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, Sound Appeal, Soul Notes, Presbyterian Women, Prayer Chain, Book Group, Bible Study Group, Re:Creation (K-5th Grade), Press-On (6th-12th Grade), All God’s Creatures, Iowa WINS, and Meals by Nutrimos. The church also provides facilities to the following groups: Cub Scouts, WIC, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Acapella.
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Anti-racism Vision Statement for First Presbyterian Church of Mt Pleasant, Iowa
In 2016, the church adopted the following statement on Anti-Racism: The Bible insistently reveals that God loves diversity and justice. This is seen in the wide variety of creation in which God delights. It is heard in the words of the prophets, who reject oppression and commend justice as true worship. It is embodied in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, who resists the power of empire and values all persons, regardless of status, as children of God. Jesus gathered a community of people around him that crossed over every social and cultural boundary. Those who had been set apart were brought together: poor and rich, male and female, gentile and Jew, centurion and tax collector, Canaanite, Galilean, and Syrophoenician. Jesus called this community together in anticipation of, and participation in, the coming of the new creation.
Racism is the opposite of what God intends for humanity. It is the rejection of the other, which is entirely contrary to the Word of God incarnate in Jesus Christ. It is a form of idolatry that elevates human-made hierarchies of value over divinely-given free grace. Racism is a lie about our fellow human beings, for it says that some are less than others. It is also a lie about God, for it falsely claims that God favors parts of creation over the entirety of creation.
Because of our biblical understanding of who God is and what God intends for humanity, the PC(USA) must stand against, speak against, and work against racism. Antiracist effort is not optional for Christians. It is an essential aspect of Christian discipleship, without which we fail to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
While recognizing that racism victimizes many different racial ethnic groups, we acknowledge its unique impact on the African American community. Anti-black racism has been a structural component of the United States from the beginning. The Constitution defined an African American as three-fifths of a person, denying their full humanity. The economic foundations of the United States were built on slave labor. The legal system of the United States has consistently perpetuated the subjugation of African Americans throughout the history of the nation.
Given the particular forms that anti-black racism has taken in the United States of America both historically (including slavery and Jim Crow) and today (including mass incarceration, disproportionate policing, economic inequality, and continuing acts of racially oriented violence and hate), we state clearly: GOD LOVES BLACK and BROWN LIVES who were created equally in the image of God. Too many have denied this basic truth for too long. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must stand against racism in all its forms.
Finally, as Presbyterians we know something about work. While aspects of the Protestant work ethic may be problematic, to the degree that it signifies our determination, persistence, and stubborn strength, we embrace it in this regard: we commit ourselves to DO THE WORK of countering racism in our witness to the Gospel. In our affirmation that God loves difference, we will honor diversity as a good in which God delights. In our conviction that God desires justice, we will learn from others to broaden our understanding of equality. In our humility as sinful people, we will listen openly to diverse voices regarding how racism functions in our society. In our gratitude for God’s grace, we will turn again and again towards the vision of whole community found in the Word of God. In our joyous response to God’s love, we will love one another.
Adapted by the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Pleasant
from the PC(USA) Church wide Anti-Racism Policy Vision Statement
Racism is the opposite of what God intends for humanity. It is the rejection of the other, which is entirely contrary to the Word of God incarnate in Jesus Christ. It is a form of idolatry that elevates human-made hierarchies of value over divinely-given free grace. Racism is a lie about our fellow human beings, for it says that some are less than others. It is also a lie about God, for it falsely claims that God favors parts of creation over the entirety of creation.
Because of our biblical understanding of who God is and what God intends for humanity, the PC(USA) must stand against, speak against, and work against racism. Antiracist effort is not optional for Christians. It is an essential aspect of Christian discipleship, without which we fail to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
While recognizing that racism victimizes many different racial ethnic groups, we acknowledge its unique impact on the African American community. Anti-black racism has been a structural component of the United States from the beginning. The Constitution defined an African American as three-fifths of a person, denying their full humanity. The economic foundations of the United States were built on slave labor. The legal system of the United States has consistently perpetuated the subjugation of African Americans throughout the history of the nation.
Given the particular forms that anti-black racism has taken in the United States of America both historically (including slavery and Jim Crow) and today (including mass incarceration, disproportionate policing, economic inequality, and continuing acts of racially oriented violence and hate), we state clearly: GOD LOVES BLACK and BROWN LIVES who were created equally in the image of God. Too many have denied this basic truth for too long. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must stand against racism in all its forms.
Finally, as Presbyterians we know something about work. While aspects of the Protestant work ethic may be problematic, to the degree that it signifies our determination, persistence, and stubborn strength, we embrace it in this regard: we commit ourselves to DO THE WORK of countering racism in our witness to the Gospel. In our affirmation that God loves difference, we will honor diversity as a good in which God delights. In our conviction that God desires justice, we will learn from others to broaden our understanding of equality. In our humility as sinful people, we will listen openly to diverse voices regarding how racism functions in our society. In our gratitude for God’s grace, we will turn again and again towards the vision of whole community found in the Word of God. In our joyous response to God’s love, we will love one another.
Adapted by the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Pleasant
from the PC(USA) Church wide Anti-Racism Policy Vision Statement
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.