A Brief History of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church #3
Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church #3 was established in 1895, in the modest Negro community known as West Rock. Elijah Taylor served as the first pastor. Among the early pastors of Pilgrim Rest who served in our one room facility were: Rev.Nathaniel Powell, Rev. Roma J. Williams, and Rev. Riley Wilson. The cornerstone for the secon
d building was had in 1914 under the pastoral guidance of Rev. C.C. Porter. The B.Y P.U, was organized by Sis. Lula McMullen, the first president. Joe Brown became our seventh pastor, and his wife, Sis. Lucy Sally Brown organized the music department in 1914. George Marcus was our eighth pastor. He was followed by Rev. L. Lovelace from 1924-1927. J. B. Bames led Pilgrim Rest from 1927-1950. L.E. Highshaw and Rev. Calvin Johnson. In 1959 Pilgrim Rest and the West Rock community fell to the devastation of Urban Renewal. They were uprooted and scattered throughout the city. The Eveready and Willing Worker fellowships were formed at this time to keep the membership in religious harmony and Christian unity. During this time Pilgrim Rest worshiped at the YMCA at 9 and Ringo Streets and later at the Masonic Lodge on 10 and Ringo. Willie Wafer served as interim pastor during this time. The land at our current sight was purchased and Rev. O. Wilson was selected as pastor in
1961 to guide Pilgrim Rest through the building of a new edifice and becoming a part of the Granite Mountain community. He retired in 1983 and served as Pastor Emeritus until his death in 1991. Nathaniel Floyd served as pastor from 1983 until 2002. Brent Foster, under whose leadership our current edifice was built. Foster was followed in 2010 by Rev. James Forte, who was called home on November 26, 2011. James Clanton served as interim pastor until Rev. Cedric Payne was selected pastor. He served until 2019. God sent Rev. Harold Shirlee, who served as interim pastor for a year, until his election as pastor on July 14, 2019. Deacon Harrison Johnson served as Chairman of the Deacon Board for over 25 years. He retired and was made Chairman Emeritus in 2022. Deacon Russell Guess was unanimously selected to serve as chairman. Members of four legacy families are still a part of Pilgrim Rest: Bro. George Storay; Deacon Russell Guess and Bro. Joseph Guess; Sis. Diane Threet and Bro. Ronald Smith; Sis. Kay Pansy. Sis. Saundra Williams: Sis. Rita Butler and Bro. Sidney Pansy. III. We continue to be prayerful and look forward to our future service to God. God is at the heart of Pilgrim Rest. We thank Him for our blessings and we are committed to His service.
