The Pilgrim Rest
Missionary Baptist Church
was organized in September 1935 by the late Rev. S. G. Gooden
Sr. Our church unlike other edifices was not organized in a
dwelling, but under a tree in the yard of the late Mother Callie
Murray at 2310 Rough Street.
Pastor Gooden always depended on God and acted according to the
direction of the Holy Spirit, rented a three-room house on Caddo
Alley, now known as Lilly Street. Here services were
confined to the front room with an apple box for a pulpit and
lanterns for light. As our membership grew, partitions were
removed to make room for those who came to worship with us.
In
September 1947, the first brick building was erected at 2525
Caddo.
March
1, 1958, the lord called Rev. Gooden home. We were faced with
the problem of making decisions without his guidance. However,
recalling his last message to us, "Let Not Your Hearts Be
Troubled", (St. John 14:1), we like the disciples when Christ
went home, were able to continue steadfast in prayer, and on one
accord until the Lord sent us another Shepherd.
July 14,
1958, Rev G. B. Prince Jr. was called to the Pastorate of
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. After his calling Pastor Prince
immediately began working toward the clearing of all debts. He
began teaching tithing, increased man-power, organized several
auxiliaries, expanded our church by remodeling our Sanctuary and
erected a two story Educational Building.
April
9, 1983 we concluded an exchange of our Caddo Street property
with Southland Corporation for property at Washington Avenue and
Munger Avenue. A groundbreaking service for our new church was
held August 14, 1983. November 10, 1985, 7:30a.m. We entered our
new church home our vision, hopes and dreams had been
accomplished.
After
thirty-one years of faithful service to this church, like the
mighty Oak, his work was finished. Pastor Prince went home to be
with his Master to enjoy Him Eternally.
Following a nine-month period without a Pastor, the Pilgrim Rest
Family called Rev. Curtis W. Wallace, as the Pastor on January
10, 1990. Rev Wallace became the third Pastor of the Pilgrim
Rest Baptist Church in their proud 55-year history. We
considered this man of God to be the Joshua that would lead us
to higher heights in Kingdom building. Under Pastor Wallace's
leadership our membership has grown considerably. Countless
ministries have been added and we continue to enhance the
Kingdom of God. Pastor Wallace teaches the church members in
order to send them out into the community to bring others to
Christ. He stresses that the work of the church is to be seen
different from church work.
Outreach and Evangelism ministries such as The Prison Ministry,
Soul Winners Action Team (S.W.A.T.), the Crisis Ministry, Boys
to Men male mentoring program and the Adopt-A-School Program
became part of Pastor Wallace’s vision of reclaiming the
neighborhood and community. Mending the spirits of those who
are lost and broken hearted also became part of Pastor’s
emphasis for the church.
Due
to planting seed in fertile ground and watering under Pastor
Wallace’s leadership, God has truly given us increase. To this
church family more than 4,500 souls have been added to the
Kingdom of God.
We
look back in order to learn from our mistakes; we also look back
to be encouraged by what God has done for us. However, we
cannot rest upon what has already been done; we must continue to
press toward the mark of the higher calling, which is in Christ
Jesus, realizing there are fresh endeavors, greater
accomplishments, and new victories that must be won.
