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A memorable occasion associated with the old church is the first public celebration of Christmas, started by Dr. McMillan. In speaking of it, one of the pioneers says: "Here we saw the first Christmas tree laden with presents from eastern missionary barrels, and here the children saw the first oranges which they thought were yellow apples. They tried to eat them with the peel­ing on, and they threw them down when they found them bitter. It was then the teachers showed them how to peel their first oranges. The tree, illuminated with wax candles, created a pic­ture the like of which we had never seen before. It supplied the topic of conversation for many a day after, and so many modern customs were brought here through the medium of the church and school that have served both to entertain and instruct its patrons."

 The question has been asked "What year was this held?"
As to the year the church was used to celebrate Christmas, no date was given by Hilda Madsen Longsorf. 

  Mt. Pleasant History by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf