Mount Pleasant Baptist Church History
Early in the year of 1941, Rev. D. C. Calvert became inspired to build a church in the Mount Pleasant area. While looking for a desirable location, he noticed there wasn’t a church anywhere on Kinsman Rd. One day while riding down Kinsman, he saw a building with a sign that read “For Sale or Lease”. It was the old Orion Theater Building at 13013 Kinsman.
Previously, he had informed a long-time friend, Louis Woodard, about his inspiration. Mr. Woodard promised if he would get a church started, that he would join and work along with him. Rev Calvert leased the Old Orion Building for three (3) years with an option to buy. On October 12th, 1941, Mt Pleasant Baptist Church’s first service was held. Those present were Rev D.C. Calvert and his wife Cora Louise, two daughters Ruth and Marguerite, Louis Woodard and his wife Mary and their three (3) children, Jean, Lois, and Louis Jr., and Mr. & Mrs. Curtis Hill. A few weeks later, the church was dedicated by the late Rev. J. C. Williams and other prominent ministers of the city.
Rev. Calvert named the church “The Mount Pleasant Baptist Church” and was elected as the Pastor. They worshipped faithfully in this building and the membership grew. At the end of the three years, the lease terminated, and the building was up for sale.
Rev Calvert called a meeting to discuss with his membership their last opportunity to buy this building that consisted of a spacious auditorium with a seating capacity of about 800, a large seven room suite upstairs and two stores downstairs for the price of $8,000. Unfortunately, the membership voted against the building that was later sold for a macaroni factory. They wanted to build a new church.
Rev Calvert then rented two stores across the street from the building at 13012 and 13016 Kinsman. He knocked out the partition between the two stores and converted them into a church where they worshipped for three more years. After moving into the storefront, most of the members left. But, with more faith, courage and determination to carry on than ever, Rev Calvert slowly built up another membership with his wife and children, and the Louis Woodard family by his side.
When the rent was raised to $90.00, Rev Calvert found another place to worship which was a double garage located on E. 143rd St near Bartlett. In August 1949, the church moved into the garage and the membership grew. While in the garage, they raised enough money to purchase the lot at this present site of 13009 Kinsman for $2,500.00.
After the lot was paid in full, the Pastor called another meeting and suggested that they start building a church immediately. The clerk of the church read the minutes, and it was noted that the treasury amount was only $1.98. Rev Calvert said to the members, “all I want you to do is give me full charge of building the church”. Many of them did not agree because they thought he was very unwise to attempt to build a church with only $1.98 in the treasury.
They took a vote and most voted in favor of Rev. Calvert, but most of the ones not in agreement asked for their letters and left the church. Rev Calvert had even more faith and courage to continue, for he knew that nothing was too hard for God and that God would continue to stand by him and direct him. He strongly believed, “With God All Things are Possible”. Soon after, those that remained had the Ground-Breaking Ceremony and the basement was excavated.
There was a large hole in the ground that the people in the neighborhood began to complain to City Hall about. A police officer was sent to talk to Rev Calvert and gave him ten (10) days to fill the hole. After ten days had expired, the city sent men to fill up the hold. God works in mysterious ways and His wonders to perform. Rev Calvert had men laying the foundation the very day the city returned to fill up the hole.
After the walls in the basement were blocked, Rev Calvert got permission to have a week’s services in the basement. Since there was no top yet, he rented a tent top to cover them throughout the week. Later, a roof, partition, and boarded floors were added and the church continued to worship in half of the basement for approximately a year and a half- even without sewage. The members continued to believe that God was on their side and worked hard to raise funds to have the entire front of the vestibule and restroom facilities completed.
In August 1955, the entire church was completed and the members moved up into this Sanctuary. Rev William Downs preached the Dedication sermon to a capacity filled church.
Recognizing the value of Rev Calvert’s leadership and wishing to bestow upon him a deserving tribute, the church elected him to a lifetime pastorate on January 28, 1961. The mortgage was burned on August 15, 1971. After 55 years of very faithful service, Rev. David Charles Calvert was called to his eternal resting place on March 10th, 1995, at the age of 97. He was thought to be the oldest pasturing minister in the state of Ohio.
Rev Phillip Harris, Sr, who grew up in the church and was baptized and ordained as a minister by Rev Calvert, assumed the ministerial duties under the auspices of the deacon Board until Rev Luther C. McDaniel was called to pastor. Rev McDaniel preached his first sermon as the Second Pastor of Mt Pleasant Baptist Church on May 20, 1996. Under Pastor McDaniel’s leadership, the church flourished both spiritually and financially.
On Sunday, September 30, 2001, he received a Doctor of Divinity Degree. His leadership was invaluable, and several improvements and renovations were made to the church. He represented the church in various religious and community organizations by his participation in the Mt Pleasant Council, Mt Pleasant N.O.W. and many other city organizations. He was instrumental in the church being a partner with Shoes and Coats for Kids and he also served on the board for Faith Community United Credit Union and several other organizations.
After 8 years of faithful service, Dr. Luther C. McDaniel was called to his eternal resting place on August 4, 2004, at the age of 76. He was known for his quick wit and his impeccable integrity whether he was in service to his church or the community.
On November 30, 2004, the Pulpit Search Committee was selected under the guidance of Rev. Steven Sullivan, who served as moderator to begin the search for the 3rd pastor of this great church. While the committee was in the process of reviewing applications, one Sunday morning, a nice looking, young, well-dressed man visited and sat out in the congregation.
Because he had that “ministerial” look, he was asked if he was a minister and was invited into the pulpit. He received an invitation to return and preach, which he accepted. He submitted his application and as God would have it, the search committee selected the current pastor, Dwayne M. Simmons, a young man as the 3rd pastor of Mt Pleasant Baptist Church. He preached his first sermon as Pastor on Mother’s Day, May 8th, 2005 and was installed on June 12th, 2005.
Under Pastor Simmons’ leadership, the Praise Team and Praise Dancers were started, an additional choir was started which he later combined into one choir. Nursing Home and Prison Ministries were started, Vacation Bible School was enhanced, upgrades to the sound system were completed, new organ and keyboards have been purchased, an Annual church picnic was started, an annual Community Day was started where we welcomed the community and gave free food and school supplies and clothing, the Shoes and Coats for kids was expanded and outsourced, the Trustee Board was reorganized, Deacons have been added and Timothy’s have been trained and have graduated to Deacons. He has also added an executive staff of preachers in the persons of Rev Joseph Lucky and Rev James Edwards.
In 2017, we received our first female Evangelist called into the Ministry; that person being Min Anquinette “Queenie” Jackson. On Dec 20, 2019, Min Denise Milner delivered her trial sermon, in 2022, Min Ronaye Hill and in Sept 2023, Min Barbara McGhee were added. Additionally, Ministers Kameron Taylor, Everett Gunn, Wesley Henderson, Jason Washington, Kelvin Gilbert, Jesse Peters, and Kenneth Taylor are members of the Ministerial staff.
In March 2020, our nation was shut down by a horrible, deadly virus called Coronavirus Disease, shortened to COVID 19. The effect of this virus continues today as all businesses and churches did not survive the virus and did not reopen. The word of God was still delivered here at Mt Pleasant because Pastor Simmons used technology to enter our homes and when the weather permitted, he brought the word to the parking lot of the church. Mt Pleasant, we have a very rich history, and we are getting older. But that’s the best news yet! We are 83 years old, and we can boast that we have only had three pastors.
This Church was started with the unwavering faith of our founding pastor, Rev. D.C. Calvert and $1.98 in the bank. But, through prayer and dedication of many members over the years, we have flourished. If we continue to pray, have that unwavering faith in God and the vision God has given Pastor Simmons and support the church financially, our foundation will become even stronger, because God does answer prayer.
Finally, in the words of our Pastor D. M. Simmons, “Continue to pray for our body of believers as we move Christ forward in all that we do. To God be the Glory”.
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