Members of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church at 394 Ave. B in Markham will celebrate their 119th Homecoming and Church Anniversary at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6.
Program highlights include music ministry offered by Andrea Love, Homecoming welcome extended by Joseph Dodds, Willie Mae Sardinea will recognize former members and home-comers. Leroy Johnson will speak on the Theme “Success, God’s Way!” Joshua 1:7-8 NASB.
The speaker will be Rev. J.C. Ashton, Jr., pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church of Markham.
When the village of Markham or “Tent City” began, there were no houses, no city blocks, no town lots, and no streets.
There was merely a bare prairie with tents for residents to live in.
Therefore, the village got its name, “Tent City.”
Celia Rainey, one of the founders along with other African-Americans, came from far and near; and were a part of “Tent City” in the northeast section of the village.
Eventually, the canal company began to build houses in that section of the village for African-Americans.
All of the buildings were painted red.
The section was called “Red Town.” The people in “Red Town” desired a place to worship and praise God.
According to the records of the late Deacon Johnson Brown, Sr., related to him by Sarah Phillips Green, another one of the church founders, Pilgrim Rest was officially organized Nov. 15, 1903.
The organization took place in the home of Deacon Issac “Ike” and Nancy Crawford. The Crawfords, along with Napoleon Burns, Celia Rainey, Silas P. and Sarah Phillips, Joe Bums, Mose Jackson, Henry Reddicks, Nathan Green, and the Rev. Andrew Lee of Bay City met for the purpose of organizing a church in this area.
The name Pilgrim Rest was chosen to coincide with the people, “Pilgrims” traveling in a barring land.
Knowing and believing that an almighty God had watched over and kept them, they wanted a place they could assemble and give reverence and honor to God.
They wanted a place to assemble, to bring their families, and hear and be taught spiritual doctrine to strengthen their faith and offer peace to all who would come.
Having met in different homes and empty houses, in 1909, a building was constructed on lot 5, block 33.
The hurricane of 1909 destroyed this building.
Soon afterwards, another frame building was constructed but in September 1961 hurricane Carla destroyed that building.
In 1962 church members purchased the Ashby Memorial Baptist Church.
The building was then moved to Markham.
Many improvements were made over the years by the former pastors.
The dining hall was named in memory of the late Rev. Rudolph Martin “The R. Martin Fellowship Hall”.
The church under the watchful eye of Rev. J..C. Ashton, Jr. and continues to move forward to the future.
Pastor Ashton is still spiritually feeding and encouraging God’s people to work for the glorification of God.
God has a watchful eye on this church (as all churches); from the “Tent City”, to “Red Town”, to Markham.
It continues to sit as a beacon beckoning to who-so-ever-will, let him come.
These pastors who have served are as follows:
Rev. Andrew Lee, Rev. Johnny Williams, Rev. James Harrison, Rev. S.M. Deadman, Rev. G. R. Turner, Rev. M.C. Hendricks, Rev. J. B. Brown, Rev. T. G. Jackson, Rev. F. J. Thompson, Rev. H. T. Aldridge, Rev. W. B. Jenkins, Rev. A. J. Williams, Rev. H. T. Aldridge second term, Rev. Rudolph Martin. Rev. J. C. Ashton, Jr. have been blessed to serve God’s people as pastor of Pilgrim Rest for the last 30 years.
These deacons who have served are as follows:
Deacon Ike Crawford, Deacon Irvin Brown, Deacon Willie Stringer, Deacon Johnson Brown, Deacon Ned Brooks, Deacon William Blackmon, Deacon Andrew Woods, Deacon Cedo Sardinea. The present deacons are: Deacon Aaron Green, Deacon Otto Williams, Deacon Kenneth Love, Deacon Leroy Johnson and Deacon Dwight Sanford.
Secretaries who have served are as follows:
Irvin Brown, Eddie Allen, Celia Raney, Bessie Davis, Meldora Simmons, Lucy Harrison, Irene Burns, Lillie Brooks and Eva Barnes.
The present secretary is Annette Green.
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church members continue in the traditions of their founders with programs of worship and service.
Sunday morning worship begins at 10 a.m.
Pastor Ashton and the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church family welcome you to worship with them.
