Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 1941 to present

Written by Sis. Cora Louis Calvert
Revised by Alene Hill, 1991
Revised by Ruth Burton, 1996
Revised by Ruth Burton October, 1999

Rev. D.C. Calvert - Founder

Sixty-one years is quite a bit of History. Early in the year 1941, Rev. D. C. Calvert became inspired to build a church in the Mt. Pleasant area. While looking for a desirable location, he noticed there wasn’t a church anywhere on Kinsman. One day while riding down Kinsman, he saw a building with a sign which read "For Sale or Lease". It was the Old Arion Theater Building at 13013 Kinsman.
1941 Pastor D.C. Calvert Rev. D. C. Calvert had previously informed a long time friend Louis Woodard, about his inspiration. Mr. Woodard promised him if he would get a church started that he would join and work along with him. Rev. Calvert leased the Old Arion building for three (3) years with an option to buy. On October 12, 1941 Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church first services 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 children, Jean, Lois and Louis, Jr.; and Mr. and Mr. 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 worshiped 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 discussed with his membership the last opportunity they had to buy this building, which consisted of a spacious auditorium complete with a seating capacity of about 800, a large seven-room suite upstairs, and two stores, down for the price of $8,000. Unfortunately, the membership voted against buying the building which was later sold for a macaroni factory. They wanted to build a new church.

1945
Rev. Calvert then rented two stores across the street from the building at 13012 and 130l6 Kinsman. He knocked out the partition between the two stores and converted them into a church where they worship for another three years. After moving into the storefront, most of the members left; but with more faith, more courage and determination to carry on then ever, Rev. Calvert slowly built up another membership with his wife and children, and the Louis Woodard family by his side.
1. When the rent was raised to $90.00, Rev. Calvert found another place to worship which was a double garage located on East 143rd Street near Bartlett. In August, 1949 the church moved into the garage. Even in the garage, with many sincere prayers to God for help and guidance, the membership continued to grow. While in the garage the initial funds were raised to purchased the lot at this present site, 13009 Kinsman. For $2500.00.

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, it was noted that there was only $1.96 in the treasure. Rev. Calvert said to his member "All I want you to do is to give me full charge of building this church." Many of them did not agree because they thought he was very unwise to attempt to build a church with only $1.96 in treasure. It was voted upon and the majority voted in favor of Rev. Calvert. Most of the members who did not agree asked for their letters and left the church. God gave him more faith and courage to go on, for he knew that nothing was too hard for God and that He would continue to stand by him and direct him. He strongly believed "With God all Things Are Possible." Soon after, those that were left, had the Ground-Breaking Ceremony and the basement excavated.

There was a large hole in the ground which the people in the neighborhood began to complain to City Hall about. A policemen was sent out to talk to Rev. Calvert and to give him ten days to fill the hole up. After the ten days had expired, the City sent men out to fill up the hole. God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. The same day the men came out to fill the basement up. Rev. Calvert had men down there laying the foundation.

After the walls in the basement were blocked, Rev. Calvert got permission from City Hall to have one week’s services in the basement. It did not have a top and the church rented a tent top to have services throughout the week. Later a roof, partition and boarded floors were added which allowed them to worship for a long while - even without sewage. The members continued to believe that God was on their side. Services continued in half of the basement for approximately a year and a half. While in the basement, the entire front of the church and vestibule along with the restroom facilities were added.

1955
In August, 1955 the entire church was completed and we moved up into the Sanctuary. Rev. William Downs preached the Dedication sermon to 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 life-time pastorate on January 28, 1961.

The Corner Stone was laid on July 23, 1967. It was donated to the church by Miss Emma Sanders in memory of her father, the late Deacon John Sanders, who was Chairman of the Deacon Board. The Mortgage was burned on August 15, 1971. Rev. William Downs officiated.
Contributions in the years that followed:

- The Senior Choir donated an organ
- The Gospel Choir remodeled the choir stand
- The Cathedral Choir donated the pulpit outfit and purchased a piano
- The Senior Board remodeled the kitchen area
- The Sunday School was responsible for participating and sending delegates to the National Baptist Convention
- In 1973 the church bought a school bus to use for long trips. It was used to go to Indiana, Niagara Falls, Cedar Point and a few other places.
Because it wasn’t used much, it was finally sold to the Star Light Baptist Church.
- November 198l two homes were purchased in the rear of the church to make a parking lot.
- Early in 1982 new carpeting was laid throughout the church.
- A baptizing pool was added to the lower auditorium.

1989 In 1989 the building Mt Pleasant started in at 130l3 Kinsman was purchased for $10,000 cash and the seller who owned all of the property from the building to E. 132nd street, gifted that property to the church. It was later discovered that the gifted property had back taxes of $27,000. Rev. Calvert called a meeting of his board of deacons and trustees and asked them what they wanted to do about this discovery. They decided to keep the property and pay off the taxes so as not to have someone come along and purchase the property and put up anything next to the church. Before the church could pay off the taxes the city started foreclosure on the property for the back taxes.
Rev. Calvert made a loan to the church, without interest. A building fund committee was started with Gwendolyn Prinkleton as Chairperson to raise the money to repay Rev. Calvert. They worked hard, some contributing $20.00 or more each month. Rev. Phillip Harris contributed his salary as the Minister of Music each month. The money was paid back in full after about a year. The Building Fund Committee continued to work hard. In 1990 they purchased an air condition unit for the church. In 1991 they bought new tables and chairs for the dinning area.
Rev. Calvert was very faithful and devoted to the church until his health begin to fail. He was in the pulpit every Sunday until October, 1984. He was 96 at that time. He was thought to be the oldest minister still a pastor in the State of Ohio.

Rev. Phillip Harris, Sr. who had grown up in the church and was ordained by Rev. Calvert begin to fulfill the responsibilities of the pulpit, issuing communion, baptizing, performing weddings and funerals and teaching the Bible Study Class. He shared the Pulpit with visiting ministers every other Sunday. These ministers were ministers who wanted to preach but were not looking to pastor a church. They were selected by a committee that had been appointed by the Chairman of the Deacon Board, Felix Prinkleton.
Before Deacon Prinkleton was selected chairman of the Deacon Board, Deacon Earl Brown was the chairman. He was called home by our Heavenly Father and his position had not been replaced. Bro. Richard Braddix who was Chairman of the Trustee Board was put on the deacon board by Rev. Calvert and his position also had been left opened. With the absence of the pastor from the pulpit, Rev. Edward Small who was over all of the Moderators, met with the Board of Deacons and Trustee and suggested that instead of fulfilling two positions, the board could become a joint board and one person could be elected from among the deacons to become chairman and that person along with the board would be in charge until the pastor returned. Deacon Felix Prinkleton was elected Chairman of that Board. In March, 1995 God called our beloved pastor, Rev. David Charles Calvert, home to his eternal resting place. In 1995 Deacon and Sister Moss donated Bibles to be kept in the racks on all of the pews.

1996 The church continued to function without a shepherd until September, with Rev. Phillip Harris and the visiting ministers. A pulpit committee was organized with Deacon George Roberson as chairman to begin the search for a pastor. This committee different from the one that selected visiting ministers. Every other Sunday ministers would preach that wanted to be considered for pastor. Rev. Harris was considered, but he stated that he was a preacher and what this church needed was an experienced pastor.
About the same time, Rev. Rowan who was our church moderator, sent Rev. Luther McDaniel to start training the deacons that were on the board and not ordained so that when a new pastor was found all he had to do was to ordain them. Rev. McDaniel added his resume to those that were being considered for pastor and he was elected to become the new shepherd May 20, 1996. He accepted in person on Sunday, May 26 and preached his first sermon as pastor on June 2nd. Rev. Albert Rowan installed him before an overflowing church on July 21, 1996.

About the middle of 1996, Bro Ray Harris started a Tape Ministry. Prior to his becoming pastor, one of the members, Sis. Helen Pryor, wanted to have all of the pews cushioned. With the help of the Building Fund Committee, Chaired by Sis. Linda Moss, these cushions became new pews and wall to wall carpet. Some of the members and auxiliaries donated $500 for a pew. Theses names are on name plates attached to the pews. Rev. McDaniel was instrumental in seeing that this project was completed.
He was instrumental in separating the deacons and trustees to function as separate boards and coming together as a joint board on a quarterly basis. He ordained four deacons; Deacon. Richard Braddix, Deacon. Johnny Cummings, Sr., Deacon. Verise Dean, Deacon. Preston Moss and Deacon. George Roberson. Deacon. Felix Prinkleton , remained as Chairman of the Deacon Board and Bro. Eugene Collins, was appointed Chairman of the Trustee Board. Pastor McDaniel appointed Bro. Charles Dicks and Bro. Donald Sims to the Trustee Board. He appointed Bro. Abdul Rashad, Bro. Lee Davis as deacons -in-training. He appointed Deacon. Henry Knights as deacon -on-probation after being reinstated to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Bro. Ray Harris elected as the Church Treasurer after Deacon. Willie Davis gave up the position because of failing health. Deacon. Davis had been the church treasurer for over 20 years.

1997
Early on, before Rev. McDaniel became the pastor, the Senior Choir and Cathedral Choir became a combined choir. After Pastor McDaniel's first year, he asked the Cathedral choir and the Gospel choir to sing together as a mass choir until the end of the year. At the end of the year the two choirs decided to continue to sing together and renamed themselves the Voices of Praise. Sis. Stella McDaniel became the director and Bro. Gideon Lawson was appointed Minister of Music and the choir’s pianist. Bro. Willie J. Morris who had been the organist since 1972, remained the organist. Bro. David Brown joined the Music Department as percussionist for the choir. He was also instrumental in the remodeling of the pastor’s study, the church office.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PASTOR McDaniel
- Purchase of a new water fountain
- Purchasing a new church sign
- Demolishing the building that was purchased to make room for a parking lot
- Purchased a new digital piano and organ
- Share Program
- Shoes and Clothes for Kids
- Purchased legal license for use of songs/tapes
- Distributed Revised copy of Church Constitution and By-laws
- New Members Banquet
- Mid Week Service - Sermonette by Ministers
- Deacon and Trustees Monthly Meeting
- New Membership Class (Baptist Doctrine)
- Outside Bulletin Board and New Church Sign
- Growing Tree of Life Project

- Hired church Attorney
- Audio system upgraded
- Security System upgraded
- Auxiliary Financial Report Enforced
- Tile and Lights for Vestibule
- Vacation Bible School for all ages
- Prison Ministry
- Helped over 1500 needy children
- Feed a Family
- Blankets for Homeless (in progress)
- Visit Nursing Homes
- Combined Men and Women’s Day Services
- Certificate of completion for Monday Night Bible Study Class
- Monthly Black History Presentation
- Grant Proposals submitted (still pending)
We praise and thank God for the ups and downs of the past 61 years and we praise and thank Him for a pastor that leads with knowledge and understanding, for a flock without a shepherd will flounder. .......and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. We know that this church is built upon a solid rock.