Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church celebrates 215 years

JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ)-Church-goers at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church raise up there voices in celebration. They gather to share in the gospel as they have for more than two centuries.

Pastor Basil Hall tells the congregation, “Listen we really want to emphasize this church would not be here for 215 years if people were not inviting people to church.”

It’s a big birthday that the church has been celebrating all month and a place 75-year-old Marion Williams has called home since his pregnant mother moved to Keene.

Williams says, “She brought me here before I was born. So I’ve been coming here, no where else, all my life.”

He’s seen countless of baptisms, weddings, and funerals in this church. It’s current sanctuary is almost 140 years old.

Williams says, “I’ve known a lot of people that have came here…that are real friends of mine…and old people that have passed away that were friends of min, mentors when I was young.”

The church says it’s first pastor, Rev. George Smith, had his hand in framing the Kentucky Constitution. And for many they say it’s historical roots in this community makes it that more special.

Pastor Basil Hall says, “Just the amount of years and history…to know that this church started when the country was 25 years old blows my mind. And to me, it is an absolute honor to be here especially at a church that’s been here this long.”

In it’s early days the pastor says Keene was a resort community with a hotel and hot springs. Now it’s a small and quiet community in Nicholasville with a church atop a hill that carries on the same values it has been preaching since 1801.

Marion says it’s “The spirituality of the group, love we have for each other. It’s just a good place to be.”