Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church began in 1944–45 when Rev. R.B. Renard and Bro. Cato Delley answered a vision to start a Sunday School in the Pullman housing project. From door-to-door invitations the Recreation Baptist Church Sunday School was born; soon the congregation organized under Rev. L.V. Harris and adopted the name Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. With faithful support from the Women’s Missionary Union and the wider membership, the first sanctuary was built and dedicated on Christmas Day 1946.
Under the long and transformative pastorate of Rev. Charlie E. Richardson the church expanded, relocated to 831 South 43rd Street, and completed a major remodeling dedicated in 1979. Pilgrim Rest burned its mortgage through member pledges, WMU support, and the Birth Month Ministry. The church financed a mission in Africa and established the C.E. Richardson scholarships, while mentoring many leaders who went on to serve in ministry.
Rev. Dr. J.R. Spearman was installed as pastor in 1996, following 15 years of faithful service as Rev. Richardson’s assistant and youth pastor. He brought forward a deep commitment to nurturing youth and children’s ministries, continuing to strengthen these vital areas of church life. In 2017 Pastor Eric D. Morris was installed with the vision “Under Construction — Many Members but One Body.” Under his leadership Pilgrim Rest expanded food ministries, community outreach, Thanksgiving dinners, school supply distributions, and partnerships serving Richmond’s most vulnerable.
For more than 80 years Pilgrim Rest has been sustained by faith, prayer, and dedicated servants. We continue to teach, baptize, and serve our neighbors—living the call to feed the hungry and welcome the stranger. We give thanks for the past and trust God to lead us forward.