Pastoral History

"No one can uproot the tree that God has planted"

Pilgrim Baptist Church of Red Bank, New Jersey, was one of the first "Negro" Baptist Churches in Red Bank. It was organized in 1896 and began without a permanent home. The name Pilgrim evolved because the pioneers had to go from home to home to conduct services.

Pilgrim Baptist Church has over the years been blessed with great leadership, moving the Church to higher and higher levels of spirituality, service, and presence in the community. Including our present Shepherd, we have had 14 Pastors over our 110-year history.

• Rev. Ebenezer Bird, 1st Pastor
• Rev. Edward Drumingold, 2nd Pastor
• Rev. T.F. Tunston, 3rd Pastor
• Rev. C.H. McDonald, 4th Pastor
• Harvey L. Basic, Church Advisor
• Rev. George A. Smallwood, 5th Pastor
• Rev. T.F. Fenner, 6th Pastor
• Rev. William B. Scott, 7th Pastor
• Rev. D.K. Askew, 8th Pastor
• Rev. H. Hebron, 9th Pastor
• Rev. W. B. Neal, 10th Pastor
• Rev. Henry J.Morgan, llth Pastor
• Rev. Kenneth E. Grayson, 12th Pastor
• Rev. Millard W. Harris, 13th Pastor
• Rev. Terrence Keith Porter, 14th Pastor

Rev. Ebenezer Bird, 1st Pastor

Reverend Ebenezer Bird organized the beginning of Pilgrim Baptist Church located on Pearl and Water Streets, Red Bank, New Jersey, in the year 1896 and the month of June. The church was started at the residence of the late Brother Moses Johnson and his wife. Reverend Bird of New York City served the Church for a period of three years. During his term, he was very active and loved by all with whom he came in contact. After three years, he resigned on his own account to take up another field.

Rev. Edward Drumingold, 2nd Pastor

The Church next called Reverend Drumingold. He served the Church for several years before going on to the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church of Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Rev. T. F. Tunston, 3rd Pastor

The Church then called Reverend Tunston of Newark, New Jersey. He served for two years and went to another vocation.

Rev. C. H. McDonald, 4th Pastor

Reverend McDonald from South Carolina, also was called by the Church . He served for a period of two to three years.

Harvey L. Basie The Church Advisor

In the early nineteen hundreds, the Church elected Harvey L. Basie to be its adviser. He presided with the congregation for more than two years. During his time, a day to remember was the location and proposition of the ideal site of 17 Pearl Street, Red Bank, New Jersey. At this time, the Church was comprised of the original Deacons: Moses Johnson, Reuben Foster, Henry Stewart, H. Nelson, Henry Blunt and loyal members.

Rev. George A. Smallwood, 5th Pastor

The Church called Reverend Smallwood, who was pastoring the Second Baptist Church of Long Branch, New Jersey. He remained with the Church for two years.

Rev. T. F. Fenner., 6th Pastor

Reverend Fenner was then called by the Church and was Pastor for three years. His devout acceptance of God then directed him to take charge of Second Baptist Church, Freehold, New Jersey.

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