HISTORY OF SHILOH CHURCH Contributed by Shawn Martin ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ History of Shiloh Church Compliments of Edna Liggin, Carlton White and Fred White In the 1840's a group of Baptists, once removed from their home church back eastward, were worshipping in a small building in a new settlement about eight miles west of ten year-old town called Farmerville. One of the new settlers, Richard Fuller preached in this new church building or perhaps it was a school also, in the beginning. Being Baptists of good standing, they wanted to perpetuate their faith, so accordingly on the third Sabbath of March, 1849, they founded the "Shiloh Baptist Church of Christ." The presbytery of Eli Terry and Jesse Tubb were formed and a church constitution and covenant were drawn up with charter members as follows: W. C. Heard and wife, Sarah; Levi Fuller and wife, Sarah; John Miller and wife, and Eli Terry. The first pastor called was Jesse Tubb, then a wealthy planter who refused to take money for his preaching. He was followed by Dr. Absalom Wade, then by Seburne Fuller. the latter was a poor man, but gained fame as "Ole Battleax," in his fight against "demon rum." His influence in this direction was greatly felt for years by the church. There were few records of the church until after the civil War. Sometimes in those years must have been built the white frame building that served the church until it burned in 1937. The church had two entrance doors, a steeple and bell (the bell was restored in 1963), and two traditions as to seating arrangement. The men sat on one side, the women on the other, and also an "amen" corner. Arnel Kitchens was the first pastor after the civl War, to be followed by Starling Lee, Jonathan Miller, William P. Smith, John Everett, J. U. H. Wharton, J. W. Melton and J. W. Cooksey. These pastored the church up until the 1900's. the church ordained many others who preached elsewhere, the most notable being Dr. J. R. Edwards and Pulaski Moore. Many great revivals were held, often in winter, with large baptizings to follow in a pool built near the church, old records refer several times to pool as it was cleaned and enlarged to serve as a baptistry. The high peak of the church, and town of Shiloh, was reached in 1875 under the leadership of John Everett and W. P. Smith as they labored to set up the Concord Institute. It was one of the few Louisiana Co-ed Baptist Colleges that existed in that period. Of a boarding school type, it attracted hundreds of Baptist boys and girls until destroyed by fire in 1885. One of its outstanding principals was John B. Robinson, Jr., brilliant mathematician. The school carried a full curriculum. The Louisiana Baptist Convention met at Shiloh church in 1878 with Dr. John Everett a leader in establishing the Louisiana Executive Board. The Rev. Starling Lee for serveral years edited a Baptist publication on a state level. From 1874 until 1899 the Shiloh church helped constitute five other churches in the area. R. J. Tabor founded Mt. Tabor; the church was mother to Pine Grove, Evergreen and Bernice Baptist churches, while Robert Patrick founded Mt. Patrick. From Shiloh church have gone forth many to other areas as Ruston, Alexandria and Baton Rouge to engage in professions as lawyers, teachers, doctors and even to the governor's mansion. For two governor's, William Wright Heard and Ruffin G. Pleasant Shiloh was their post office address. The town of Shiloh was officially incorporated in 1870 and an old census report of 1890 listed it as the second largest town in Union Parish. Most of Shiloh was destroyed by fire in the 1890's and merchants rebuilt in the new town of Bernice which was on a railroad, also new. In those years before 1900 Shiloh church joined hands with other Baptists and sent messengers to countless associational meetings. Bro. Everett and several church members once attended a Southern Baptist convention in Dallas. The church listed as next to the pastor's salary both home and foreign mission caused. In the interim between 1900 and 1930 the pastors were: L. N. Holmes, M. V. Burns, Horation Mitchell, W. E. Robertson, G. M. Harrell, J. T. Johnson, M. V. Burns, S. W. Sproles, H. F. Killen, G. C. Odom and Bro. Guthrie. Bro. M. V. Burns, the only one to be called consecutively twice, is the oldest living pastor today (1964). The church as always been missionary minded, sending a missionary, Bro. Quillan, to Brazil in the 1860's long before organized Southern Baptist foreign mission board took such action. the church dates the W. M. U. back to 1919 with Mrs. Hattie Moore the first president. However, a Ladies Aid was organized in 1888. The 1930's were marked by the changing of the B. Y. P. U. to a Training organization; by full support of the Cooperative Program, and by the erection of the present building without the two Sunday School wings. The old church burned in 1937, but many records escaped destruction being at the home of one of the earlier deacons, Henry Smith. The Sunday School has existed and been effective at Shiloh continuously since the Church's organization, with R. J. Tabor for many years its staunch supporter. Beginning in 1930, the pastors were: R. H. Whittington, G. C. Dennis, H. H. O'Bier, S. G. Rogers, Dewey Rockett, Porter Lazenby, F. D. Bachman, G. M. Steingaugh, A. J. Turner and D. D. Contrell. Many changes were made in the church building in those years with more rooms added; the wood stove yielding to gas; the REA giving electric lights. The interior was renovated. Some after 1950 the church was brought to full-time under H. O. Hartman as pastor. he was followed by Clark Hayes who organized the first Vacation Bible School. In 1956, M. F. Copeland was called to pastor the church. A cemetery care program was established; choirs were trained; a library set up, and other buildings added to the church. A young Shiloh man, Harlan Smith, surrendered to the ministry and was ordained at Shiloh. The present pastor, Rev. James F. Gray came to the church in 1960 and soon afterwards the first parsonage was built with many giving in memory to loved ones buried at Shiloh. In 1963, the church put in central heating and air conditioning. The first Hope-Coming was held in 1963 with a former pastor, Rev. Porter Lazenby, speaker. In all its 115 years of history, the church seeks still to be evangelistic; to promote soul winning, and the kingdom work. It si still the "Shiloh Baptist Church of Christ." # # #