In December 2017 the Pilgrim congregation voted to become a sanctuary church, out of a desire to be faithful to the values and teachings of the gospel, and a belief that we are called to accompany and stand with those in our communities who are facing threat of deportation under the current aggressive and often inhumane policies and practices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Our predecessors in faith built this church to accommodate, welcome and offer support to an influx of immigrants in the surrounding Tremont neighborhood in the late 1800s.

In 2018, Pilgrim provided sanctuary for an immigrant and father of four from Guatemala. While the congregation has not been asked to provide sanctuary to another refugee since then, Pilgrim has remained committed to issues related to immigration and has sought ways to support organizations that work with refugees and immigrants.