Lexington in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

1854

Mt Pleasant Baptist Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Deborah Spencer, August 22, 2026

1. Mt Pleasant Baptist Church Marker

Inscription.
The Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church was established November 30, 1854, at a newly constructed residence on Highway 101 in Lexington. Murrell Askew assisted with the establishment of this church and is the first recorded pastor. There were 31 charter members. The next meeting place was built in 1875 at McClure Springs, about two miles south of Lexington near Mill Creek on property donated by J.M. McClure. The building was 40 feet by 25 feet and, because of its size, local folks nicknamed it "Old Scrouge Out." The nearby creek was used for baptizing for many years. This building was relocated to CR 104, remodeled and used as a residence for many years. In 1905, a tent revival was held at this location. A large wooden structure was built here later. It was painted white and had large support columns inside that were used to hold lamps and for hanging coats and hats. In 1948, a block-and-concrete building replaced the wooden structure. In the 1950's, educational space was added and in 1967 the current sanctuary was constructed. Additional education and fellowship facilities were added in 1987. This church was originally a

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part of the Liberty Baptist Association. Later it was a charter member of the Colbert-Lauderdale Baptist Association when it was established in 1932.

(Reverse Side)
Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church has been involved with three mission churches. In 1859, the first was located at Kingtown, about four miles south of Lexington, near Highway 101. It was known as Salem and began with 15 members from the Mt. Pleasant Church. The second mission church was located about 8 miles SE of Lexington. It began in 1936 where services were first held in a brush arbor. This resulted in the New Hope Baptist Church being established on CR 76. The third church was located about 6 miles south of Lexington in the Springfield Community in the late 1950's. It became the Springfield First Baptist Church. Williams School was located adjacent to the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church property, at the corner of CR71 and CR478. This school operated from the 1890's until the early 1940's. Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, located behind the church, is on property donated by Steth Williams, who was the first person to be buried there in 1921. The cemetery was enlarged in

Mt Pleasant Baptist Church Marker (back) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Deborah Spencer, August 22, 2026

2. Mt Pleasant Baptist Church Marker (back)

1984 when additional property was purchased from the sale of the Williams Estate. U.S. Army SP4 Don Leslie Michael, Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, is buried here. He was born in Lexington on July 31, 1947 and died a hero on April 8, 1967 at the age of 19.

Erected 2022 by East Lauderdale Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is April 8, 1967.

Location. 34° 56.107′ N, 87° 24.064′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is on County Road 71 0.1 miles north of County Road 478, on the right when traveling north. Located in front of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8880 Co Rd 71, Lexington AL 35648, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

Mt Pleasant Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Deborah Spencer, August 22, 2026

3. Mt Pleasant Baptist Church

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Andrew Lee Phillips (approx. 2.9 miles away); Early History of Lexington (approx. 3 miles away); French-Glover Farm (approx. 3.2 miles away); Springfield Community / Springfield Church and School (approx. 3.3 miles away); Gabriel Butler Cemetery (approx. 4½ miles away); Gabriel “Old Gabe” Butler (approx. 4.6 miles away); Jesse James Gang Canal Payroll Robbery / Trial of Frank James (approx. 5.6 miles away); Cherokee Chief Doublehead's Village Around 1800 (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Grave of Don Leslie Michael image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Deborah Spencer, August 22, 2026

4. Grave of Don Leslie Michael

Grave of Don Leslie Michael (under flagpole) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Deborah Spencer, August 22, 2026

5. Grave of Don Leslie Michael (under flagpole)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2026, by Deborah Spencer of Huntsville, Alabama. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 29, 2026, by Deborah Spencer of Huntsville, Alabama. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.