And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, upon this rock I will build my Church and the he gates of hell shall not prevail against it. " Matthew 16:18 The History of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church Four ministers tried unsuccessfully to purchase this church property. Namely, Rev. J.J. Carter, Rev. W.B. Vulling, Rev. S.J. Sanders, II, and Rev. W.M. Jackson. In the year of our Lord, 1942, in the month of April, Rev. J.H. McNeely was called to take charge of 12 members. The church spiritual morale was very low. Rev. McNeely offered his program after careful consideration. Through this our members realized that Rev. McNeely was the Moses to lead them out of the wilderness to the land of promise. In 1942 with no money, no place to worship this property was purchased on the 19th day of December and was then incorporated. There was a re-enactment of sale. The church was then changed from Allen Hausey's name to the now named Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. This property had to be remodeled into a church building at a cost of $3,500.00. The notes were burned in 1950, leaving the old Pilgrim a debt free church. A law was passed by the city stating that all wooden framed church buildings would have to be demolished ..- as they were considered to be fire hazards. Pilgrim was condemned and demolished. ? Being a pastor sent by God, Rev. McNeely and his members did not give up. This building was assembled at a cost of $65,729.00. On March 28, 1965, the note was burned, again leaving Pilgrim a debt free church. We cannot forget to mention while this church was being built, the late Rev. J. Francis and his members opened their church doors, letting Pilgrim members hold services at Pilgrim Progress Baptist Church at no cost. The Louisiana Freedman Missionary General Association loaned Pilgrim $1,500.00 and gave $100.00 to this church. Rev. McNeely organized the Deacon Board, Deaconess Board, Jr. Deaconess Board, Senior Choir, Usher Boards I and II, Baptist Training Union (BTU), Sunday school, Pastor's Aid Club, and Junior Mission. As you can see, the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. On June 19, 1972, Rev. Joseph Henry McNeely passed this life. The church was then _guided by the late Bro. Allen Hausey until January 5, 1973. On January 5, 1973, Rev. Leon Howard was called to Pilgrim. He served for nine years. Jnder his leadership, the Youth and Young Adult Usher Board, the Inspirational Choi und the Beautifying Club were organized. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Ret Howard was unable to complete his pastoral duties and was relieved in June of 1982 Deacon William Blacher, Chairman of the Deacon Board, carried out the responsibilities of leadership until December 19, 1982. The Lord then sent Rev. David Arceneaux, formerly an associate minister at the Historic Second Baptist Church. Rev. Arceneaux brought new ideas and he led the church as God led him. Rev. Arceneaux's courage and abilities were tested by a fire on January 3, 1984 which completely gutted the interior of the church, destroying the pews, alter furniture and instruments. All that was left was a shell of Pilgrim. But like the three Hebrew Boys, Rev. Arceneaux along with Deacon William Blacher, the Deacon Board, and members, put their trust in God, and by God a way was made out of no way. While repairs were being made, Rev. Thomas Nelson Washington and the members 9 of Historic Second Baptist Church opened their doors to us to continue holding our Sunday services. The entire interior of Pilgrim was remodeled and all the pews and furnishings were replaced. Before the fire Pilgrim suffered through hot summers with faulty window units. Without having to come up with any additional funds we now have central air and heat. Surely God does all things well. And Pilgrim remained debt free. supply all our needs according to His riches in glory," so says the Word of God. Under the leadership of Rev. Arceneaux the Senior Mission II, the Mid-Day Ushers, Pilgrim Prayer Partners, Pilgrim's Youth Crusaders for Christ, Pilgrim's Women Prayer/Supper Group and the Bi-Annual Bible Institute was organized. Rev. Arceneaux also taught Bible class every Monday night. On August 16, 1989 Rev. Arceneaux submitted his resignation, effective August 27, 1989. After the resignation of Rev. Arceneaux, the spiritual morale of the church was again very low. Attendance at the Sunday eleven o'clock service dropped, and some members actually left the church. Pilgrim was again without a pastor. Deacon Blacher along with the Louisiana Freedmen Missionary Baptist General Association held Pilgrim together. The members of Pilgrim prayed together for fifteen days, asking the Lord for a pastor. As a result of the church's prayer, God stopped a young man at the burning bush of need, just as he stopped Moses at the burning bush at Mount Horeb, and ordained this young man, who had previously served for three years as organist for this church, and who had recently been re-hired to that position, and sent him to our despairing congregation. Through this young man, God rejuvenated and breathe new Spiritual life into our congregation. On October 25, 1989, Re. Frantz C. Dunn, III was elected as pastor. Under his leadership the church has grown spiritually and financially and the church's membership has increased. Several baptismal services have been held in which many new converts have been baptized. Due to the spiritual growth of the church, the Lord laid on the hearts of many former members to re-unite with our church. Thirty-six new members were added within the first six months of Rev. Dunn's leadership. Under the leadership of our pastor and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our church acquired the adjoining property for the purpose of making a parking lot for our members to use during church services and other church related activities. On May 31, 1991, Rev. Dunn, Deacon Blacher, and the late Deacon Roosevelt Smith, on behalf of the Officers and Members of Pilgrim, completed the act of sale for the properties located at 2233-2235,2237-2239 South Liberty Street and 2236-2238,2240-2242 LaSalle Street. The property was cleared to allow us to have off street parking for the first time in the history of the church. The Lord placed on the heart of Sis. Elma Montgomery to have a portion of the parking lot paved at the cost of over $1,200.00 Sis Montgomery personally paid for the paving of the first portion of the parking lot. Through the hard work of our Deacon Board, with Deacon Blacher working out the finances and Deacon Major White soliciting economic but qualified cement finishers, our Deacon Board worked tireless to level and build up the parking lot, and then to pave a large remaining portion of our parking lot. Our parking area can now be use for not only parking, but for car washes, basketball, and other activities such as out door revival. Under the leadership of Rev. Frantz C. Dunn,III the Young People's Bible Class and the Hour of Power has been instituted and taught by Rev. Dunn. The Inspirational Choir has been reorganized under the leadership of Sis. Joycelyn Hayes. The church held its first revival in six years. The church has sponsored and presented two Easter dramas. The Easter sunrise service has been reinstituted. The first African History drama and the first Drama Club was organized and is now under the leadership of sis. Vibah Brown. The Pastor, Deacon and Trustee Boards have begun to work together, with two Deacons being reinstated to the Deacon Board: Deacon Robert Conner and Deacon Able White. Also, three new Deacons have been added to the Board: Deacon Edmond Maxwell, Deacon Louis Pearley and Deacon David Sumrall. Our church's young people are going to the National Baptist Sunday School and BTU Congress for the first time in fifty years. The church's Male Chorus has been reorganized and the Cherub Choir has been reorganized. Under Rev. Dunn's leadership our church's Vacation Bible School has been re-instituted. In reminiscing over our church's history let us not forget to mention some of our church's associate ministers such as the late Rev. Ben Perkins, the late Rev. William Matthews, and the late Rev. Willie Harris and Rev. George Conners, who was a member of Galatia Baptist Church. Rev. Jesse Spellman served faithfully in this church for many, many years. He was always the Pastor's right hand man through the administrations of Rev. J.H. McNeely, Rev. Leon Howard, Rev. David Arceneaux and during the first two years of the pastorate of Rev. Dunn. Rev. Spellman was always present to read a scripture, pray a prayer, sing a song, and bring the gospel message in the pastors' absence. Rev. Spellman also served as a Missionary for the Louisiana Freedmen Missionary Baptist General Association for many years. In 1991, due to his age and failing health, Rev. Spellman prayerfully decided to move to Omaha, Nebraska to live with his daughter. Rev. Spellman still keeps in touch with the church through letters and phone calls. Rev. Dunn resigned from Pilgrim and his ministry was followed by Elder J.D.Johnson who served two years as spiritual leader. Pastor Reginald D. Holmes pastored the church for three years and his ministry was followed by the Rev. Noah A. Thomas, Jr. Through the mercy and power of God, by the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Thomas was instrumental in re-establishing rapport between the congregation and himself and an attitude of togetherness and love. Pilgrim Missionary Church has served as a beacon in the Central City Community sponsoring programs designed to help the less fortunate. Monthly, the church sponsored a "Feed The Hungry" day. Any person needing a meal was provided one free of charge. Because there was a growing concern about the health and welfare of the elderly, twice per year the church sponsored a health fair where elders could receive information about health care, nutrition and have their blood pressure check. These services were provided by health care professionals who were members of the church. Additionally the church, prior to Hurricane Katrina, was in discussion about the development of a center for the elderly that would allow senior members to spend their days in the center rather than spending days at home alone, as many of them presently did. The idea was to have activities and events for them and to provide one hot meal per day. To address the needs of the youth of the church, the youth directors sponsored quarterly seminars. These seminars were designed to address the needs and concerns of today's youth. Topics have • included, (1) Becoming a Better Student: Tips to be Successful in School; (2) Staying Drug Free; (3) Understanding and Avoiding Sexually Transmitted Diseases (4) Becoming Computer Literate and (5) Good Grooming Tips. Presenters for these sessions were representatives from various social organizations in the community as well as local educators from the local school system.