Church History

The Greater Mt. Pilgrim Church, 3406 Nagle Street, Houston, Texas 77004 was organized in the year 1955 as a Baptist Church. The first pastor was Rev. A. W. Trouler, followed by Rev. C. L. Conner.

In the year of 1959, Rev. Emerson Butcher was called as Pastor with a membership of eight (8) and seating capacity of twenty-five (25). Out of the eight (8) members, just to name a few they are Sis. Lillian Butcher-Joseph, Sis. Albertine Willis, Sis. Florida Noble, Sis. Rosetta Chatmen, Sis. Margie Hayden, Dec. Hilman Portorie, Sis. Dorothy Lavalias still resides here at Greater Mt. Pilgrim.

In the year 1960, the church property was purchased and in 1962 the building was enlarged to hold fifty (50) people. The Lord blessed our congregation, and many souls were added to our flock. Almost every Sunday and each meeting night the membership continued to increase. The church structure became too small to house its membership. Disappointment and discouragement came from everyone saying, “the church’s growth potentials were very poor,” but the Lord gave Rev. Butcher a vision and in 1967, the new church was erected and there was enough to house three hundred (300) people.

The Lord continued to bless Greater Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church and in 1979, the Lord gave Rev. Emerson Butcher another vision. This vision was that the Sanctuary needed even more space to house all the new members. In 1982 the church moved into its second Sanctuary, where we are presently serving God. Pastor Butcher and the congregation moved into the new building with ZERO debt. It was paid in full. The membership grew to five hundred (500) plus members.

In 1993 Rev. Emerson Butcher was called home to be with the Lord and Rev. Raymond LaFleur became pastor. In 1998, Rev. Raymond LaFleur moved on to another calling and Rev. Elvis Mays presided as acting Pastor and ordained as deacons Dec. A. Noble and Dec. N. McPherson.

In 1999 Rev. Ricky Taylor was voted in as the new Pastor. In 2001, Rev. Ricky Taylor moved to another calling and Rev. Percy L. Edward was asked to serve as presiding Pastor. He accepted and several months later he was voted in as Pastor.

While serving as Pastor, Rev. Percy L. Edward the Lord blessed Greater Mt. Pilgrim with increased membership, some by Christian experience and others by candidates for baptism.  Under his guidance the children’s church was established with Rev. A. Walker as leader. The Church Motto was then implemented, “Where the Spirit of God is, we have Family.”

In 2020 the church building was closed due to the pandemic; however, we continued with virtual Sunday School with Deacon R. Momon as our teacher. In that same year, March 22, 2020, Pastor Percy L. Edward was called home to be with his Lord.

In the year 2021 the church building sustained major damage caused by the hard freeze and remained closed for repairs until 2022.

On September 18, 2022, Deacon H. Jordan along with some of the members reconvened for an in-house service. Pastor A. Lafleur of Greater New Testament M. B. C. (which was Pastor Edward pastor) served as overseer of the church and congregation.

After many prayer meetings concerning a pastor, the members led by the Holy Spirit reached out to Overseer Pastor A. LaFleur with their concern.  On November 6, 2023, Rev Daniel Ferdinand was approved and appointed by the Deacons and the Overseer to serve as acting pastor.

On March 12, 2023, Overseer Pastor A. LaFleur guided by the Holy Spirit and the Parliamentary procedure moved to vote and appoint Rev. Daniel Ferdinand as Pastor of Greater Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.  The response by saying I, with there being no objections, the appointment stood.  The church has moved forward and upward, and we thank God for his gift to Our Church.  “The bones have come together!”

Rev. Daniel Ferdinand was installed as Pastor May 28, 2023 @ 3pm with his wife on his side, Nicole Ferdinand.

Under the Pastorship of Daniel Ferdinand, he selected, and the church elected Minister Jamarr D. Mitchell be installed as the Assistant Pastor of Greater Mt. Pilgrim on the same date, May 28, 2023 @ 9:30 a.m.. This leadership team has reestablished the church as a vital component in the community and within the body of Christ giving past and new members an opportunity to reconnect and/or start their journey with Greater Mt Pilgrim.  There is no doubt based on evidence that “God Is With Us”….