“In 1780, a group of Methodists gathered on a hill above the present church site and constructed a simple platform that served as a pulpit for preaching services. The hill formed a natural amphitheater, and during these early gatherings, the congregation sat on logs. At one point, a member remarked how pleasant it was to worship there, thus giving rise to the name Mount Pleasant.”

By around 1804, those involved in these meetings officially organized the Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church. Among the early members were the Garrisons, Meaders, Ragsdales, and Wilmots. The Wilmots donated the land, and soon after, a log church, meeting arbor, and cabins were constructed. The cemetery saw its first burial in 1814.

One of the key figures in the church’s early history was Rev. Jedidiah Garrison, believed—along with his sons—to be among the organizers of the congregation. Born in 1752 in Carteret County, North Carolina, Garrison served in the Continental Line during the American Revolution. In 1786, he embraced the Methodist faith and began serving as a lay preacher. Some years later, he moved with his family to Franklin County, Georgia, where he became deeply involved with Mount Pleasant.

He remained devoted to the church until his death on April 9, 1830. His obituary, published in the Christian Advocate (a Methodist newspaper), simply stated: “…he spent the remainder of his days in the faithful discharge of his duties to God and man.”

Both of his sons—Rev. David Garrison and Rev. Levi Garrison were ordained by the great Bishop Francis Asbury and became prominent Methodist ministers. Rev. David is buried beside his father at Mount Pleasant, while Rev. Levi rests at Providence United Methodist Church in Anderson County, South Carolina.

In 1834, Rev. David Garrison deeded three acres of land to the church trustees. That same year, a new log church was constructed on the site, which also served as a school until the early 1900s.

The church’s current sanctuary was built in 1883 and was dedicated on November 11 of that year by Rev. Thomas O. Rory. Additional developments followed: Sunday School classrooms were added in 1915 and 1941, a kitchen was built in 1975, and a steeple was installed in 1993.

Mount Pleasant shares a significant connection with Mount Olivet Methodist Church, located just down the road. During the turbulent years leading up to the Civil War, the national Methodist Episcopal Church fractured over the issue of slavery. That divide extended to Mount Pleasant. Rev. Marion Ragsdale, a local preacher who opposed slavery, left Mount Pleasant with like-minded family and congregants to found Mount Olivet Methodist Episcopal Church.

When the northern and southern branches of Methodism reunited in 1939, Mount Pleasant and Mount Olivet began sharing a pastor under the Homer Methodist Circuit. Though the membership at Mount Pleasant United Methodist is small today, the congregation proudly cares for its historic church and legacy. Over the years, at least 15 members have gone on to serve in Methodist ministry.

The cemetery at Mount Pleasant contains 380 graves, including 40 bearing the Garrison name. Among them are the tragic stories of Martin Garrison’s sons—six of whom served in the Civil War, with only one surviving. Census records from 1860 show that Martin had few assets and owned no slaves. Three of his children, ages 34, 30, and 28, were still living at home and listed as having no occupation. Their condition was recorded simply as “pauper.”

Southern cemeteries are filled with stories like these—stories that remind us the Civil War was a rich man’s war, but a poor man’s fight. The tale of the Garrison boys can be found in the final photo of the cemetery below.

Be sure to click and scroll through the photos to learn more about this remarkable church with roots that stretch back to the 18th century.