Pilgrim entered a new era of religious awareness under the capable ministry of Dr. Lee Ward Harris. After receiving his Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Emporia State College, Kansas, Rev. Harris pastored nine years at the Virginia St. Baptist Church in Fulton, MO. Also during this period, he served as a Home Missionary Field Worker for the American Baptist Convention. In 1922, he accepted the call to Pilgrim. During his pastorate at Pilgrim, Dr. Harris organized the Vacation Bible School program in 1922; he directed the planning and building of the present sanctuary and Fellowship Hall in 1928; he was editor and publisher of our first church bulletin called the "Informer."
Dr. Harris served on boards at the state and national level. He was an organizer and director of the National Baptist Moderator Association of the National Baptist Convention. He was on the boards of the American and Northern Baptist Conventions and the Greater Twin City Council of Churches. At the time of his death, Dr. Harris was Moderator of the Minnesota Baptist State Convention, a position he held for a number of years.
Setting a model of involvement for Pilgrim members through his years, Dr. Harris was actively involved in civic affairs. he served on the board of the Urban League, the NAACP, and the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. In his role as representative of these organizations, Dr. Harris steadfastly denounced the segregation policies in Minnesota. Once representing the Twin City Ministerial Alliance, Dr. Harris spoke before the Minnesota House of Representatives questioning the lack of roles for Blacks in the State Department. He pointed out that in a work force totaling 16,000 only 22 were Black.
His influence and legacy was carried on to serve our church and community by his wife and four children. His wife was organizer and first president of the L. W. Harris Gospel Chorus in 1938, was director of the Cradle Roll and Home Missions Department. Mrs. Harris, who had high ideals, coined the slogan, "Pilgrim, the Church of Lofty Friendship" and it continues to be used throughout the years.
The son, Lee W. Harris, a well known baritone singer, gave freely of his talent to the church and community. He subsequently moved to New York City where he held an executive position at Ohrbacks Department Store until his retirement in 1979. He and his wife, Mrs. Inez Harris, then moved to Rialto, CA.
The oldest daughter, Mrs. Arlee Harris Scott, illustriously led the L. W. Harris Gospel Chorus from 1938 to 1966. Mrs. Scott, a retired case-aide worker at Ramsey County Welfare Department, is an accomplished musician. During her work at the church, she wrote and directed many pageants of the L. W. Harris Gospel Chorus. She also organized and directed a group of talented ladies known as the "Melody Maids." The group was very popular statewide.
A second daughter, Mrs. O'Delle Harris Galloway, a retired Ramsey County Welfare Social Worker, has served as assistant director of the L. W. Harris Gospel Chorus, co-chairwoman of the church Bus Ministry, Sunday School teacher, and a trustee. Her husband, Mr. Nathaniel Galloway, Sr. served as a faithful trustee for many years and spear-headed the drive for the stained glass windows in the church sanctuary which were installed in 1975.
A third daughter, Ms. June Harris, was active in the Baptist Young Peoples Union, a member of the L. W. Harris Gospel Chorus, and editor of the church bulletin.
All in all, the Harris family, like many others, contributed immensely to the growth and development of Pilgrim and the community.