Clayton Kilgore, a member of the Clear Spring Baptist Church and former slave owner, had begun a school for black children before the Civil War. Sunday School grew out of this day school. Later, an effort began to construct a Black Baptist Church came from the small Sunday School. Seeing their need for a property, Clayton Kilgore donated a 10-acre tract of land on which to build the church. The church was called Pilgrim Baptist Church, and records indicate its beginning was in 1868.
In 1894, after a controversy over the choice to serve actual wine or grape juice at Pilgrim Baptist Church, the church split into two congregations: Old Pilgrim Baptist Church and New Pilgrim Baptist Church.
The 1890's were difficult years for the United States, highlighted by the Panic of 1893 when stock prices plummeted, many banks collapsed, businesses failed, and numerous farms experienced foreclosure. In these times of economic difficulty, there were more lynchings in South Carolina than in any other decade. The South Carolina General Assembly made segregation state law in 1896.
It was during this period of economic and social difficulty that the New Pilgrim Baptist Church was organized 1895, on 4.7 acres of land donated by the children of Clayton Kilgore: J. S. Kilgore, Mary D. Kilgore, Jesse Kilgore, and Fannie Kilgore. Services at New Pilgrim Baptist Church began in 1896. Charter members were Will Patten, Rob Foster, Henry Goldsmith, John Kilgore, Tom Anderson, P.F. Pilgrim, and Ellie Moore. A church building was erected a few years later, which could seat 150 people and cost $1500 to construct. Worship services were held one Sunday a month, though the Sunday School met each week. Baptisms took place in a man-made pool behind the home of one of the church's members, Miss Treasure Goldsmith.
Born in Greenwood, South Carolina, Reverend Lomax served as Pastor of the Church during the early 1920's. Soon after, New Pilgrim Baptist Church burned down, but not allowing this misfortune to prevent the church community from moving forward, the members rebuilt the church shortly after. Rev. Mitchell from Georgia became pastor, followed by Rev. Woods, who pastored for several years. Rev. Anderson served as interim pastor for a year and a half, followed by Rev. Tolbert, who pastored for the next seven years.
In the 1930's, New Pilgrim underwent construction without a pastor. Rev. Bud Yeargin became interim pastor. Rev. Means served as pastor for the next six months. After that Rev. Wade Kennedy became pastor for the next thirty years.
In the late 1960's, the Rev. B.W. Harris from Spartanburg. S.C. pastored for two and half years. The next person to hold the pulpit was Rev. A.B. Brockman. Church services increased to twice a month. During his time as pastor, three young men were called in the ministry: Rev. Lonzo Harris, Rev. Charlie Martin, and Rev. Frank Teague. Baptisms were performed in Peter's Creek, off Woodruff Road, a few miles away. At that time, Rev. Brockman pastored both New Pilgrim Baptist Church and Shady Oak Baptist Church. When both churches decided to hold services every Sunday, Rev. Brockman chose to pastor at Shady Oak Baptist Church.
During the 1970's, Rev. Lonzo Harris became pastor, followed by Rev. T. C. Butler and Rev. Marvin Bennett.
During the 1980's, Rev. Carlton Hill became pastor and mentored to two church sons who were called in the ministry, Minister Johnny Wright, and Minister J.W. Wright. Additionally, the church was renovated twice during this period.
Rev. Robert L. Lomax was selected as the Pastor of New Pilgrim Baptist Church in April of 1996. Many new programs were initiated during this time: Children's Church, Couples Ministry, Health Ministry, Media Ministry, New Members Ministry, and the Sunshine Group (Senior Ministry). Deacon Toy Lee Kilgore, Sr. was honored as the Church's first Deacon Emeritus in New Pilgrim's history.
In 2002, Rev. Terry Saturday was asked to pastor the church. Under his leadership, Deacon Albert Goldsmith was called into ministry. The church expanded physically as well as spiritually; a new educational wing was completed with a dining hall, pastor's office, administrative office, and seven classrooms upstairs. Rev. Saturday's leadership concluded in 2007.
Pastor Greer asked the Church to step out in faith, starting the Nehemiah Project, which encourages members to commit to regular giving for funding of various church projects.
Pastor Greer challenged the Church's Ministries with service and outreach. Annually, there is a Golden Strip Community Center food drive, Women's Conference, and Vacation Bible School.
In June of 2020 New Pilgrim Baptist Church changed its name to New Pilgrim Baptist Church of Simpsonville. The history of New Pilgrim Baptist Church shows that God is faithful and is always at work, whether in good times or in times of adversity.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.~ Ephesians 2:19-22
