Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church was established in 1854 as a house church with 7 members. The church met at the home of Abraham Eakright until 1861, when the church began meeting in a log school-house. Land was granted to the church in 1869 by Philip Ginder, and a wooden church structure was built. The church met at the schoolhouse until 1870 when the first church structure was completed.

In 1883, a new church was built in Butler to serve the Butler and North area. In 1889 Mount Pleasant was remodeled to accommodate new pews.

In 1917, the church was rebuilt, adding a basement, and was veneered with brick. During this rebuild, spaces for 4 panel windows in wood casement and a Palladian window were inserted into the design.

In 1955, due to church growth and cramped space, the church elected to extend the sanctuary, add classrooms and move the windows. 15 art glass lead windows, and 4 stained glass panels in casements windows were added.

In the main sanctuary, were 6 art glass lead panels in casements, 2 given by the PD Ginder family, and 2 given by the Leaders SS class. These panels measure 6 feet 4 inches tall and 3 feet 10 inches wide. One panel was given by Charles Imhoff and Theron and one by Reverend and Mrs. Hively. Each panel cost about $230.00 per window. The widows all have a circle with 3 arm design representing the trinity. 4 opalescent swirled glass panels in casement in the classroom and nursery were given from various anonymous donations to complement the art glass.

In 2004, an addition was built on the East side of the church to accommodate more up to date restroom facilities, add an elevator and expand the vestibule of the church. The windows given by the Imhoff’s and the Hively’s were relocated from the east side of the sanctuary to the South side of the new addition. During the construction, a tapestry was to be added, so the original window placement was modified to accommodate the tapestry.

The art glass Palladian Window in the back of the sanctuary was given with a donation from the ladies’ aid. At the time, the cost of the window was $7,256.00. The window is barred at the top of the arch due to the weight of the glass, sitting over 3 leaded art glass panels in wooden casement. Each panel measures 6 feet 4 inches tall by 3 feet 10 inches wide. Each window is opalescent swirl with a three-armed circle design in each window, symbol-izing the trinity. The arched window at the top measures 4 feet 2 inches tall. The arched window is opalescent swirl in a stationary wooden sash. Each window is a copper foil and lead solder in the Tiffiany technique. The Palladian window was reinforced and cleaned in 2023 due to buckling at a cost of $10,000.

In 1968, the art glass panel of Jesus praying in Gethsemane was added to the Northern part of the Chancel. The panel is in a stationary U channel came, with 2 horizontal and 6 vertical bars to stabilize the panel. The panel is 6 feet 8 inches tall and 4 feet 2 inches wide in stationary casement. There are 241 pieces of stained glass. 34 are fused glass creating the clear circles around the edge, 45 pieces are Grisaille painted and fired to create the shading and details in the trees and shrubs and 3 pieces are enamel painted and fired to create the facial details of Jesus and the apostles. The window was the source of much controversy prior to being built. Was Jesus’ robe red or purple? Do you know? Lighting was added in 2005 to light the Jesus panel in the sanctuary so that passersby could see the window at night.

In the old sanctuary, 2 panels are dedicated to the mothers of Mr. and Mrs. EB Nimmons and 2 panels to the Lois Keller families, given by same. These panels measure 6 feet 4 inches tall by 2 feet 4 inches wide. These windows copy the Palladian window colors and designs, including the Tiffany technique.

Two 20 inch rose windows with the trinity sign are now only visible in the attic of the church.

Mt. Pleasant U.M.C.