The Old Ministry’s Shop (circa 1812) remains as a reminder of the elegant simplicity of many earlier Shaker buildings at Pleasant Hill. It also reflects the Shaker principle that the Ministry should not blend in with the rest of the community. The two men (elders) and two women (eldresses) were required to eat, live, and work separately from others. While they controlled every aspect of Shaker life, they rarely worshipped with Shaker families in the Meeting House; they observed the proceedings from small windows that provided a view of the main meeting room.