125 Years of Faithful Service to the Lexington Community
“Pilgrim, along with other Lutheran churches, is a part of Lexington’s fabric. I have been associated with the church for 48 years through my wife’s family,” says member Wally Steinhauser. “We have beautiful facilities, an outstanding preschool (which is celebrating 30 years), and a welcoming atmosphere, with loyal members. I would encourage those looking for a church home to try us out!”
About 125 years ago, a group of 77 charter members, who were previous members of the parent church, Zion Lutheran, embarked on a journey of faith to establish a new congregation. Organized by Rev. J. A. Cromer, “Pilgrim’s founders created a mission to reach out to more people in the Lexington area,” says Rev. Mary Anderson, the current assembly’s interim pastor.
According to Margaret Christmus, a lifetime congregant whose forefathers were charter members, the church’s name selection process involved members writing suggestions on pieces of paper, which were then placed in a hat, and the slip bearing “Pilgrim” was plucked from the hat. Carl Richardson, another current and lifelong member of Pilgrim, says that they met at the Midway School until land was donated and a wooden sanctuary was constructed, around the turn of the twentieth century, at the church’s current location, 1430 North Lake Drive in Lexington.
In the early days, the fledgling assembly met on the second Sunday because they shared a traveling pastor with several other Lutheran churches in the area. By the mid-1950s, however, the congregation had grown to 361 members, constructed a new granite sanctuary, and became a solo congregation with its own pastor. Other notable achievements throughout the years include the construction of additional educational and recreational facilities, as well as the establishment of the Pilgrim Community Preschool. In 2005, the groundbreaking commenced for the construction of the most recent 600-seat sanctuary where this faithful congregation continues to meet for worship on Sunday mornings and other community-related events.
To celebrate its 125th year, Pilgrim Lutheran will be hosting a weekend of activities during September. Of special interest to the Lexington community will be “A Festival of Music and History” on September 14 at 4 p.m., which includes a presentation by Michael Burgess on the history of the area, accompanied by musical pieces performed by the Lexington Choral Society and members of the South Carolina Philharmonic. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at wearepilgrim.net and wingardsmarket.com or at the door on the day of the event. All proceeds will benefit Mission Lexington. A Festival Worship Service will be held on September 15, at 10 a.m., and the entire Lexington community is invited to attend.
Jackie Kaminer and her husband began attending Pilgrim “around 2016,” she says. “We were looking for somewhere we could go together. I enjoy the people and the connection in the community.” “Relationships,” agrees Jane Park, a lifelong congregant whose grandparents were some of the founding members, “is what makes Pilgrim so very strong—the relationships that people form with new and old members.”
Members for less than a year, Ryan Mears and her family found what they were looking for in a church home when they visited Pilgrim. “Everyone is welcome here,” she says. “Everything here is so intentional,” she adds. “It feels so real and personal, and it’s not just our relationship with each other, but our relationship with the community that I think is amazing.”
Rev. Mary Anderson emphasizes the importance of “listening for the needs” of the community and “trusting that the Spirit is leading. It’s just where we have to keep centering ourselves,” she says. Pilgrim’s members have often shown their love to each other and the greater community in many creative, thoughtful, and generous ways during its history. Jane Park, who has “been involved in all sorts of ministries” throughout her life, currently serves as the chair of the board of the preschool, one of the largest “outer” programs of the church, which is also celebrating its thirtieth anniversary.
Longtime member, Delores Wingard Steinhauser, describes one of Pilgrim’s newest programs, Holy Casseroley, a ministry that provides comfort food and encouragement in the form of homemade casseroles. Also, “We have a little food pantry,” she adds, housed in a wooden box in front of the church, where neighbors in need can freely visit. In addition to being a founding member of Mission Lexington, Pilgrim has also organized ladies’ circles that have undertaken projects like knitting prayer shawls and supporting nonprofits such as Sistercare, Ronald McDonald House, Camp Kemo, and Angel Tree. In planning for the future, Mary Beth Hill, the current congregation president, speaks of “Bold Steps” the congregation has voted to support, which will ensure that Pilgrim Lutheran continues its legacy of light and love indefinitely.