During the ministry of Rev. B. N. Murrell, the present church site was purchased. On this site was a tiny wooden structure in which both the St. Paul Urban League and N.A.A.C.P. were organized. It was later moved to the alley when the construction on the present sanctuary began. It remained in use until the Educational Unit was built in 1949.
When the St. Paul Ministerial Alliance was formed at Pilgrim in 1916, Rev. Murrell became its first secretary. This organization is the forerunner of the now powerful Ministerial Alliance. During the war, Rev. Murrell served for two years as a member of the American Expeditionary Force with the YMCA. Much of the credit for leading the church while he was away is credited to the stable leadership of Deacon George Wills.