Here at Pilgrim Church, we find a welcoming community. Pilgrim Church has a rich history. It has served the surrounding neighborhoods since 1947. The congregation of Pilgrim Church first gathered in Bellaire City Hall. That initial service occurred on October 12, 1947. There were only forty-eight worshippers. Sunday School and Bible classes started two weeks later. Soon, Pilgrim Church moved to the Harris County Mary and Martha Chapel. This chapel was at the Bayland Burnett Home for Girls on Chimney Rock.
With confidence in future growth, Pilgrim Church purchased land. The one-acre tract was at 5314 Old Richmond Rd. It is now Bissonnet in Bellaire. Construction began. The new facility was dedicated in August 1949. Pilgrim Day School began in September 1954. Today, Pilgrim Lutheran School continues a tradition. It provides excellent education for children. The school teaches children from eighteen months through 8th grade.
A new chapel was dedicated at the Old Richmond Road location in 1955. The church continued to grow. It became evident the congregation needed to expand. They needed to purchase new land. Final services at the site were held in August 1959. Pilgrim Church moved to its current location then. This location is a five-acre tract. The sanctuary built in 1959 is now Pilgrim’s Parish Hall.
During the following years, the church and school continued to grow. A dedicated sanctuary was needed. It would serve the growing congregation. Twenty-nine living charter members had waited sixteen years. The current sanctuary and office building were dedicated in December 1963. The spectacular pipe organ was added in 1977. It has 1,433 pipes. This organ began a new era of music worship at Pilgrim. It allowed the church to celebrate its rich Lutheran musical heritage.
Pilgrim Church continued to serve its community. Additions were made to the buildings. The sanctuary needed updating. A church renovation project happened in 2010. The Youth Room, Sanctuary, and Narthex were updated. They got new materials and furnishings. The Sanctuary was fitted with a new altar area. New pews, floor coverings, and attractive doors were installed. The Narthex had renovated facilities. Pilgrim Church was then ready to welcome worshippers for years to come.
Today, Pilgrim Church focuses on several missions. They partner with CCSC. CCSC serves the inner city Houston community. Pilgrim supports CCSC through door offerings and events. Pilgrim Church also works with Lutheran Braille Workers. They provide the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. They produce Braille Bibles in multiple languages. Pilgrim supports LINC Houston. LINC helps plant new churches in multi-cultural communities. Through LINC, Pilgrim supports Eritrean, Congolese, and Indian ministries. Pilgrim Church equips imperfect people. It empowers them to become devoted followers of Jesus.