“We are servants of Him whose concern was in persons and principles—not buildings and budgets.”
—the Reverend Arnold Slater, Pastor of Pilgrim Congregational for 29 years, 1958
1800s
The Brainerd Mission was established by Congregationalists in the 1800s. They were advocates for the local Cherokee population. Later in the 19th Century Congregationalists took a lead role in the abolition movement and, after the Civil War, in educating former slaves.
1914
A group of about 100 people from the First Methodist Church sought doctrinal liberty and established a new congregation.
1921
After meeting in temporary spaces for several years, Pilgrim Church began construction a of a new church building at the corner of Oak and Lindsay
1950s
Pilgrim Congregational Church took a stand early for Civil Rights and integration in Tennessee. A firebomb was thrown at the door of the church, yet still Pilgrim carried on.
1959
The current mid-century modern building, designed by architect Mario Bianculli, opened.
1961
Pilgrim became part of the wider United Church of Christ. The Congregational Christian Churches joined with the Evangelical and Reformed church to create this new united and uniting denomination known as the UCC.
1990s
Pilgrim took a stand to be open and affirming, committing its members to welcome LGBTQ seekers, support their relationships, and advocate for their rights.
As the first mainline congregation to take such a stance in Chattanooga, Pilgrim lost some members, but the church never lost faith in its mission to love our neighbor and to provide Chattanooga with an inclusive, open-minded faith.
Today
Today, Pilgrim continues to be a progressive leader in Chattanooga and the broader community. Pilgrim gives Chattanooga, and our increasingly widespread virtual congregation, an approach to our faith which is rooted in tradition and nourishes curiosity.
We offer a place where each individual may search for a vision of God that relates to the modern world, where each person’s conscience is respected, and where all are welcome.
