984, Bishop Frederick C. James,appointed Reverend Eaddy. Under his leadership a building fundcommittee was organized. Under hisdirection, a new sound system was purchased, along with a piano, and the first publishing of the Sunday bulletins. Theconstruction of the Fellowship Hall began but was not completed under his administration.

In1986, Bishop Frederick James appointedReverend John Platt. During his five years at Mt. Pleasant, whichat the time was indeed in need of repairs, numerous ones were made including the following: new roof, lighting fixtures replaced, furnishing of the pastor’s study, telephone installation, completion of the Fellowship Hall, kitchen appliances, pews cushioned, organization of John Platt Mass Choir under the direction of Herbert Carter, and the purchase of an organ for the playing of
“sacred music.”

In September 1991, Bishop John Hurst Adams appointed Reverend Merritt Graves. Duringthese progressive years, Reverend Graves established a centralized treasury, installed a new cooling system, constructed a driveway around the church’s cemetery, established a Children’s Ministry and a “Just as I am Sunday.”

On December 4, 1994, Bishop John Hurst Adams then selected Reverend F. Gathers to lead Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. congregation. Though his tenure was short, he was an avidparticipant in Sunday School classes, at choir rehearsals, and visiting the sick and shut-in members.

In 1995 at the 104th Annual Conference of the 7th Episcopal District, Bishop John Hurst Adams appointed Reverend Davie Brown as the minister of the Mt. Pleasant A.M.E.Church. During his ministry, the focuswas on financial control, better fiscal responsibility, a strong emphasis on tithing, and an impact on presenting the word of God to our youth. Duringhis tenure, stained glass windows were installed in the sanctuary, a rampwas built for the handicap along with a cemented parkway in front of the fellowship hall, purchased the church’s first computer, re-established the building fund account, purchased a church van, and remodeled the foyer restroom.

In 2004, Bishop Henry Belin appointed Reverend Alfred Bradley to the Mt.Pleasant charge. During ReverendBradley’s two and half years, he was instrumental in the remodeling and restructuring of the sanctuary and the Sunday school department; the development of a youth educational plan; establishment of a weekly accounts payable voucher system; replacement of central heating and air condition; securitization through the purchasing and installation of security bars, updating the technology system by acquiring a new system and adding the internet; replacement of the office furnishing as well as hymnals; the refurbishing of needed flooring; and the establishment of discipline within the church.

In 2007, Bishop Preston Warren Williams II appointed ReverendMoses McCants to the Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. charge. Though his tenure was short, he participatedin Church School classes, attended choir rehearsals, and visited the sick and
shut-in members.

In 2008, Bishop Preston Warren Williams II appointed ReverendEarnest Brown to the Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. Church charge. Under the leadership of Reverend Brown,we paved the church yard and heinitiated the outreach program by giving out food bags once a month to people in the community through Harvest Hope Food Bank. In 2013 under his leadership, the pews were refurbished. In 2015 under hisleadership the following items were purchased: Drum Set and keyboard, Sound System, Tables and Chairs, for the Fellowship Hall Entrance Door, and Guard Rail installed on the Choir Loft.

November 2016, Bishop Samuel Lawrence Green, Sr.appointed Reverend Donnie McBride to Mt. Pleasant A.M.E.C. charge. Under the leadership of Rev. McBride, we are still in the processof remodeling the sanctuary and updating the church with up-to-date technology to enhance the service. We have upgraded the sound system, relocated the musicians, altered some pews to provide more space. With much prayer and faith in God, we arelooking forward to enhancing the service, and to the continuous spiritual, financial and membership growth of the church under the leadership of Rev. McBride.

2018, Bishop Samuel Lawrence Green, Sr. appointed Reverend AbrahamTemoney, Jr. to Mt. Pleasant A.M.E.C. charge. Under the leadership ofRev. Temoney, the updating of the church security system, the purchase of televisions and the technological system to enhance the service has been
completed. We look forward to continued growth of the church under the leadership of Rev. Temoney, spiritually, financially as well as membership growth.

October 3, 2021, Bishop Samuel Lawrence Green, Sr. appointed our current shepherd, Pastor Eric A. Ramsey, to Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. Church. Under the leadershipof Pastor Ramsey, a church logo was designed, the church parking lot was resurfaced, and the Hammond Organwas repaired. In one year, the roof was replaced, the church has been wrapped and painted inside and out. The inside of the church has undergone a transformation, in that new pews, pulpit set, communion table, choir chairs and drop microphones on the choir have been upgraded alone with new carpet. Also, his work didn’t stop there, and he continued to make positive changes for the betterment of the church in which he overhauled the class leader system. Pastor and Lady Ramsey have come in showinglove for the young and the old at heart that a new church welcoming slogan was created; “Welcome to Thee MTP, where the members are always pleasant”. The creation of the welcoming slogan has led many new members to join; and old members have reconnected and rededicated their lives to Christ. And most recently, the men and women restrooms have been renovated, along with the upgrading of exited doors. We are looking forward to the continued growth of the church under the leadership of Pastor Ramsey, spiritually, financially as well as membership growth.

Our rich heritage of ministers wererecommended under the leadership of Presiding Elders Thomas, Spears, Robinson, Jenkins, Nichols, Shields, McCants, Dr. James S. Cooper, Merritt B. Graves and presently, Presiding Elder Adrain Kollock Sr. of the Sumter District. Our present Bishop is The Right Reverend James Levert Davis. whopresides over the 7th Episcopal District.

The past leaders have been “many”and have contributed “much” to the history of Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. Church and have been inspirational to us. We,therefore, wish to pay special tribute to the late Robert (Bob) Carter, Eddie Wright, Boise Thomas, Marion (Mack) Durant, and Wesley Wells, who served as the
first stewards. George Wilson, JoeAnderson, Walter Thomas, Bob Stark, Arthur Gathers, Johnny Scarborough, and John Davis were the ones who served diligently as the first Trustees.

We wish to acknowledge those leadersthat are “gone” but not “forgotten,” Presiding Elders A.T. Felix, and Levern Harry; and pastors, Reverend W.T. Felix, S. Anderson. R.C. Wright, J.C. Durant, W. Clavon, C. Davis, E. Anderson, Matthew Isaac, W. George, Reverends B. Anderson, and J. Davis. We also wish to acknowledge those who have left the church to carry the word of God elsewhere; D. McBride, C. N. Howard (retired), E. Davis, D. Parrott, D. Jackson, and H. Carter-Henry.

From the sacred ground and spiritual guidance of Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. Church, our members are contributors and productive citizens in this global society. The Mission of Mt. Pleasant African
Methodist Episcopal Church is “We are a church that cares, seeks, and showsthe love of Christ through God’s grace and mercy”. The worship service isstill active with praises to the almighty God, and the evangelistic thrust is alive and functioning. We are movingupward and onward to Glory. For our vision statement is “To help equip our communityto live and serve God, as we seek to fulfill the needs of others”. Thereare many others who have worked endlessly to build a Holy foundation for the
Church’s organization to continue working in faith. Many of their ideas, expressions, are stillrooted with us and linger dear and near to our hearts.