Shiloh Baptist Church History

The Shiloh Baptist Church is thankful to God for 155 years of building, praising and loving the Lord together for His goodness to us all. 

Prior to Shiloh Baptist Church being organized, churchgoers were attending Chickahominy Baptist Church, which is the mother church to Shiloh; and Shiloh being the mother church to Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church.

We cannot account for a lot of things that happened during the first few years, but we do know that it was in 1866 that a few devoted and dedicated Christian believers in God started what is now “Shiloh Baptist Church”. It all began in a little one-room log cabin with a wood stove in a sandbox, with candles, lamps and lanterns used for lighting. 

We remember Rev. Zachary Taylor Whiting from Gloucester, Virginia, as the Pastor for over 40 years. 

Rev. C. D. Ellis came to us as Pastor in 1922. During his years with us, the entire church was renovated. The top was raised, a bell was brought, and a steeple was built for the bell; two windows were put in the front of the building and a glass vent was installed over the front door. 

After Rev. Ellis left, Rev. Richard Dias, a foreigner from Portugal, was called as our leader. He helped us to put in a wood and coal furnace and lights operated by a motorized generator.  Our membership grew during those years, and we continued to worship God and to improve our building. Rev. Dias was later called to a church in New Jersey.

Rev. Terrer from Richmond, Virginia, was then our Pastor for a short period. After his tenure, the Rev. Ackens from Richmond, Virginia, served as our Pastor. For a short period in 1929, Rev. Daily was sent to us from Richmond, Virginia.

Rev. T. H. Jones was then sent to us from Virginia Union University.  During his stay, we raised our first $1,000 at our June Rally. 

In order to raise money for church expenses, Dea. Eugene Lightfoot suggested that the Church have a Homecoming Celebration. It was recommended that all active members pay 25¢ the day of the service. The first Homecoming was observed on December 26, 1935; that was 86 years ago.

After Rev. Jones’ long illness and later his death, God sent us Rev. M. R. Banks of New Kent County, Virginia.  During Rev. Banks’ years with us, we added a Choir Room, a Deacon’s Room, a Pastor’s Study, and the outside of the church was bricked. 

When Rev. Banks became disabled, after 26 years of service, the Rev. William E. Byrd served as Supply Pastor in 1974 for about two years.

In May 1976, God sent us Rev. J. M. Nicholson of Newport News, Virginia. Before Rev. Nicholson arrived, church services were held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays only. Under his leadership, the 1st and 3rd Sunday Services were added. The 5th Sunday was reserved for the Literary Sunday School Union. During his period with us, the church was air-conditioned. He introduced Shiloh to the National Baptist Convention, the Hampton Institute Convention (now the Hampton University Ministers Conference) and Church Study Courses in Newport News, Virginia.  After Rev. Nicholson’s services ceased in 1979, Shiloh was served by many heart-warming and loving Evangelists.

In March 1981, the Lord sent us Rev. Wilbert E. Warren, who served through the guidance of the Lord for 31 faithful years; he retired on June 30, 2012. Church membership increased and the church gained spiritually.  Through his leadership, a Bible Study Class was established and a Baptism Pool was installed in the Church.  A new Fellowship Hall was added to the Church.  The Sanctuary was renovated beginning in December 1996 and completed in late 1997. There were two Assistant Pastors, the Rev. Orride Thomas Broaddus and Rev. Carroll C. Carter. Rev. Carter started a Remedial/Tutorial Class, which was held on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 P.M. He resigned in early 1997. With the assistance of First Lady Adline Warren, the Sunbeam Choir was organized in the fall of 1982 with youth ranging from 6 to 12 years old. The Sunbeams eventually became part of the Junior Choir. Youth Services were held on the 3rd Sunday, where the youth of the church take part in the Worship Service Devotional period. Our Youth Fellowship Service was started on the 1st Sunday of each month by our Assistant Pastor, Rev. Orride T. Broaddus.  He left Shiloh and became Pastor-Elect at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. On September 20, 1998, he was installed as Pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Barhamsville, Virginia. 

A Children’s Sermonette, delivered by Rev. Warren, was organized until he recommended that the Deacons take charge of the Children’s Church. The Deacons began this task on September 6, 1998; it continued every 1st Sunday of each month. For several years, Deacon Russell Walker performed this task. Shortly after this, Shiloh’s first Church Library was organized and our first Christian Flag was donated by First Lady Adline Warren. On Sunday, May 28, 2000, Rev. Warren conducted a call meeting to discuss construction of overhead entranceways; the project was completed a few months later.

As we continued to grow, on March 23, 2011, we were blessed with another Associate Minister, Rev. Matthew K. L. Smith, who came to us from Liberty Baptist Church, Charles City, Virginia. Rev. Smith was mentored by Rev. Warren and he began conducting the Morning Worship Services on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. He was afforded the opportunity to conduct a Youth Revival Service, and he also fulfilled outside Church engagements in Rev. Warren’s absence. Rev. Smith was always ready and willing to assist our Pastor and his Shiloh Church family anytime he was asked.  On July 29, 2012, Rev. Smith was installed as the Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. During his tenure, he made the suggestion to start a “Building Fund Pledge” for Shiloh Members and as a result of the pledges, we were able to pay the Church off. A “Mortgage Burning” program was held on May 31, 2015. Pastor Smith left Shiloh on July 1, 2015.

Shiloh Deacons were overseeing the church operation. In mid-August 2015, Deacon Russell Walker was appointed as the Charge Deacon; he taught and continues to teach the Bible Study Classes.  While we were without a Pastor, Deacon Walker assumed many of the responsibilities of the Pastor along with the help of the Shiloh Deacons.

In October 2015, a “Pastor’s Pulpit Committee” was formed to search for a Pastor. On July 17, 2016, there was a “call meeting” to vote for the new Pastor. The Shiloh members voted on Rev. Dr. Myron L. Sutherlin, Associate Minister at New Beech Grove Baptist Church, Newport News, Virginia. His tenure as Pastor-Elect began on August 14, 2016, and during this time, he initiated two workshops, Music and Praise Dance.  His wife, Gillian Sullivan, started a Women’s Ministry. Pastor Sutherlin was installed as Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church on June 4, 2017.

Under Pastor Sutherlin’s leadership, a Consecration Service was held on September 24, 2017 for three new Deaconesses, and on March 11, 2018, two new Deacons were installed and five new Trustees were installed in May 2018.  Associate Minister Stephen Greenhow preached his initial Sermon on April 15, 2019; he resigned May 24, 2020. There were several upgrades in the sanctuary; new carpet was installed, pews were upholstered, and a new sound system was installed.   Our 1st Praise and Worship Ministry was organized in 2019; and The Upper Room In-Touch Prayer Ministry was formed. Several new ministries were created, an Outreach Through Technology Ministry and the Financial Checks and Balances Team. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Church services were cancelled March 16, 2020, hindering all church gatherings. A Safety Team was established. We were able to provide live stream services using our newly installed audio/video equipment. Trustees took charge in collecting tithes and offerings in the parking lot on Saturday mornings for 1-2 hours. Givelify, an online church giving program, was set up for members to give their tithes and offerings. Pastor Sutherlin suggested the need for Shiloh to purchase land for future development. As a result, on November 8, 2020, the Church was able to purchase 8.6 acres of land adjacent to the current church property. Our church membership had increased prior to the pandemic, and our tithes and offerings have increased during the current pandemic.

We hereby in 2021, bow in humble submission to God, who gave our forefathers the strength, faith and energy to travel up the King’s Highway, to keep His church alive. Through faith and prayer, we believe we will continue to grow spiritually and maturely in the future despite the pandemic.

We further Honor all the older builders of our church: Bro. Amos Moore, Bro. Washington Piggott, Bro. James Gransby, Dea. Anthony Jones, Dea. Eugene Lightfoot, Dea. Ernest Tabb and several others.

In great humility, we close with these words:

“Bless this House O Lord, We pray. Make it safe by night and day.
Lord, give us the faith to endure as you did our forefathers”.

Definition of Shiloh:

A city north of Jerusalem; one of the earliest and most sacred of the Jew’s sanctuaries. 
The ark was kept there from the last days of Joshua to the time of Samuel
Joshua 18:1, Judges 21:19, I Samuel 4:30