Our Mission
At Pilgrim Trinitarian Congregational Church, we are dedicated to fulfilling the Great Commission by going forth and making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We strive to live out the Great Commandments by loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbors as ourselves.
Through worship, service, and community engagement, we aim to share the Gospel, nurture spiritual growth, and promote justice and compassion, embodying Christ's love in our actions and outreach. Together, we seek to be a beacon of hope, fostering a diverse and inclusive community centered on faith, love, and purpose.
Our Beliefs
At the heart of our faith is a deep-rooted commitment to the historic teachings of Christianity. Our statement of faith is beautifully and succinctly expressed in the Apostles' Creed, a foundational declaration that dates back to at least 140 A.D. It captures the essential doctrines we hold dear and serves as a timeless affirmation of our trust in God.
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The Apostles' Creed
We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was
crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. We believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.
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This creed unites us with believers across generations and denominations, affirming our shared hope and purpose in Christ.
Our History
On November 2, 1862, sixteen individuals gathered at the home of Rev. Edmund Squire in Dorchester, Massachusetts, to form "an unsectarian Church of Jesus Christ," which evolved into Pilgrim Trinitarian Congregational Church. Rev. Henry Martyn Dexter, its second minister, was a prominent Congregational figure, known for translating the hymn "Shepherd of Tender Youth."
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The church joined the Orthodox Congregational Churches on July 21, 1867, and became known as "The Cottage Street Congregational Church" on April 17, 1871. Initially renting from the Dorchester Atheneum, Pilgrim Church moved locations several times before laying its new foundations on Columbia Road in July 1890, designed by Stephen Earle. The congregation marched to the new chapel for its opening on December 28, 1890.
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It was incorporated on February 26, 1890, and held its first service in the new building on January 1, 1891. Significant items from this era, including a Communion Service, are still in the church's possession. The church's auditorium was completed by the end of the century, with its cornerstone laid on May 3, 1893, and its first worship service held on October 8, 1893.
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In 1926, the church acquired a parsonage on Bellevue Street, and in 1963, it initiated a community service program known as Camp Pilgrim. On December 18, 2013, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Meet Our Team
Pastor Glenn Campbell
Supply Minister
Sephlyn C. Yeary
Moderator
Andrea Quintyne
Clerk
Matthew Dargon
Treasure/Moderator
Colleen Quintyne
Deaconess