About Pilgrim Baptist Church

56th Church Anniversary

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS, TO EVANGELIZE THE LOST!

THE ORGANIZATION

Early in 1962 literally a handful of pilgrims held their worship services at the Congregational Church building then located on Reynolds Street, in Marietta.

Congregational Church building then located on Reynolds Street, in Marietta.

On the 3rd Sunday in June of 1962, these few believers observed their first Home Coming Sunday, and officially organized and was named the Pilgrim Baptist Church.

The first members were:

The late Rev. George Dodd & his late wife Mary Dodd and their son Alvin Dodd.

Deacon Dover Ferrell & his late wife Agnes Ferrell.

The late Deacon Luther Martin.

Within that 1st year, Pilgrim took in over 72 members.

THE TWO SERVANTS

Pastor Dodd & Pastor Mitchell

Pastor George Dodd’s Tenure

Under his leadership, Pilgrim took in over 200 members joined.

Had a great passion for young people.
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Encouraged training for service.
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Known for utilizing young people as junior officers / leaders.

Ordained several officers, ministers
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Founding Pastor.
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Pastor of Pilgrim for 26 years.

Pastor Lenton Mitchell ’s Tenure

Current Pastor
Pastor Mitchell has served Pilgrim 35 years and under his leadership, Pilgrim has taken in well over 2000 members. He has ordained/licensed several deacon’s and ministers. In 1994 under his leadership, we literally tore down every wall on the old church and rebuilt it with a mortgage of $275,000 mortgage, which God allowed us to pay off within a year. Due to the renovations, we held our last Worship Service in our old building on Sunday August 29, 1993. From September 5, 1993 to March 13, 1994 our services were held in various places. On March 20, 1994 we were home at last! The topic preached on that Sunday was “It is Well with My Soul.”
On July 5, 1995, the Pilgrim Baptist Church unanimously voted to advance pastor Mitchell as a full-time pastor. Due to the progression of membership and considering the planning of the Tower Road railroad underpass project, Pilgrim uprooted and moved from its Tower Road location.
On December 29, 1999, Pilgrim purchased its present location at 1600 Old Concord Road. January 14th, 2000 was the last service held on Tower Road. Pilgrims first Worship Service held at the new location was on January 21, 2000.
In addition to leading and serving the members of Pilgrim, Pastor Mitchell, in his pursuit of Biblical wisdom and knowledge, received his Doctor of Divinity degree from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, December 15, 2012.
Pastor Lenton and Sister Miriam have resided in the Northwest metro-area of Georgia all their lives. He and first Lady, Miriam have been happily married for 45 years. Since their pastorate at Pilgrim, they have gained three son’s-in-law, 10 grandchildren and 1 great -grand child!

Our Pastor

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Reverend Lenton Mitchell, is a native of Acworth, Georgia. He served as assistant pastor for the Providence Community Baptist church, in Marietta, Georgia, from 1986 until June 1988. He came to Pilgrim to serve as assistant to Rev. George Dodd in July 1988.

He came to Pilgrim with his wife Miriam, a native of Marietta; with whom he has been married for 45 years. They came to Pilgrim also with their three daughters Shaniqua, Andrea, and Elisha. Reverend Mitchell served as assistant pastor to Rev. Dodd until his health began to fail. Pastor Dodd recommended Rev. Mitchell to the church to be considered as pastor! The church voted and accepted him as pastor of the Pilgrim Baptist Church in September 1988.

During his tenure with Pilgrim, pastor Mitchell pursued a theological education from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS); which he graduated with a doctoral of Ministry degree.

Pastor Mitchell has served as a volunteer chaplain with Kennestone hospital; served on the Defac’s advisory board, and the Concerned Black Clergy of Cobb County (CBCC).