History

History of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church

Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, the quaint little white building at the intersection of state routes 625 and 624, is believed to be the second oldest Methodist church still in use in Louisa County. The church was founded in the year 1812. The current church was built in 1823 and has been in continuous operation since that time. In the early 1950s the church was relocated a few hundred yards to the North because of the operation of a rock quarry nearby.

Little historical information exists pertaining to Mt. Pleasant during the 1800's. It is assumed that it has always been a "charge church" or one of several churches assigned to the same minister. Like most other Methodist churches, it has changed names on several occasions, from Methodist Episcopal to Methodist Protestant in 1830, to Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1844, to Methodist Church in 1939, to the United Methodist Church in 1968. Before 1945, Mt. Pleasant was a member of the Louisa Circuit and after that year became part of the Mineral Charge with the Mineral United Methodist Church.

It is located on just over two acres that were deeded to the church by the locally prominent Dickinson family. The site includes a small cemetery and many mature oak trees that shade the church and nestle it in the site. The congregation is a mix of local neighbors, people who have worshiped here since childhood and drive a considerable distance to return every Sunday, and new members of the community. Mt Pleasant is the closest Methodist church to Lake Anna.

The church is a basic one room frame church with small narrow stairs leading to a balcony that covers the rear quarter of the sanctuary. The lectern and altar area are recessed in a bow front with tall windows all around providing an open and light feeling. There has been a lot of work on the interior and exterior of the church. The pews, carpet, and windows have all been upgraded. A New Fellowship Hall with a kitchen, vinyl siding and the addition of a new bell steeple have recently been completed. The changes to the church have not change the look and feel of the sanctuary. Sitting in a pew of the church on Sunday morning, one has the feeling of worshiping very much as families have done for generations all across America, in small one room country churches. Worshiping at Mt Pleasant United Methodist Church will not only be a great spiritual experience of today, but also a visit to the American past.