Original "covered dish" table.

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church

Highway 153

Gainer (Geneva County), Alabama

History of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church

By Jeanette Pridgen Willingham

In looking through the Faithful Workers, a newsletter published by the West Florida Primitive Baptist Association which Mt.Pleasant Primitive Baptist Church was a part of, I am sure Aunt Missie Burkett saved, and gave to the church for historical reasons. It seems that the church was organized in 1898 by M. M. Carroll and W. D. Carroll with five members. It is not clear when or which one served the church as pastor or how long. It is almost certain these two served until Brother Noah Carroll became pastor and there again we do not have the dates. And, we are almost certain that Brother Lloyd Carroll began his service in 1948 and served until Brother Aubrey Brannon became the pastor. After Brother Brannon, Brothers Owen Paul, Clarence Spear, and Johnny Jordan served from 1986—1989; Billy Waters, November 5, 1989—April 21, 1996; Jeff Coleman, May 5, 1996—August 29, 1999; Jeremy Dyer, October 3, 1999— December 2000; Henry A. Fullington, February 7, 2001—December 28, 2003; John T. Campbell, February 15, 2004 - May 2005; Ryan A. Carter, September 11, 2005 - January 12, 2006; Jack Vance, February 2006 - September 2006; Bryan McPhersen, November 2006 to present.

          The location of the church was always referred to as across the road from Uncle Tup and Aunt Dora Cooper’s home.  It was also next door to the Edward Parker’s.  About 1950, the church building was rolled on logs up the dirt road and placed behind the present church. A vase of water was left on the dark, handmade Communion Table and not one drop was spilled.  A lot of excitement filled the air as Sunday Scool rooms were added to the building. It was a fascinating thing to see the men work those logs and roll the building up the hot, dusty, narrow road.  When the present church was built, James and Juanita Newell bought the building and raised their children there.

          Christmas time was a fun time.  Coonie (Merlene) Paul, always the director of the Christmas play, helped make this time the highlight of Christmas for all the children in the neighborhood. Most of the children had to walk to play practice regardless of the cold and rainy nights.  A day or two before the play, Coonie and the cast went down the railroad bed and cut down small trees to be used as shepherds’ staffs.

          A few years after the church was moved, the congregation decided to build a new one.  Lumber was cut from the Jim Bill and Hettie Burkett farm and hauled to the mill for rafters, ceiling, etc. The congregation worked all day at their vocations and then into the night on the new church building.  The task included the youngest to the oldest members of the community whether their names were on the church roll or not.  It truly was a community effort.

          A cemetery was established at the new location. The first person to be buried there was Sena Gill Pridgen on May 30, 1951.  On that same day, our Grandfather, Johnny Petiller Pridgen, who died March 21, 1931 and had been buried at Early Town Cemetery, was moved to Mt. Pleasant cemetery. Mr. Edward Parker was buried on November 25, 1951.  To date, we have established all the names of the 147 plus people buried in the cemetery.

          Anyone having more information on those buried in this cemetery, we would appreciate your sharing that info with us.  Also, any donations made for the upkeep of the cemetery would be greatly appreciated.  To date the cost is $90 every two weeks during the peak mowing season.

          In looking through the Mt. Pleasant books kept by church secretaries through the years, we find names that are dear to many. These names include: Beagles, Beasley, Bedsole, Brunson, Burkett, Byrd, Campbell, Carr, Catrett, Clary, Cooper, Hawkins, Hemphill, Henderson, Jackson, Jay, Johnson, Jones, Maloy, Murdock, Newell, Norris, Owens, Parker, Paul, Pridgen, Ridgeway, Russell, Smith, Spicer, Strickland, Thompson, Ward,and Yates. Many others have lived in our community and worshiped at Mt. Pleasant . 

          In the late 1990’s, Primitive was dropped from the name of the church.  We [the congregation] are proud of the last 100 plus years and look forward to passing down the heritage our forefathers began.  It is our prayer that the younger generation will continue to make Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church a vital part of the Gainer Community.

Mt. Pleasant's Homecoming is the fourth Sunday in April.  We invite you to be a part of this heritage celebration.  For more information or questions, you may call or write: Jeanette Pridgen Willingham, 646 State Highway 153, Samson, AL 36477 , 334-898-7625.

  Special People in the Life of Mt. Pleasant

Mt. Pleasant Cemetery

Past Events in the Life of Mt. Pleasant