In 1913, the late Reverend and Mrs. Ernest Twyman, Deacon and Mrs. John Giles, Deacon Lockman, and George and Rosa Yancey, along with a few other dedicated Christians were inspired to establish a Baptist Church in Newark, Delaware. Its first service was held in a tent on Church Street. Sometime later, a building previously used as a movie theater for colored people, was purchased from Under-taker Jones to be used for services. The church was to be called "The Pilgrim Baptist Church".
In 1984, a parcel of land located on Barksdale Road spanning nearly 2.5 acres was purchased for the new facility. Reverend Daniel McDonald, Pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church, delivered a
powerful encouraging message at the groundbreaking ceremony on Palm Sunday in 1992. Construction on the new church began in the spring of 1993. Dedication services were held on Saturday,
April 30, 1994, "To God Be The Glory". The members walked from the old Pilgrim to the new Pilgrim.
Pilgrim Baptist Church is a member of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., the United Baptist State Convention of Delaware, the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Association of Delaware Inc.,
the New England Missionary Baptist Convention, and the Interdenominational Church Ushers Association of Delaware Inc.
Pilgrim's Pastors
Reverend Ernest Twyman (1913 - July 1946)
34 Years as Pastor
Reverend Isaac S. Holmes (December 1947 - June 1975)
28 Years as Pastor
First known musician, Reverend David Minus
Reverend John C. Woodard, (March 1976 - September 1995)
19 Years as Pastor
Reverend Paul Hayes (October 1995)
Interim Pastor
Reverend David L. Minus (November 1996 - June 1997) Interim Pastor
Reverend Michael A. Alston (June 1997 - February 2003)
5 years as Pastor
Reverend Clifton Bundick (April 2003 - October 2004) Interim Pastor
Reverend Dr. Lonnie E. Rector (November 2004 - Present)