Cause for celebration: Mount Pleasant Baptist Church marks 190th anniversary

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Members of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on Route V will celebrate the congregation's 190th anniversary today.

"Everyone is invited to come and help us celebrate this momentous occasion," said Linda Lunyou, a member of the church. "We will begin with morning services at 10 a.m."

There will be special singing by the String Circle and recognition of some members for their faithful service along with a short sermon by Mike Allen, who has been the interim pastor for 18 months.

A carry-in lunch at noon will be in the basement.

"We will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. with more special singing by the String Circle, a reading of a brief history of the church, recognizing some of our former pastors and then inviting comments from the congregation and visitors," Lunyou said. Dismissal will be at 4 p.m.

The red brick church is just over five miles southeast of Piedmont or six miles northwest of Route A.

"The church was organized in 1820," said Lunyou, who is president of the Wayne County Historical Society. "The present building is the third known site and is on land donated by Mr. M. C. Farr."

"A new building was started in 1957 and dedicated in June 1958. Since then, an addition was built on the back and it has been bricked with red brick."

She also said her husband, Carl, who was born and raised in the Otter Creek area, his brother, Edward, and their uncle, Glen Seals, were baptized 61 years ago and hold the longest membership in the church.

Fay Sullivan, who became a member 31 years ago, is the oldest member of the congregation.

For more information, call 573-223-7130.