OUR HISTORY
The Building The Presbyterian church first came to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa back in April 15, 1840, when Reverend Lancelot Bell and a small group of Presbyterians organized what became the First Presbyterian Church. At first, the church met in homes and the Henry County Courthouse; membership was small and the church struggled to exist. In 1848, Rev. Bell returned to Mt. Pleasant and helped the church construct their first church building. The wood frame building sat at the corner of Main and Madison Street, what is now the site of Southeastern Community College’s Mt. Pleasant Center.
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As church membership increased, the First Presbyterian Church found need in a larger building to serve as their church. In 1857, the wood frame was replaced by a brick construction that costed $12,000. During the 1880’s, the First Presbyterian Church moved locations again to the East Highland School. However, when a tornado struck the town on June 17, 1882, the church was left with severe damages and eventually deemed unsafe to use. The last service in the old church was held in 1897, and the new church, which was constructed for $15,000 in the same site, was dedicated in 1898. At that time, the German Presbyterian Church located on South Jefferson St had closed and joined the First Presbyterian Church.
The new building served the congregation for over 65 years until a fire broke out and severely damaged the structure on December 31, 1965. The First Presbyterian Church then moved to its current location, 902 S Walnut St, which was dedicated on February 11, 1968. In 1990, the church celebrated its 150th Anniversary, and in 1999, the church began its remodeling project of replacing the tower and the roof, as well as repairing the parking lot.
The new building served the congregation for over 65 years until a fire broke out and severely damaged the structure on December 31, 1965. The First Presbyterian Church then moved to its current location, 902 S Walnut St, which was dedicated on February 11, 1968. In 1990, the church celebrated its 150th Anniversary, and in 1999, the church began its remodeling project of replacing the tower and the roof, as well as repairing the parking lot.
Our Missions and Outreach
Throughout the years, the First Presbyterian Church has walked through the light of God in supporting international and local mission work. A Woman’s Missionary Society was formed in 1873, followed by the formation of the Woman’s Aid Society in 1874. The First Presbyterian Church has financially supported the relocation of Tai Dam and Laotian families, as well as sponsored ESL classes in the church’s Fellowship Hall. The church has also sponsored various missionaries, including Dr. Lynn and Dr. Sharon Fogleman in Kenya; Sharon’s parents, Dick and Marty Goodwin were active members of the church. Both the church’s youth and several adults in the congregation have walked through the light of God and supported various mission projects and trips. For the youth, trips to Phoenix/Tempe (1970), Chama, New Mexico (1972), Menaul (1986), Project Reach in Des Moines, IA (2003), and Hope for the Heartland Mission Trip-Williamsburg, IA (2004). For the adults, a trip to Kenya, Africa in 1997.
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Locally, the First Presbyterian Church has supported Christamore House, Henry County Habitat, and Henry County Hospice. During the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion, the church opens up its parking lot in order to raise funds for the youth. From 1950 to 1972, the church also manned a food tent on the Old Threshers grounds, but the requirements for operations outgrew the ability of the congregation to operate effectively. Another fundraiser the First Presbyterian Church holds during the Reunion is the annual spaghetti supper. The Wednesday evening before the Reunion opens up, the church serves around 700 spaghetti supper meals to those that purchase tickets, and in 2021, the church had served it 10,000th meal.
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Our Ministries
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The First Presbyterian Church continues to walk through the light of God through the following active groups: Elders, Deacons, Westminster Choir, Children’s Church School Choir, Sound Appeal, Soul Notes, Clipper Mariners, Presbyterian Women, Ruth Circle, Men’s Group, Pathfinders, Prayer Chain, Praying and Caring Ministry, Bread Ministry for first-time visitors, Book Group, Bible Study Group, Re:Creation (K-5th Grade), Press-On (6th-12th Grade), Adult Church School, Rotation Church School, Intergenerational Bible School, All God’s Creatures, Iowa WINS, and Nutrimos. The church also provides facilities to the following groups: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, WIC, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Acapella.
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Musicals produced in the light of God over the years included: “Christ in the Concrete City” (1970), “It’s Cool in the Furnace” (1982), Madrigal Dinner (1984), “Moses and the Freedom Fanatics “ (1985), “Joseph & the Technicolor Dreamcoat” (1986) and “Daniel & the Lion’s Den” (1986), and also Westminster Choir musical cantatas and Christmas Church School Programs.
Pastoral leadership includes: Rev. Edward Jeambey (1932-1940), Rev. Owen Wilson (1945-1966),
Rev. Gerald Roseberry (1966-1974), Rev. Ronald McMenamin (1975-1983), Rev. Larry Mitchell (1984-1999),
Rev. Dr. Douglas Hall (1999-2000) and Rev. Dr. Jerry Kelly (2001-2007). The current pastor is Rev. Trey Hegar the Third (2015-).
In 1982, Lorette Ross-Gotta, who grew up in the First Presbyterian congregation, was the first woman ordained as a pastor by the East Iowa Presbytery.
Pastoral leadership includes: Rev. Edward Jeambey (1932-1940), Rev. Owen Wilson (1945-1966),
Rev. Gerald Roseberry (1966-1974), Rev. Ronald McMenamin (1975-1983), Rev. Larry Mitchell (1984-1999),
Rev. Dr. Douglas Hall (1999-2000) and Rev. Dr. Jerry Kelly (2001-2007). The current pastor is Rev. Trey Hegar the Third (2015-).
In 1982, Lorette Ross-Gotta, who grew up in the First Presbyterian congregation, was the first woman ordained as a pastor by the East Iowa Presbytery.