Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church to celebrate 131st year

Palestine Herald-Press, Texas
·2 min read

Nov. 2—Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church will celebrate 131 years of Christian worship and service at 3 p.m. Sunday Nov. 5. The church is located at 1007 S. Fulton St. in Palestine.

The Reverend C.L. Taylor and the members of the Morning Star Baptist Church of Grand Prairie will be the special guest.

On Oct. 31, 1892, Dr. W.B. Balls, President of Guadalupe College in Seguin, along with seven men and nine women organized Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.

The South Union Church on Royall St. was the first meeting site until moving to a two-room house. For the new few years, services were moved from the house in the winter months to a tent in warmer weather.

The first pastor was the Reverend D.W. Whitting. The second pastor was Reverend J.J. Turner under whom the church grew spiritually, financially and numerically. On July 23, 1898, land was purchased to build the first church, with cash tendered of $120.

In November 1898, this dedicated group entered their first permanent edifice located in the 1300 block of S. Fulton Street. In later years, the Rev. R.B. Shiner was called and his first act was to move the church to its present location in 1928. The object for the move was city accommodation of lights, water, gas and sewage.

Reverend Shelvia H. Graham, a minister of sterling qualities, concerned himself with the spiritual and moral development of the church. He wasted no time in teaching the Lord's methods for supporting the church financially by tithing. He served for 13 years.

In 1941, the church was destroyed by fire. The church was rebuilt and dedicated in November of the same year. The church was paid for in 1943 and was financially sound.

The Reverend Joseph F. Wade, a stalwart leader with broad experiences, became the pastor in 1965. He continued all programs and inspired his congregation with many memories and his loving concern for each member. He had the longest tenure of any pastors.

The church's present pastor is Reverend Jameon Hooper. According to his congregation, he has brought a burst of energy arousing an exciting spirit of worship. Under his tenure the church has gained many new members for baptism and a great increase of members and guest to the Wednesday night Bible Study.