Oldest Structure in Statesville Celebrates 156 Year Anniversary
Mount Pleasant (Center Street) African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Many Statesville buildings have unique stories that tell of deep roots in our community. One of those is the Mount Pleasant A.M.E. Zion Church, at 237 South Center Street. The church is the oldest structure associated with a black congregation in the city of Statesville. It is also the only African American edifice in Statesville to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rev. Dr. J C White and members invite the public to celebrate their 156th anniversary (1868-2024) on Sunday, May 19, at the 11:00 am service.
As part of the service, the group will travel to the Green Street Cemetery to place a wreath on the grave of church founder, Alfred Bailey. The other church founder, Rev. Sidney Smith Murdock’s grave has not been found. Smith was the first pastor of Mount Pleasant.
Building History
The physical landmark that is Mount Pleasant was at first a set of two framed buildings which served the congregation until the construction of the current brick structure in 1903. The total cost for the original building was $4,500.
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon on June 24, 1903, the Rev. W.A. Blackwell laid the cornerstone of the brand-new Mount Pleasant A.M.E. Zion church. The brickwork detail was quite elaborate for the time and remains a unique and beautiful structure to this day. The architecture of the church hearkens back to Italian cathedrals with a large, pointed arch filled with hand-made stained-glass windows as the central feature.
Facing the rising sun in the east, these windows show brilliant hues during Sunday morning services. High above the main set of stained-glass windows reaching almost to the peak of the gabled roof is a single round window with the Star of David. The names of the founders, Sidney S. Murdock and Alfred Bailey are etched under the Star of David.
To each side elevation are exhibited pointed-arch stained-glass windows between brick arches and brick pilasters. As one walks inside the building you are struck by the grand pipes composed of beautiful gold and tan mounted directly behind the pulpit and the choir loft. Over the years the grand pipe organ has suffered irreparable damage. The grand pipe organ has been replaced with another organ; however, the beautiful gold pipes remain in their hallowed position.
In recent years, the church has undergone several structural repairs and renovations.
