Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church began their journey as a congregation in 1891. From their opening day, the church has grown quite a lot. According to records the church began with only 19 members. They are now enjoying increased membership along with many new services that have been created through many pastors.

“I have been here for a little over five years, and I have been taking what others have done before me and trying to create an even better worship place for us,” Pastor D. L. Nix said.

Altogether the church has seen 19 pastors since 1891 when it first began. It was in 1906 that the church was moved to its present location in Maplesville. In 1907, under the leadership of the Rev. Prentice, the seating capacity was enlarged to fit around 50 people.

In 1959 Pastor Dawson became part of the Pilgrim Rest family and lead the congregation for 39 years until his death in August 1998. While he was pastor, Dawson set up a building program that brought the small-framed church to its current condition.

After the death of Dawson, the Rev. Carl E. Johnson became pastor and served for two years until he stepped down as pastor in 2002 and Pastor D. L. Nix became the new church leader.

Under Nix, the church has grown even more.

They have increased in membership, remodeled their annex, departmentalized their staff, paved a parking lot, brought in new technology to record sermons, started celebrating 8 a.m. services on the third and fifth Sundays, started radio ministry, gotten a church bus, built a carport/utility building, upgraded their sound system, added trustees, restructured deacons’ ministry, created a new members ministry, replaced old furniture, placed a metal roof on the building, added more land to the church (10 1/2 acres), remodeled their fellowship hall, added a new equipment room and remodeled their sanctuary.

This Sunday, the church will celebrate their 117th homecoming at the church, which is located at 176 Shepard Hill Road, Maplesville. The celebration will begin at 2 p.m. with a visit from guest Pastor Rodney T. Morton of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma. Everyone is welcome to come out and celebrate with the church.