We are pleased to carry forward the long history of The Church of the Pilgrimage, as outlined below.​

• 1606 - Separatists gathered as a covenanted congregation in Scrooby, England.

• 1608 - Moved to Leyden, Holland with Rev. John Robinson, pastor.

• 1620 - Portion sailed as Pilgrims with Elder William Brewster on Mayflower to Plimoth Patuxet, landing near Plymouth Rock.

• 1621 - Worship led by Elder Brewster in the Common House; First Thanksgiving with Wampanoags.

• 1622 - Worship led in the fort on Burial Hill.

• 1628 - Rev. Ralph Smith, recently arrived from Salem, installed as Pastor.

• 1637 - The first church meetinghouse erected on the north side of Town Square.

• 1669 - Rev. John Cotton installed as pastor, served for 28 years.

• 1663 – John Eliot’s translation of the Bible into a phonetic version of the Wampanoag language published.

• 1683 - New meetinghouse erected on the west side of Town Square.

• 1686 – A second edition of Eliot’s Bible, supported by Rev. Cotton published. Rev. Cotton sometimes preached to Indigenous people in their own tongue.

• 1715 - Meeting house partially destroyed by lightning.

• 1744  -Meetinghouse rebuilt on the same ground.

• 1800 - Rev. James Kendall, “New Light” liberal, installed as pastor.

• 1801 - Fifty-two persons, one less than half the entire number, withdrew to organize as the Third Congregational Church of Plymouth in order to continue “orthodox” worship.

• 1802 - 154 members incorporated into the Third Congregational Church of Plymouth.

• 1802 - Meetinghouse built on west side of Training Green with Rev. Adoniram Judson Sr. as Pastor.

• 1818 - A Sabbath school formed, the first in the town.

• 1840 - A new meeting house, designed by Washington Alston, erected for the Third Church of Christ in Plymouth. It stands almost exactly on the site of the Pilgrim’s first meeting house and continues to serve as our main church building.

• 1841 - Hooper bell added to steeple (forged by Henry N. Hooper Co.; Paul Revere Co.).

• 1852 - Chapel dedicated.

• 1853  -Organ built in the balcony, noted for its beautiful tone; organ blowers pumped it by hand.

• 1855 - The church illuminated by gas lights at either side of the pulpit as well as by a gas chandelier in the center ceiling of the sanctuary, which the sexton lit using a wax taper on the end of a long pole.

• 1870 - Name changed to The Church of the Pilgrimage.

• 1871 - Women members granted right to vote in the congregation.

• 1877 - A primary department was organized with 40 students.

• 1878 - A system of weekly offerings adopted.

• 1887 - Chapel sold and moved while the church lifted and remodeled to provide room beneath.

• 1888 - The meetinghouse rededicated.

• 1898 - Belfry was blown off by a severe storm and landed in Town Square.

• 1901 - Present belfry tower, designed by J.E. Chandler, completed.

• 1906 - Electricity installed.

• 1910 - Pews at front and sides of church removed. Cathedral glass replaced the colored glass windows, and new organ installed in the chancel.

• 1951 - 350th Anniversary celebrated during Rev. Edwin Anthony’s 31-year Pastorate; 510 church members.

• 1954 - Meetinghouse additions made.

• 1957 - Congregation affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

• 1965 - Maybury Parsonage, 20 Newfield Street, donated.

• 1967 - Church House (John Robinson Center) built on the south side of Town Square.

• 1967 - Women voted to serve as Deacons.

• 1980 - Women allowed to assist with administration of the Sacraments.

• 1981 - Rev. Nancy Elder, first woman called to serve as Assoc. Pastor.

• 1983 - Meetinghouse east ramp added.

• 1988 - Organ purchased from Baptist Temple, Fall River, then renovated by Roche Organ Co., Taunton.

• 1991 - Organ installed and dedicated.

• 2005 - John Robinson Center renovated and rededicated.

• 2010 - Congregation voted to become Open and Affirming (UCC).

• 2011 - Parsonage sold. Memorial Garden established; Columbarium built.

• 2012 - Rev. Dr. Helen Nablo, first woman called to serve as Sr. Pastor.

• 2020 - Electronic worship platform introduced to supplement in-person worship, due to COVID-19 pandemic.

• 2021 - Rev. Dianne Arakawa, first person of color, invited to serve as Transitional Sr. Pastor.

• 2017-22 - Capital Campaign/ Meetinghouse renovation with Communion Room and Otis elevator completed and dedicated; celebrated 400th + Anniversary; 300 members.

• 2024 - Rev. Tim Garvin-Leighton was called to serve as the new Pastor.