Pilgrim Baptist Church - Centennial Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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Deacons - Deaconesses Board, 1946: Left to right, first row, L. E. Tarver, G. W. Wills, N. N. Smith, Rev. Massey, Frank Simpson, Chairman, W. V. Howard. Second row: Monroe Duncan, Foster Phillips, Simon Arnold, N. J. Hunter, George Downey. Third row, Deaconesses: Lydia Brown, Anna Black, Lillie Downey, Stella Arnold, Alice jackson, Azzie Stephens, Chairman, Josephine Todd, Myrtle Oliver, Annie Banks, Alberta Bell, Cordelia Hunter, Hannah Massey fRev. Massey's motherj. Exif Board of Trustees, 1946: Left to right, first row, Harry Ballard, B. L. Morris, Queen Ransome, M, A. Bolling, Chair- man, Dr. Massey, Effie Wills, Elizabeth Hall, Archie Ragland, S. E Hall. Second row: I. S. Wooten, james Murray, B. F. Taylor, Edmond Moore, I. M. Dorsey, john Lawrence, Charles jack- son, Robert Williams.

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Early Deacon Board During L. W. Harris Administra- tion, 1927: Left to right, front row, Benjamin Stephens, William Howard, John B. johnson, George james, George Wills. Back row: Charles Walker, Thaddeus Stepp, William Hood, William Black. Early Choir, L. W. Harris Administration, 1953, Left to right, first row, A. V. Hall, Mary Young, Berdella Sheldon Cora Belle Banks, Birdie High, Earline Walker, Shelley Lewis, Freda Harris, Helen Lawrence, Hattie Hall. Second row: Timothy Howard, Emma Hood, Ruth Brown, Mattie Rhodes, Ermine Allen, Icesam Oliver, Cora Dilling- ham, Ted Harris, jr., C. David Milligan, -Ir. Third row: Leonard Oliver, james Cooke, james Combs, Emily Harris, Elizabeth Hall, Annie jordan, Alberta Pleasant James Murphy, A, J. Lewis, Fred Sheldon. Opening Day, Pilgrim Baptist Church, 1928

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Pastors of Pilgrim Church 1. Rev. Robert Hickman - 1863-1886 9. Rev. W. D. Carter - 1900-1909 2. Rev. Bird Wilkins - 1886-1887 10. Rev. E. W. McDonald - 1910-1914 3. Rev. William Gray - 1887-1889 11. Rev. B. N. Murrell - 1914-1918 4. Rev. Lewis C. Sheafe - 1889-1893 12. Rev. B. H. Hodge - 1918-1920 5. Rev. Robinson C. Quarles - 1893-1895 13. Rev. L. W. Harris - 1922-1938 6. Rev. D. Underwood - 1895-1896 14. Rev. S. E. Ware - 1941-1944 7, Rev, B, B, HiIl,- 1897 15. Rev. Floyd Massey, jr. - 1944- 8. Rev. D. S. Orner - 1898-1900 HA Look At Pilgrim's Progressw The history of Pilgrim Baptist Church, St. Paul, Minnesota, had its inception in 1863 when Rev. Robert T. Hickman, a slave licensed as a preacher in Missouri, and about fifty other slaves escaped by way of the underground to the Union Army lines at jefferson City, Missouri. Traveling on to a Mississippi River Port, they embarked on the Steamer l'War Eagle for St. Paul, Minnesota. They were disembarked at Fort Snell- ing where they were kept while citizens of St. Paul decided what should be done with them. Later, they were split into three groups and the group that re- mained in St. Paul, led by Rev. Hickman, founded Pilgrim Baptist Church. Early meetings were held in a music hall on Third Street. For some years the congregation had difficulty finding meeting places and shifted from one hall to another, then a church was built on Sibley Street. Later this building was moved to Cedar Street near Thirteenth. Around the beginning of the century, this building was incorporated into a larger structure which was used until the present edifice was constructed in 1928 during the able pastorate of the late Dr. L. W. Harris. History records that Rev. Hickman served from 1863 to 1886 and during his ministry he was instrumental in establishing the firm roots from which Pilgrim Baptist has nurtured and grown throughout the past one- hundred years. It is Minnesota's oldest and largest predominantly Negro Church, Further, during the ad- ministration of Rev. Hickman, under authority of the church, two mission churches were organized . , . Zion Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota and another church at Hastings, Minnesota. The Sunday School development was on a parallel with that of the church, satisfactory in every detail. The children were well indoctrinated and preserved to the denomination. Some of the early Sunday School Superintendents included Brothers: G. W. Prescott, Robert jordan, A. M. Torbet, Orlo Rogers, Thomas G. Merrill, H. C. Hobart, J. H. Hickman, Charles Martin, D. E. Beasley, G. W. James, Mrs. Lillian Turner, George W. Willis and Marion Bolling. During the period 1870-1880 the following brothers and sisters served in the capacities indicated: Church Clerks . . . Brothers William H. Griffin, H, Hickman, james Henry, Clarence jones, Charles Martin, George W. James, Oliver Blidge, G. W. Wills and Sisters Ann Durant and Fanny Dodd, Deacons . . . H. Moffit, john Trotter, Ben McHandy, D. E. Talbert, J. Combs, Sr., Andrew jackson, Clement Seymour, J. H. Hickman and Clarence Jones, Trustees . . . D. E. Talbert, F. Combs, 10 Anderson Peters and Andrew Jackson, Church Treas- urers . . . F. Combs, lr., H. Combs, Ann Durant, Charles Martin, H, Hickman, Allen, B. john- son and Alf Roberson. Unfortunately, the records be- tween 1880-1890 have been misplaced and we are unable to give the succession for the intervening years. The Rev. Bird Wilkins succeeded Rev. Hickman. He pastored from 1886 to 1887. It was during his pastorate that the Cedar Street church was built. Rev. Wilkins was followed by the Rev. William Gray who administered the needs of the congregation until 1889. The next pastor was Rev. Lewis C. Sheafe who served til 1893. Rev, Robinson C. Quarles succeeded Rev. Sheafe and served til 1895. Rev. D. Underwood followed him and served til 1896. The Rev. B. B. Hill pastored the church in 1897. He was followed by Rev. D. S. Orner whose tenure was from 1898 to 1900. Dr. XV. D. Carter was called to the pastorate in 1900 and served until 1909. During his tenure, Pilgrim got her first pipe organ. Mrs. Nellie Francis journeyed to New York City and persuaded the Carnegie Foundation Organ Committee to present Pilgrim with an Espey organ. It remained in service until 1958 when it was replaced by a new pipe organ. Dr. E. H. McDonald served the church 1910-1914. He was one of the first Negro graduates of the Univer- sity of Chicago. During his tenure many outstanding Evangelists were secured and a great harvest of Souls gathered into the fold. The Deacons and Trustees, on the request of the Pastor, were arrayed in Prince Alberts for Sunday Services, making a very dignified appear- ance. On many occasions Dr. McDonald took the Church on 'IA Trip Aboardu with slides taken in Lon- don. He took great pride in doing this and giving all the proceeds to the church. Once each year the Rev. McDonald and wife gave a banquet in his home for the officers of the church. The Rev. B. N. Murrell ministered the church from 1914 to 1918. lt was during his pastorate that the present church site was purchased. At this Central 8: Grotto corner stood a tiny wooden church building which was later moved to the alley to make room for the present sanctuary. In this wooden structure the St, Paul Urban League and N.A.A.C.P. were organized. The tiny wooden building was used for lavatories and meeting rooms until the Educational Unit was built. The Rev. B. H. Hodge was called in 1918 and pastored until 1919. During his pastorate, a parsonage was pur- chased at 719 St. Anthony Avenue. In 1922, Dr. Lee W, Harris was called. Dr. Harris