Interested in viewing our video, "Pilgrim Congregational Church: A Brief History," which was produced at Pilgrim Church in September 2004? It's here. You will need Windows Media Player to view it.
Dial-up users: For best results, right click on the link above, and then click "Save Target As..." to download and save the video to your computer. (It is 13 MB). 

A Vision For Education...
In 1852, Thyrza Pelton and Asa Mahon from Oberlin College decided to build a new university in a Cleveland neighborhood now known as Tremont. The school was built and opened, and for a short time the neighborhood was referred to as "University Heights." However, a year later, Mrs. Pelton died, and the school quickly closed. Today the streets remain named Professor, College, University, and Literary.

The university building did not go unused. Instead, Sunday School classes were held within their walls; and Rev. William Brewster, a Methodist minister, came every Sunday to preach at the schoolhouse – the present day Tremont School.  

A Community Of Faith Develops...
Meetings were held at the home of John G. Jennings, and on November 13, 1859, thirty-four people ascribed to the "Articles of Faith and Covenant of University Heights Congregational Church." Of these 34 charter members, 5 were Wesley Methodist, 10 were Methodist Episcopal, 4 were Presbyterian, and 11 were Congregational. Great doubt was expressed whether a church with such diversified ideas on religion would hold together.

In 1865, Mr. Pelton gave two lots at the corner of Howard and Jennings (now West 14th) to build a church. The basement was finished in 1866, the upper auditorium in 1869. This church, named the Jennings Avenue Congregational Church was designed to seat 600-700 persons in a cruciform nave.  

Growth Leads To A New Home...
By 1891, the congregation had 961 registered students in their Sunday School program and the church literally began outgrowing its structure. Charles Mills became pastor that year and the congregation voted to build a new larger church just one block away. The cornerstone was laid on July 6, 1893, and in 1894 our present building, renamed Pilgrim Church, was dedicated. The Jennings Avenue structure was sold to St. Augustine Catholic Church.

The development of Pilgrim Church took place in the context of two major new emphases in the theology and mission of American churches. First the "Social Gospel" was not just for the healing and salvation of individuals, but was for the healing and the renewal of society as well. Secondly, the National Council of Congregational Churches began to call for an effort in evangelism that would no longer focus exclusively on conversion, but would seek to nourish the life of the community as well.  

Ministry Comes In Many Forms...
Pilgrim took seriously its call to provide a ministry of the whole church for the whole community. The church offered a  gymnasium, as well as educational classes such as music, foreign language, photography, sewing, stenography, bookkeeping, penmanship, mechanical drawing, gardening, and Bible Study. There were art classes, travel clubs, debating societies, and discussion groups on civic and governmental affairs. Tremont's first library was housed in Pilgrim Church, as was the kindergarten, the visiting nurse service, Welfare and Social Service Aid, and one of the first Boy Scout troops (#98).

Pilgrim designed its space to minister to the poor and middle class, members and non-members. Sacred and secular space could cohabit, and spiritual needs could be served by also providing for physical, intellectual and social needs.  

Challenges & Resurrection...
In the 1960's and 1970's brought freeways and flight from the inner city, and a great decline in the membership of Pilgrim. In the late 1980's the question was raised as to whether Pilgrim could survive. But not long after, in 1990, Dr. Laurie Hafner became Pastor. She had a vision of what Pilgrim could be again. Under her leadership the church became a Just Peace and Open and Affirming Church. Pilgrim is thriving once again. It is a church renewed in faith, hope and love, and is reaching out to share these with others in the community.