MT.. Pleasant U.M.C.

What is now known as the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church was originally the Methodist Episcopal Mission. It was founded in 1918 by Rev. Howard E. Chapman and for two years church services were held at the home of Mr. And Mrs. Henry Lee. When Rev. Chapman was reassigned to do mission work in Akron, Ohio, Rev. Arnia Moyer from Columbus, Ohio was placed in charge of the Church. Rev. Moyer was assisted by Rev. Chapman's sister, Rev. Edna Lee.

During Rev. Moyer's administration, the Superintendent of the Columbus District placed the Methodist Episcopal Mission under the care of Cory Methodist Church. At that time the church became known as the Cory Mission. The first conference pastor was Rev. B.H. Williams. He was followed by Rev. E. Driver in 1923 and Rev. L. D. Watson in 1924.

The Mt. Pleasant Episcopal Church, as it was now known, needed a larger building to accommodate growth. A house was erected on a lot purchased on Abell Avenue. The plan was to be using it as the church temporarily and then later convert it into the church parsonage. The church remained there until 1928 when, under the leadership of Rev. William E. K. White, the fellowship hall of our present structure was erected.

Rev. White was followed by Rev. William McMorries, Rev. C. T. Parker, Rev. D. D. Turpeau Jr., Rev R. W. Stennett, Rev. J. S. Roberts and Rev. George W. Hall. In 1948, Rev. Merrill E. Nelson promised to lead the congregation into a new church. Ground was broken for it in May, 1951 and on April 12, 1953 the new sanctuary received the parade of parishioners and friends who came in singing, "We're Marching to Zion." Rev Nelson remained on at Mt. Pleasant eleven years.

He was followed by Rev. I. R. Sumner in 1959, who only remained a few weeks. Then, in July, 1959, Rev. Robert W. Kelly came to Mt. Pleasant. It was during Rev. Kelly's tenure that the church became part of the Northeast Ohio Conference. After Rev. Kelly, Dr. Earl Cunningham was assigned as pastor. His assignment lasted nine years and during that time, many members became active in District and Conference activities. In June 1977, Rev. Warren C. Hill became pastor. He was replaced in 1982 by Rev. Bethel B. Hendricks. Rev. Julius Trimble was pastor from 1988 until he was assigned Superintendent of the Cleveland District in 1996. Dr. Dennis Robinson assumed leadership at that time. (Dr. Robinson also served his internship at Mt. Pleasant in 1981.) Dr. Robinson left in 2000 and was replaced by Rev. Edgar A. Brady. Rev. Brady transferred to the East Ohio Conference from Kentucky. Rev. Brady is the twenty-third pastor of Mt. Pleasant United Church.