Pilgrim Congregational Church is an independent Christian church which manages its own affairs, elects its own officers, and own its own property. It is a church bound together by a covenant of mutual devotion and service. It is devotional in emphasis, liberal in theology and family centered in its programs.

The Congregational Way is a way of following Christ. People of a Congregational Church do not seek to be led by a creed, but by the Spirit. Ours is the tradition of a free church, gathered under the headship of Christ and bound to others by love, not law.

A small band of 36 Congregationalists formally organized Pilgrim Congregational Church on May 26, 1887 in the Taylor Opera House, located on the northwest corner of Third and Thomas Streets, Pomona. At that time there were only 10 other churches in Pomona. Grover Cleveland was in the White House for his first term. There were only 37 states in the Union. Pomona, not to be incorporated for another eight months, had population of 3000.

The church’s first permanent home was a chapel erected on the southeast corner of Third and Thomas where the Progress Bulletin building now stands. Total investment $7600. the first Sunday service was held there on November 26, 1887, just six months after the church was formed.

In the Congregational tradition of fostering education, Pilgrim founded Pomona College just four months after the church was organized. Rev. Charles Sumner the founding minister of Pilgrim Church became the first president of Pomona College. The second minister of Pilgrim Church was the Rev. Lucian Frary whose name is memorialized in Frary Dining Hall on the Pomona College campus.

Pilgrim’s first chapel was enlarged and a bell tower was added in 1897. By 1910 the membership had soared to 500 and plans for a new site and building were made. The present site of the church at Garey Avenue and Pasadena Street was acquired and in May of 1911 a cornerstone was laid for a building that was to cost $107,573. At dedications time, one year later, a debt of only $19,000 remained.

Pilgrim Hall and the gymnasium were completed first, with worship services held in Pilgrim Hall until the sanctuary was finished.

The gymnasium was the first built by a Christian church in the entire area west of the Mississippi river. Pilgrim Hall and the gym were built to serve not just the church but the community as well. Thus once again the faith of the Pilgrim spirit was affirmed – the church "serving as the river of God to and from the community." Local non-profit organizations have found Pilgrim to be a hospitable host for their meetings, just as the church owed its beginnings to the charity of the Taylor Opera House. The beautiful new complex was dedicated on May 26, 1912, the church’s 25th anniversary.

In September of 1925 the church was badly damaged by a fire originating in the tower. Repairs and improvements were made and in 1926 the church was restored and the memorial chimes dedicated.

To meet the need for increased Christian school facilities, a two-story educational building, including Eells Hall, was erected north of Pilgrim Hall in 1952 at a cost of $125,000. A further addition to the school, Mayflower Hall, including a modern nursery and a youth chapel, was dedicated in 1960.