OUR HISTORY

The faith legacy of Greater Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church began in 1957 when Pastor, late Rev. J. P. White, saw the need for a spiritual beacon in the North Lawndale Community. On November 10, 1957, with spiritual insight the Mount Pleasant Mission was established at 4107 West Roosevelt Road. This first Sunday was one to remember as our Founding Pastor preached a sermon entitled “I Am That I Am” from Exodus 2:14 and thirteen members were added to the mission.

The Lord blessed the efforts of Rev. J.P White and the initial 13 charter members and the mission grew. It became increasingly apparent that it was time to officially organize a church, which birthed what we now know as the Greater Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church.

In June 1963, after being incorporated by the Secretary of State we received our Corporate Seal and continued to pursue acquisition of our current Church location at 1725 South Kildare Avenue. Once we acquired the property in 1964, ground was broken for our new church building. On this historic day many were present but we were especially grateful the “pillars of our church” our late Pastor, Rev. J. P. White, and the Board of Directors consisting of the late Dea. Louis E. Cooper, Bro. Lambert Parker, and the late Bro. Embry Cowart. It was during that time that Pastor White was granted the authority to not only erect the church but also serve as general contractor.

Over the span of 13 years the Lord continued to have his hand on the Greater Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and the Lord blessed spiritually, numerically and financially. It soon became the consensus of the congregation that it was time to expand once again. Through dedication, commitment and sacrifice of a Pastor and people, at a cost in excess of two million dollars our current worship center was built. Today, we all bear witness to God’s blessings of a continuous growth in membership and an edifice valued at in excess of 3.5 million dollars! To God be the Glory!

We praise and thank God for our founding visionary, shepherd, and builder the late Rev. J.P. White!

On May 9, 2004, the Greater Mt. Pleasant Church body became a flock without a shepherd, due to the transition of Pastor White. Inspired by the legacy established by our spiritual leader, a special meeting was held on August 29, 2004. Dr. Joel D. Taylor was overwhelmingly voted as Pastor. November 14, 2004 earmarked the official Ingressional Ceremony as we simultaneously culminated 47 years as a church.