OUR HISTORY
The Presbyterian heritage in Mt. Pleasant dates back to April 15, 1840. A small group of Presbyterians and The Rev. Lancelot Bell organized what has become the First Presbyterian Church. The early church met in homes and in the Henry County Courthouse and struggled to exist, as membership increased very little. In 1848 The Rev. Bell returned and a wood frame building was constructed at the corner of Main and Madison (site of Southeast Iowa Community College in Mt. Pleasant Center today). As church membership increased a larger building of brick construction ($12,000) was constructed in 1857. During the 1880’s church services were provided for people living east of Mt Pleasant at East Highland School. When a tornado struck Mt. Pleasant on June 17, 1882, the church was damaged severely and repairs had to be made. The last service was held in 1897, as the building was unsafe to use. The new church ($15,000 plus $2,500 for the organ) was constructed on the same site and was dedicated in 1898. (The German Presbyterian church located on South Jefferson Street closed and the congregation joined the First Presbyterian. The Southern Conference Presbyterian Church (site of the Mt. Pleasant Public Library) had closed earlier and joined their neighbors across the street.)
This building served the congregation until fire severely damaged the structure on December 31, 1965. A new church was built on South Walnut Street and was dedicated on February 11, 1968. The church’s 150th Anniversary was celebrated in 1990. A remodeling project began in 1999 which replaced the tower and the roof and repaired the parking lot.
Through the years the congregation walked through the light of God in supporting both home and international mission work. In 1873 a Woman's Missionary Society was formed, followed by the Woman’s Aid Society in 1874. The church has sponsored various missionaries, including Drs. Lynn and Sharon Fogleman in Kenya. (Sharon’s parents, Dick & Marty Goodwin were active members of our church.) Through the years our church has supported the local Christamore House, Henry County Habitat and Henry County Hospice. In 1982 Loretta Ross-Gotta, who grew up in our congregation, was the first woman ordained as a pastor by the East Iowa Presbytery.
The First Presbyterian Church provided the first food tent at Old Threshers reunion in 1950. This project was abandoned in 1972 after requirements for food operation outgrew the ability of the congregation to operate effectively. Our congregation has been manning our church parking lot during the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion as a youth fundraiser. Another fundraiser in recent years has been our spaghetti supper held on the Wednesday evening before the Reunion. The Presbyterian Church has financially supported the relocation of Tai Dam and Laotian families, as well as sponsored ESL classes in our fellowship hall. Our youth have walked in the light of God through various mission projects and 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). Several adults from our church walked in the light of God through a church-sponsored mission trip to Kenya, Africa in 1997.
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.
Our congregation 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, Press On (Youth group for middle school and high school students), Adult Church School, Rotation Church School and Intergenerational Bible School. Church provides our facilities for the following groups: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, WIC, Al-Anon, AA, NA, and clogging.
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). Our current pastor is Rev. Trey Hegar III (2015-).
This building served the congregation until fire severely damaged the structure on December 31, 1965. A new church was built on South Walnut Street and was dedicated on February 11, 1968. The church’s 150th Anniversary was celebrated in 1990. A remodeling project began in 1999 which replaced the tower and the roof and repaired the parking lot.
Through the years the congregation walked through the light of God in supporting both home and international mission work. In 1873 a Woman's Missionary Society was formed, followed by the Woman’s Aid Society in 1874. The church has sponsored various missionaries, including Drs. Lynn and Sharon Fogleman in Kenya. (Sharon’s parents, Dick & Marty Goodwin were active members of our church.) Through the years our church has supported the local Christamore House, Henry County Habitat and Henry County Hospice. In 1982 Loretta Ross-Gotta, who grew up in our congregation, was the first woman ordained as a pastor by the East Iowa Presbytery.
The First Presbyterian Church provided the first food tent at Old Threshers reunion in 1950. This project was abandoned in 1972 after requirements for food operation outgrew the ability of the congregation to operate effectively. Our congregation has been manning our church parking lot during the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion as a youth fundraiser. Another fundraiser in recent years has been our spaghetti supper held on the Wednesday evening before the Reunion. The Presbyterian Church has financially supported the relocation of Tai Dam and Laotian families, as well as sponsored ESL classes in our fellowship hall. Our youth have walked in the light of God through various mission projects and 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). Several adults from our church walked in the light of God through a church-sponsored mission trip to Kenya, Africa in 1997.
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.
Our congregation 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, Press On (Youth group for middle school and high school students), Adult Church School, Rotation Church School and Intergenerational Bible School. Church provides our facilities for the following groups: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, WIC, Al-Anon, AA, NA, and clogging.
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). Our current pastor is Rev. Trey Hegar III (2015-).
