Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church History

Committed individuals, led by God met in 1946 and formally began the groundwork for the establishment of Pilgrim Rest at the corner of 27th Street and Fremont Avenue, in the home of Rev. J.J. Johnson.

The Moderator of this meeting was the late Rev. S. A. Dabner, the Pastor of the Southside Baptist Church. Present at the organizing of the church were the following individuals: Rev. S. A. Dabner, Rev. J.J. Johnson, Rev. C.W. Charles, Rev. E. W. Warren, Rev. B.F. Barber, Victoria Barber, Mary Lee Charles, Dorothy C. Willis, Rev. E. J. Rolfe, B. F. Barber Jr., Clara Lawrence, Willie M. Johnson, Johnnie Lawrence, and Cordia. L. Deshotel. As the organizer and founder, Rev. B.F. Barber was accepted as the first Pastor.

Over the course of 79 years many spiritual leaders have contributed to the growth of the church. Here are a few of the highlights of just the past 35 years:

August 2, 1978, Rev. E. L. Hicks became our Pastor. Under his leadership our membership grew to approximately 250. Three radio broadcast programs were produced, and we partnered with Pima County to provide the first Head Start in the surrounding community. Rev. Hicks licensed three ministers, Rev. W. T. Warren, Rev. M. B. Robinson and Rev. Junior Boone. In August of 1981 the present building was paid off and a mortgage burning ceremony was held. On September 20, 1981 the cornerstone was placed on the church building by the Pima Lodge#10. Rev. Hicks retired in 1986.

Under the leadership of Rev. M. C. Griffin, two sons were added to the ministry, Rev. Clyde Alexander and Rev. Walter Holloway. Four Deacons Bro. A. Smith, Bro Houston Turner, Bro. J. Moore and Bro. Haywall. were also ordained. We also purchased most of the block that surrounds the church from the corner of Martin Ave. & 36th St. to 34th St & Campbell.

Rev. L. W. Rosette became pastor in 1999. Six sons were added to the ministry, Rev. James Hall, Min. Robert Skinner, Rev. Curtis Flannigan, Rev. John Gordon, Rev. Houston Turner and Rev. Kenny Kee. Under his leadership the parsonage was remodeled, a church van was purchased, and the transportation ministry started, new windows were installed along with a new P.A. system, security lights installed around the church and fencing around the van parking for better security. The land surrounding the church was cleared off. Commercials ran on the cable stations.

The Lord sent our current Pastor, Dr. Da’Mond T. Holt in November of 2013. Two sons were added to the ministry, Minister Ronald McBean and Minister Emerson Appleby, and Brother William Ellis was ordained as deacon. Under his continued leadership property improvements include purchasing chairs for the sanctuary, repaving the church parking lot, adding a security fence, and remodeling the fellowship hall and three classrooms. As a dedicated community, service projects include hosting the “Fresh Start” event to help formerly incarcerated persons and others with unresolved legal issues restore their rights, quash outstanding warrants, make arrangements for unpaid traffic violations, and find employment despite felony convictions. Over 400 citizens have been served since the event’s inception. In addition, Dr. Holt serves as the President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) and the Congress of Christian Education President of the Paradise Valley Missionary Baptist State Convention of Arizona.