To some, it’s “that church right next to Texas Southern.” But to so many others, it’s a safe haven and a ray of hope in a world darkened by doubt.
That place is Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ (3115 Blodgett St. Houston, 77004). Though it feels like PCUCC has been in Third Ward forever, it didn’t relocate to “The Tre” until 1965. In a few days, on Saturday, Oct. 26, to be exact, PCUCC will celebrate its 120th anniversary with an Anniversary Gala at the InterContinental Houston Hotel, Medical Center (6750 Main St, Hoston, 77030).
HISTORY
The Reverend G. B. M. Turner and educator E. O. Smith organized Pilgrim Congregational Church, Houston’s first African American Congregational church in 1904. Early services were held in Turner’s home, then structures were built in 1907 and 1914.
After a 1936 fire, the church met in temporary quarters for several years. The church’s name was changed to Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in 1957 after the denominational merger of the Congregational Christian churches and the Evangelical and Reformed church.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
A large part of PCUCC’s testimony is its ongoing history of community impact and service.
Food Pantry
Pilgrim has addressed the need to bridge the food disparity gap with our over 50-year-old food pantry ministry, Manna House, and The Third Ward Food Pantry. This pantry is a coalition comprised of four churches and is housed on the Pilgrim church campus.
Senior Housing
Pilgrim has also been able to recognize the need for senior housing throughout the city of Houston. We have been able to partner with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and sponsor three senior housing communities on the north and south sides of Houston, namely Pilgrim Place 1, 2, and 3.
Credit Union
Another deep-felt need Pilgrim addressed was the financial challenges Black families had in the area. Because many banks in the early 1960s would not loan money to black families, our pastor, Rev. John D. Moore, established a church credit union. Through its 61-year history, the Pilgrim Federal Credit Union has continued to meet the financial needs of Pilgrim members and their families.
COVID Vaccines
Pilgrim proudly partnered with the Harris County Health Department to offer COVID-19 vaccines to children and adults at our community center location. The five “clinics” met this critical need to over 150 people from the community.
ANNIVERSARY
Native Houstonian Rev. A. Keith Edwards, became Senior Pastor of PCUCC in January 2013, and he is more than ready for his congregation’s anniversary celebration.
“The anniversary theme, ‘Celebrating Our History of Faith and Promise for the Future,’ is about highlighting how God is sustaining us and to focus on His complete blessings towards Pilgrim,” said Edwards. “But we are clear in all that we do, we are not here to ‘pull weeds, we are here to sow seeds,’ and that is what we have done from the inception and will continue to do until Christ comes.”
For more information about PCUCC’s anniversary celebration visit www.pilgrimchurchhouston.com or email pcucc120years@gmail.com.
