Much has been written about the history of Pilgrim Church, “the first institutional church,” which used its beautiful building as a place not only of worship but also of community, learning, and service. In fact, one history book says, “Visitors came from all parts of the country to see the building and learn of its many activities."

Beginning in Fall 2004, Pilgrim Church has "re-instituted" The Pilgrim Institute, which recalls the historic commitment of this congregation to learning and to equipping the saints for ministry. Much of our programming builds on the continuing success of series such as the Sunday Morning Adult Action Study, Women’s Study Group, Thursday Night Bible Study, special programs and forums (such as “The Bible and Homosexuality”), the Film Series Group, the Quarterly Book Club, our Wellness Center (The Gathering), the Bridging Group, and Potluck, Prayer, & Praise, to name only a few. 

In addition, you can check out some new offerings, as well as some old favorites, too, including, Potluck, Prayer, and Praise the Borg Group and discussions on a themes that arise from something in popular or modern culture.

For current programs, please see:
Click on a link below to learn more about a particular program:

Our Adult Action Study Group is coordinated by the Board for Christian Education and meets every Sunday before worship at 9:00 AM. Recent and upcoming topics include:

Please join us for lively, educational, and thought-provoking discussion!

For current programs offered through the Adult Action Study Group, please see our Events page.

The Women’s Study Group is an informal group of vibrant, diverse, and fun-driven women who gather once a month for food, conversation, support, food, spiritual growth, food, and fellowship (oh yes, did we say food?). Our themes of study have ranged from “Bad Girls of the Bible,” to “Centering Ourselves,” to “Favorite Guilty Pleasures.” Sometimes we will read a book or see a film for discussion and sometimes we just use the newspaper headlines as a stepping off place for conversation. But always, there is lots of humor, lots of caring, and lots of food!

Join us every second Saturday of the month at 8:30 AM in the church parlor (during June, July, and August we meet at Lakewood Park), for a potluck breakfast, great community, and always an intriguing time.

For current programs offered in the Women's Study Group, please see our Events page.

 The Bridging Group gathering is for folks who are coming from the Roman Catholic tradition but, for one reason or another, hear a call to a new church home here at Pilgrim Church. This is not a new member class, but a time to ask questions, share our stories, and perhaps find a clearer path to a new home. If you are considering membership here at Pilgrim Church, but feel you would benefit from such an opportunity, please join us. Bridging Group dates are listed on the Events page.

Pilgrim Church members and friends are invited to attend our Film Series Group. This regular gathering is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the many ways that God is still speaking to us through the powerful art of filmmaking. Sharing our responses together, we learn new ways to see things, better understand the experience of others, and deepen our commitment to diminish human suffering. We also make new friends and get to know old ones better.

The Film Series Groups meets once a month, except during the summer months, when we meet every week! The title, time, and location of our movie will be announced at worship that morning, printed in the worship bulletin, and placed on our Events page.

The Gathering, a Wellness Center has been offering classes in Tremont since 1996. In 2004 our nonprofit classes and therapeutic treatments moved to Pilgrim Congregational Church and are now included in The Pilgrim Institute. All instructors are certified in their fields of expertise, and our class offerings include Yoga, Reiki therapy, CPR training, Art Journaling, and Thai Massage. The Gathering also offers Reiki , Reconnective Healing, and Thai massage in therapeutic sessions by certified practitioners. To arrange for a therapeutic treatment session, or to enroll in a class, or to discuss treatments or class offerings contact Chaz Henderson at 216-621-9530. For a list and description of current yoga classes, as well as other classes offered through The Gathering, please see our Events page.

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