The Full Story
Pilgrim Hill was organized in the late 1800s in Hufsmith, Texas, on the corner property of Brother Judge Thomas and Brother Jewish Foyt, by the Reverend Carr of Kohrville, Texas. In 1910 after Reverend Carr's pastoring, Reverend Wyatt became the pastor. At that time, the church was called Hardshell Baptist Church. After the death of Reverend Wyatt, Reverend Roughtly was called as the pastor. He pastored for about 14 years.
The church continued to grow by the grace of God. The next pastor was Reverend Taylor. He pastored for about two years. It was under his leadership that the church name was changed to Pilgrim Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend C.C. Warner was called following Reverend Taylor's tenure. He served as pastor for about two years. Following Reverend Warner's tenure, Reverend Jeffery of Kohrville was called. During this time, one acre was purchased from Mrs. Miller. At which time, the church was torn down and moved to its present location on Scott Street in Hufsmith, TX. Later, an old school building was purchased for $50.00 and added as an improvement to the building. While improvements were made during the relocation, church services were held in conjunction with Salem Methodist. Pilgrim Hill continued fellowship church services with Salem Methodist two Sundays each month until the early l 970's.
​
In 1926, after the reign of Reverend Jeffery, Reverend Scott was called to pastor. During this period, a new church was rebuilt and covered by Deacons Willie Curtis and Ira Curtis, of Richard, Texas. The church continued to grow under the leadership of Reverend Scott. He served as pastor for 18 years and 7 months, during which time he ordained the following Deacons: T.J. Mayfield, Alex Mitchell, Prince Hawthorn, Bennie Smith, Judge Thomas, Dan Smith, Isiah Thompson, Alex Ross, Tut Scott, and Robert Tolson.
Following Reverend Scott's tenure in 1945, Reverend Austin was called and served for about two years.
After Reverend Austin's death, Reverend S.M. Mathews was called and pastored for about seven years.
After the resignation of Reverend Mathews, Reverend Bennie Smith was the acting pastor until Reverend T.L. Green was called. He pastored for about thirteen years, at which time the church continued to grow, and more improvements were made to the church.
After Reverend Green's resignation, Reverend H.C. Godine was called as pastor. He served as pastor for nine years. Thanks be to God, the church continued to move forward and kept growing. During that time, Sister Bessie Barlow served as church secretary, until the resignation of Reverend Godine in 1972.
Reverend C.E. Martin Sr. was called to pastor the church May 17, 1973. While pastoring, he enrolled at Bishop College in Dallas, Texas to study Theology and Religion. Under the leadership of Reverend Martin, fifty-five members were baptized, and many had returned to the church. He ordained the following Deacons: Joseph Shannon, Abram Brown, Lester Kossie, Robert Singleton, Samuel Shannon, Arthur B. Gamer, Albert Lynch, Charles Stanford, Chester Mitchell, and Ira Taylor Jr. Also, Sister Latrell Shannon the church secretary, at which time she served faithfully, until her resignation. After the resignation of Sis Shannon, Sister Lucy Taylor became the church secretary, along with Sister Fannie Turk and they both served faithfully. Rev. Martin led the greater expansion of Pilgrim Hill Church building along with Dea. Arthur B. Gamer was in 1995 by adding on the new sanctuary, which is where we are now. The following Associate or Assistant Pastor under Reverend Martin included Revered Lester Kossie, Reverend Vincent Piper Sr., Reverend Samuel Scott, Reverend William Russell, and Reverend Robert Gipson.
On March 14, 2010, our previous Pastor Rev. Charles Martin Sr., installed Rev. Russell as the Assistant Pastor to the Church, to ensure a smooth transition, if Rev. Martin preceded Rev. Russell in his homegoing.
On August 8, 2014, Rev. Charles Martin Sr., who led the Pilgrim Hill Church family for over forty-one years, until his health began to fail. and he was called home to be with the Lord.
On October 12, 2014, Rev William Russell was officially installed as Pastor of Pilgrim Hill Missionary Baptist Church by Rev. Franklin D. Sampson.
We continued to move forward keeping the doors open in this area for worship, doing the will of the Lord, After our last Church Anniversary, and during 2021, The Woodlands Church completed a variety of repairs under another Pilgrim Hill Project, at which time we had services online. On or around Easter 2022, we were finally able to return to the church sanctuary to have services. During that time, we continued to have some type of service every Sunday. Our Pastor at that time Rev. William Russell was no longer able to come to church. He later submitted his resignation.
We continued to have service until the Lord sent Rev. Rodney Price, Sr., to our church Sunday, March 12, 2023. He let us know that he had inquired about the church in the neighborhood as to whether there were any Deacons at the church. He was advised that the ladies were at church every Sunday, so he decided to introduce himself and join in with us. He continued to worship with us preaching and teaching the word of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. After a few months and on June 4, 2023, a Church Meeting was called with the present members. At that time, Rev. Price was voted as our Pastor. From that time until he was officially installed as the Pastor, he continued to work diligently on items involving getting the church registered as a 501(c)(3) under the State of Texas. completed additional repairs to include removing raccoons and other insects from the attic, repairing the sheetrock, painting inside the sanctuary, installed new fans, replacing air condition ducts in the attic and cleaning of the church property with the help of church members and others. While doing the said repairs we continue to have services in the fellowship Hall, keeping the doors open in this area, and doing the will of the Lord, until we were able to move back into the church sanctuary for regular services. On September 15, 2024, Pastor Price Sr. was installed as the Pastor of Pilgrim Hill Missionary Baptist Church, by Pastor Herman Pickens. As we move forward, we will continue to do as our Motto says - "Reach, Preach & Teach" the word of God.