Mt. Pleasant Church
Making Disciples Who Make a Difference!
2509 Black Gap Rd. Chambersburg, PA 17202
(717)264-8414

A Short History of Mt. Pleasant Church

The Mt. Pleasant United Brethren church traces its beginnings to a schism that occurred in the United Brethren denomination in 1889. Because of this disruption, many United Brethren members were left without churches in which to worship. A great effort was made by the denomination to quickly reorganize congregations. In 1889, Peter Nicklas organized a group of local farmers north of Chambersburg into a United Brethren society. These people began worshiping in the Sharp schoolhouse at the corner of Mt. Pleasant and Black Gap Roads. (This is the green house that still stands behind the church pavilion)

The new congregation used the Sharp school for services until 1892, when the people realized the need for their own building. The problem was that there were no funds on hand. After prayerful consideration and much encouragement from Pastor Nicklas, the church began construction. Hiram C. Cook, a member of the church, donated a parcel of land located on the present site of Mt. Pleasant cemetery. Groundbreaking took place in the spring of 1892. According to one account, a mule of Michael Ickes drew the first cartload of dirt. Apparently, this mule kicked free from his harness and cart and created a great deal of excitement. Nevertheless, the construction went forward with volunteer labor, and a dedication service for the new 32x45 foot, white-clapboard building was held on September 11, 1892. At the end of the dedication service the conference superintendent walked the aisles persuading the people to give towards the cost of construction. The last third of the debt was raised that Sunday, which allowed the church to be dedicated debt free. The total cost of the church was $1,600.

As has already been mentioned, the first pastor of Mt. Pleasant was Peter Nicklas. It is interesting that Nicklas did not become a pastor until later in life. For many years Nicklas was the owner of P. Nicklas and Son’s furniture and carpet store in downtown Chambersburg. On a night in January 1893, Nicklas’ store caught on fire. A story has been passed on through Nicklas’ family that he was away that night preaching, very possibly at Mt. Pleasant. As he was riding his horse back into Chambersburg, he saw the glow of the fire downtown. He asked a passerby what was happening. He was told that his store was burning. Nicklas immediately got off his horse, knelt down in the middle of the street and prayed to God, saying, “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21) Of such was the piety that these early Mt. Pleasant members were made.

The church initially experienced slow growth. For August 16, 1893, records show that the morning attendance was 14, with an offering of 9 cents. A revival occurred in November of that year which resulted in several conversions to Christ and attendance in the seventies. As the years passed, the Mt. Pleasant congregation, popularly known as “The White Church,” continued its steady growth.

At first Mt. Pleasant was part of a circuit of several other United Brethren congregations, including the Cold Spring church. In 1915 a parsonage was constructed across the road from the church. By 1923 the church needed to expand, so three Sunday school classes where constructed on the north side of the building. By 1951 it was again obvious that more space was needed. The church was extended by twenty feet, and a basement was added. The total cost of this major renovation was $31,000.

In the succeeding ten years ninety more people began worshiping at Mt. Pleasant. By 1962 Sunday school attendance had risen to 275 and worship to 213. The congregation took a giant step of faith by deciding to build a new sanctuary a short distance away on the opposite side of Black Gap Road. This is our present sanctuary and it was dedicated on May 3, 1964. The cost of the building was $185,000, which in 1998 dollars would be the equivalent of $978,000. The people of Mt. Pleasant from thirty-five years ago should be commended for their great step of faith.

By 1983 it was evident once again that additional Sunday school and fellowship facilities were needed. Therefore, in 1984 the multi-purpose building was constructed. This new wing included a gymnasium/fellowship room, 12 classrooms, and an office complex.

Since its founding Mt. Pleasant has been served by thirty-two pastors. The congregation has also produced many ministers of the gospel.

God has obviously blessed the Mt. Pleasant United Brethren Church. We have grown from a handful of people to a church of almost 450. Throughout the past one hundred years many individuals have come to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior through the ministry of this church. God has proven himself faithful, as Mt. Pleasant has been faithful to Him.

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