The History of Mountain Rest Baptist Church
Since 1858, the church has been woven into the life of this community — and we're still growing.
The story of Mountain Rest Baptist Church goes back to 1858, when a small congregation came together to form what they called the Double Springs Union Church. In those early days, members gathered in an old school building, and ten acres of land were generously donated to support the church — for the sum of $3.00.
The gift of the 10 acres was officially recorded in 1868, the same year the church building was completed.
From the start, it was a place of togetherness. Methodists and Baptists worshipped side by side, with traveling preachers coming to lead the services. The congregation even shared Sunday School materials, rotating between the publishing houses of both denominations — a small but meaningful sign of the cooperative spirit that defined this little church.
Over time, the Deacons and the membership began to feel the need for a place of worship that was truly their own — somewhere they could gather freely, guided by their own convictions. The Baptists formed a committee to make that vision a reality, and in August 1947, a building plot was donated just down the road from the Double Springs Union Church.
What followed was a true community effort — much of the materials and labor for the new Double Springs Baptist Church were given by the members themselves. The hard work paid off, and on the evening of May 27, 1951, the congregation gathered to dedicate their new church. The old Union Church, meanwhile, lives on today as the Double Springs Methodist Church.
On September 10, 1975, the congregation took on a new name — Mountain Rest Baptist Church. The change was made for several reasons, but at its heart, it was about belonging. The new name tied the church more closely to the broader community it calls home.
As the congregation continued to grow, the need for a larger space became clear. A new facility was built and dedicated on Sunday, April 11th, 1981. The old building wasn't lost to history, though — it found new life when it was relocated to Whetstone Road and became Belmont Baptist Church.
The building has changed, the faces have changed, and the community has grown and shifted over the years — but the church remains. Rooted in traditional faith while adapting to the needs of an ever-changing world, we continue to serve our neighbors in the community God has placed us in.