On May 7, 1965, the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (MPBC) was organized under the leadership of Pastor Joshua Webster Green. At that time, church services were held in the lower level of Mount Zion Baptist Church where Reverend James Smythe, Sr., served as their Pastor. With funds ($4,000.00) raised by the dedicated and committed members of Mount Pleasant and a loan from Pastor Green and Sister Nellie Hill, MPBC marched into our own church building at 562 Clinton Avenue (August 1, 1965).

On January 22, 1966, Pastor Green called a special meeting to tell the members about a certain property he had looked at in the interest of the Church. After much discussion, a vote was taken to purchase the property and authorized Pastor Green and the trustees to proceed with the purchase.

On September 25, 1966, with police escort and the band from St. John’s Church of God in Christ, members marched into the edifice in which we now worship and affectionately call, “The Mountain of Pleasantness” located at 441 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York.

In January of 1968, the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church organizer and our first Pastor, Reverend Joshua Webster Green, submitted his resignation. For ten months, we were without a shepherd. During this time, our loyal and faithful trustees handled the financial part of the church. Our then Church Mother, Sis. Lena Clark would remind us over and over that we should “Thank God for Jesus”.

In December of 1968, Reverend Lawrence W. George was called as our Pastor. He was installed in March 1969. His theme for Mount Pleasant Baptist Church was “The Church with God’s Spirit.” Reverend George remained as Pastor for 18 months. Under his leadership, we burned our mortgage, three years ahead of schedule.

On December 27, 1970, after much prayer, God blessed Mount Pleasant with a new leader in the person of Reverend Edward-Earl Johnson. Pastor Johnson reorganized the auxiliaries that had ceased working and added new ones. He ordained (4) deacons: Branch Clark, James Dixon, James Edmondson and Clarence Lovelace. Reverend Johnson stayed with us for seven years as he was called back to pastor his former church where he served as Youth Minister. Deacon Clarence Lovelace, Chairman of the Deacons and other faithful officers continued to carry on the business of the church after his departure.

On June 26, 1977, Reverend William Roland was installed as Mount Pleasant Baptist Church’s fourth Pastor. Pastor Roland was active and well respected in the Albany community and received many awards for his community service. Because of Pastor Roland’s strong faith in God and his love for his people, he guided us in the right direction for twenty years. Under his leadership, church membership increased significantly, and nine deacons were ordained. There were several upgrades and renovations made to the building. However, as time moved on, Pastor Roland recognized his health was failing and authorized the Deacon Board to be responsible for Worship Service. Deacon Louis Williams, Jr., gave Mount Pleasant Baptist Church his best leadership during this time as chair of our deacons. Pastor Roland resigned after twenty years of anointed service. On April 20, 1997, during morning worship, the members voted to give the title of “Pastor Emeritus” to Pastor Roland.

On November 22, 1998, Reverend William Edward Morgan accepted Mount Pleasant’s call and became our fifth pastor. He came with his wife by his side, Reverend Shirley A. Morgan. He immediately introduced us to the meaning of true membership; being a Disciple of Jesus Christ. Through God’s anointing of this preacher/teacher, we have witnessed an increase in ministry and membership. Reverend Morgan organized the following: Growing in Grace Ministry (GIG) and appointed Deaconess Patrice Burwell as president, the Liturgical Dance Ministry with Deaconess Doris Waiters as the initial coordinator with the current coordinators: Sister Niquane Smith and Sister Tonya Motley; the Youth Ministry with the following members of our church appointed as Youth Ministers: Reverend Shirley A. Morgan and Reverend Lisa Good (we now have a combined Youth/Young Adult Ministry with Deaconess Patrice Burwell as director, Sister Adaviah Ward as president and Reverend Christopher Carter as Youth Minister); the Pastor’s Aides which has been renamed the Shepherd’s Assistants with Sister Virginia Moody serving as president. Pastor Morgan has consecrated six ministers, eleven deacons, and eight deaconesses, set aside ten junior deacons, and four junior deaconesses, and appointed thirteen women as Church Mothers. In addition, we have purchased the following: a parsonage (paid off in two and a half years instead of fifteen), a new van (paid for with cash), and an organ.

Under the leadership of Pastor Morgan, we have learned the importance of Christian Education, knowing that meditating on God’s Word is more important than secular education in that the knowledge of God’s Word is sure to bring about obedience in following His Word. Knowing this as truth and using as a guide, 2 Timothy 2:15, Pastor Morgan implemented a Teacher’s Training class with students in MPBC and throughout the Capitol District, a Six-Week New Disciples Class (assuring that new members including our youth learn basic knowledge of God’s Word) and the Board of Christian Education, with the following members serving as directors: Reverend Frank Turner, Sr., Deaconess Mary E. Williams and Deaconess Doris Waiters, who is our current director.

Pastor Morgan has served as Area #3 Vice President of the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention Inc., as a certified instructor of Baptist Doctrine for the Hudson River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association (HRFMBA) and the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention, Inc. He also teaches Articles of Faith and History of Baptists and most recently was appointed as a dean for Sunday School Publishing. He is also serving as Assistant Financial Secretary of the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention, Inc.

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church has never been without efficient and faithful church officers and with this said, has appointed Deacon Henry Howard as chair and Deacon Larry Burwell as vice chair of our deacons. Deacon Michael Good “A Deacon Par Excellence” has served for over 20 years as chair but now officially has been appointed as Deacon Emeritus.

The Building Fund Committee implemented during Pastor Morgan’s tenure explored options to build/add a new edifice to the existing building with the assistance of the following Building Fund Chairs: Brothers Andrew Adams and Don Young. The plans to move forward with a new building have ceased but renovations have begun to this building. We have installed a new sound and security system with audio plus renovated the bathroom off from the choir room, paved the existing lot with the hopes of adding a new fence soon, the kitchen utility room has been renovated, and windows in the clerk’s office and conference room have been restored. The replacement of the windows in the sanctuary is pending along with the installation of a new carpet on the second level.

On October 7, 2023, after prayerful consideration, Pastor Morgan announced his retirement after serving this great church for twenty-five years. We accepted his decision knowing as it states in Ecclesiastes 3:1, ” To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” He preached his last sermon on Sunday, March 31, 2024.

On February 14, 2024 after a brief illness, our Minister of Music, Brother Dennis Lee Edney transitioned from this life to eternity after serving the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church for over 40 years. Faithful, dedicated, committed, and anointed are a few words that describe this great minstrel of God. As a result, Pastor Morgan renamed the Senior Choir to the Dennis Lee Edney Music Ministry and appointed Deaconess Patrice Burwell as our Director of Music.

On February 23, 2025, during a brief call meeting led by the chair of our Diaconate Ministry, Deacon Henry J. Howard, Reverend Christopher J. Carter Sr., was voted as our sixth Pastor. He gladly accepted our call. He is a blessed father of four, Destiny, Christopher Jr., Christee, and Christian. This milestone in the history of our church was sealed with an installation service on April 12, 2025, followed by a meet/greet reception held at the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, coordinated by Deaconess Ruth Howard, with the Décor Design Coordinator, Sister Linda Roland and hosted by our Hospitality Ministry (Sis. Mary Pressley-Smoaks, Sister Myra Coleman-Pugh, and Sister Eunice Davenport). There were approximately 75 in attendance.

During his short tenure, Pastor Carter has added to our Diaconate Ministry, Deacon Danny Lawrie along with six new disciples, giving their lives to Jesus Christ. To God Be the Glory! Mount Pleasant, we are still here, standing on God’s promises, so let’s continue as “One Body in Christ, strive together in Christian Unity and Love to become more like Christ.

Humbly submitted,
Sis. Virginia Moody, May 2025