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Lord who dost give to the Church for its healing, Gifts and all grace to sustain and anew, Hear as we pray that today and tomorrow, We to thy purpose may show ourselves true. Tender and wise be the hearts of the pastors, Guiding and guarding the souls in their care, Firm with the way-ward, a strength to the doubting, Helping the needy their burdens to bear. Lord ever give us gifts in due measure, Each needing other, and all having worth; So to the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, Glory Be shown by the church here on earth.
It was with such a commitment that John and Alice Pouncy seeing the needs of this community were led to establish the Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. On November 11, 1925, the Pouncy family along with Bro. Eddie Bush, Bro. and Sis. Mose Watkins, and Bro. E. Garrett organized the Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. The group called for its first minister, the Rev. S. H. Saul ministered to the congregation for one year.
The Rev. A. J. Inman was called to the church pastorate and served for approximately two years
In 1929, this body of Christian believers were again without a leader, but the prayers of the righteous prevaileth much. The God with his great wisdom, placed the Rev. John E. Jenkins at the helm. A preacher, a teacher, a builder, and a leader. Pastor Jenkins was all of these things. The church moved from the brush arbor to its first frame building. A great Gospel preacher, he witnessed and led many souls to Christ. Rev. Jenkins served as the second moderator of the Independent District Association. God willed that he should lead Mt. Pilgrim for 17 years, and in 1946, he was called from labor to reward.
The Lord is our God, and He has given us light. Psalm 118:27. So came the Rev. Henry D. Cummings to Mt. Pilgrim. A man of great insight, Pastor Cummings saw the need for a church parsonage and the congregation was led to erect the parsonage which still stand with additions a the Roger Street site. His tenure ended in 1952. God does not leave his sheep to wander aimlessly without a shepherd. So on the fourth Sunday in December the church having been fervently in prayer was led to call the Rev. Travis Emerson Spiller.
God be merciful to us and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us. Psalm 67:1. Pastor Spiller evangelized, he taught, he preached, and he showed us that all things are possible if we only believe.
It was under his direction that our present sanctuary was erected at a time when said it could not be done. Under his tutelage, that the parsonage was remodeled three times. We purchased our first organ, bought additional property to expand, and centrally air-conditioned and heated our building. Mt. Pilgrim saw a vision and a dream became a reality. The building now stands as a monument to those saints both living and dead who labored in love for its existence. Pastor Spiller's work was completed July 7, 1968, after fifteen years, six-months, and seven days of labor.
Surely he hath borne our grief and carried our sorrows." So came the Rev. Abraham E. Campbell as our chosen leader. One of the Lord's eloquent orators, Pastor Campbell was called to minister in December of 1968. He envisioned great things for Mt. Pilgrim and led many souls to Christ. During his tenure, the church purchased additional properties to expand. Rev. Campbell was called to the Temple Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio in 1971.
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when you pray believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. The Rev. Melvin Wade was called by the Mt. Pilgrim Family in January of 1972. His ministry was focused on spiritual, numerical and financial growth. Under his leadership the church purchased the Woods, Williams, and Pouncy properties located directly across the street from the church at 909 East 32 1/2 St., where Mt. Pilgrim was founded. Rev. wade was called by the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of Los Angeles, California in September of 1975.
In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known to God. "Such were the prayers and petition and the Lord heard our pleas and directed the Rev. George T. Curry to pastor Mt. Pilgrim in January of 1976. Pastor Curry has sought to meet the total needs of his congregation. We are now blessed to have a hospital ministry, a Sunday School Bus ministry, the organization of Concerned Parents and Friends, the Junior Mission, the Pastor's Choir, and the young People's Usher Board, all under his direction. Pastor Curry led the membership to purchase the Roger Street property on which the church parsonage is now located, with an attached double garage. The house previously located on the Roger Street site was sold and relocated on 32nd Street.
Pastor George T. Curry, Sr. is a visionary. Souls have been added to our church through teaching, revivals, workshops and enrichment programs for children and adults. We have seen a tremendous growth in our church's spirituality, membership, music and usher departments. The year of 1983 saw Mt. Pilgrim being blessed above measure. The church purchased the property at 902 East 32 1/2 Street, and on May 15th we saw the ground breaking on the site which now houses our Multi-Purpose Building. The structure was built for classrooms, social functions, etc.
We thank God for all of the programs presently in progress including: the bus ministry, the scholarship program, the Men In Action and United Women's Ministry, our departmental Sunday School. Our music depart includes three full time musicians and a youth musician. There are one hundred and fifty members in the music department and in 2002 we saw the formation of a Music Committee to enhance the structure of the music department. In addition to these programs, a well-rounded scouting program serves our Boy Scout and Cub Scout members started in the early 1960's. We are also blessed with the formation of a Girl Scout Troop. Moreover, the Resource Development Committee, established in 2001, offers government assistance programs for our church.
Through the leadership of our Pastor and the Church Officers, we now see an educational building completed in 2003 that serves the membership's many activities with large classrooms; new office and restroom facilities; an elevator to the second floor that house a spacious area for our Children's Worship. Through the foresight of our trustees, Pastor Curry's office was recently renovated to a state-of-the-art facility. We stop to mourn the passing our Jubilee members who served this congregation with pride and dignity. In this, the Year of Our Lord 2004, we thank God for all of our many blessings as we will celebrate Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church's 79th Anniversary.
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