“Ever wonder how a prayer league transformed into a global church?” We are standing in front of the site of the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Chicago. It has a fascinating history. The Pilgrim Holiness Church emerged from the Holiness movement. This swept across America in the late 19th century.
The church’s roots trace back to September 1897. It started as the International Holiness Union and Prayer League. Martin Wells Knapp’s home in Cincinnati, Ohio, was the location. Seth C. Rees was chosen as President. Martin Wells Knapp became Vice-President. The Union wasn’t meant to be a church. It was an interdenominational fellowship. It focused on worldwide holiness evangelism. The Union emphasized four points. These were the regeneration of sinners. The entire sanctification of believers was another. The premillennial return of Jesus Christ was crucial. Also, the evangelization of the world was key.
The International Apostolic Holiness Union was formed in July 1900. This expressed the aim of returning to apostolic principles. Missionary work began that same year. Members went to South Africa, India and Japan. They also went to the West Indies and South America.
The Union evolved into a church. This provided homes for converts and conservation of work. In 1905, the name changed again. It became the International Apostolic Holiness Union and Churches. Charles and Lettie Cowman became General Superintendents. Edwin A. Kilbourne became Vice-General Superintendent. They oversaw Korea, Japan and China.
The interdenominational features faded. In 1913, the name changed to International Apostolic Holiness Church. In 1919, several conferences joined. These were the Indiana, Illinois-Missouri and Kansas-Oklahoma Conferences. They were part of the Holiness Christian Church. This church began in Pennsylvania in 1882.
The Pentecostal Rescue Mission joined in March 1922. It became the New York District. It had originated in Binghamton, New York, in 1897. In October 1922, another change occurred. The General Assembly received The Pilgrim Church of California. The name became The Pilgrim Holiness Church.
In 1924, the Pentecostal Brethren in Christ united. They became part of the Ohio District. In 1925, The People’s Mission Church joined. It was based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1946, The Holiness Church of California was received. The Africa Evangelistic Mission joined in 1962.
The Pilgrim Holiness Church grew through revivals and evangelism. In 1930, a significant change occurred. The General Assembly unified the administration. They provided one general superintendent. They also formed one general board. A general headquarters was established in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Missionary work expanded. The Pilgrim Holiness Church reached South Africa. It also extended to the Caribbean, Guyana, Suriname and Brazil. Peru, Mexico and the Philippine Islands were included too. England also became part of their reach.
In 1968, The Pilgrim Holiness Church united. It merged with The Wesleyan Methodist Church of America. This formed The Wesleyan Church. However, some churches did not join the merger. These formed the Pilgrim Holiness Church, Inc. and the Pilgrim Holiness Church of NY, Inc.
Doctrine-wise, they are conservative evangelicals. They follow Wesleyan-Arminian beliefs. They consider the Bible as the written word of God. They believe in the Trinity. They emphasize personal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. They believe in holiness of heart. This comes through the Holy Spirit. They also believe in the return of Jesus Christ. The Korea Holiness Church is a daughter of the IAHC/PHC. It emphasizes a four-fold gospel. This includes regeneration and baptism with the Holy Spirit. Divine healing is another aspect. The second coming of Jesus is also key.