SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST

"The Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1872, by the late Rev. George Byrd, a native of Virginia. The first house of worship was located on Boyd Avenue in a section of this city known at that time as "Spanish Town". Rev. Byrd served as pastor very faithfully for 34 years. In 1906, he retired and returned to his homeland in Virginia, where he was called from labor to reward.

In 1907, the late Rev. Jack Mitchell was called to succeed Rev. Byrd as pastor. He served very well as pastor for more than 30 years. It was during his pastorate that the church sanctuary moved from Boyd Avenue to the 14^th Street location. The original edifice on this site was demolished and replaced with the present building on South 14^th Street in 1932.

In 1937, Rev. Mitchell, finding himself weakening because of age, requested that Rev. Dudley T. Smith be ordained to assist him, in carrying out his work. His request was granted on February 28, 1937, and Bro. Smith was ordained to the gospel ministry. Rev. Smith served from 1937 to 1944 as Rev. Mitchell’s assistant. In January 1944, Rev. Mitchell retired, and Rev. Dudley T. Smith succeeded him as pastor. Rev. Smith served Shiloh extremely well. During his time as pastor, the church had tremendous spiritual and material growth. The membership increased abundantly; existing auxiliaries were strengthened, and new ones added.

In February 1962, God in His infinite wisdom called Rev. D. T. Smith from labor to reward. In April of the same year, the congregation unanimously elected his youngest son, Charles, to succeed his father. During the ministry of Charles Smith, the church has continued to make consistent progress in many ways. Some of the progress is as follows:

Physical Expansion

Between 1962 and 1969 much property was acquired on 14^th Street and 13^th Street (now Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive). Our present sanctuary and our first educational building were built on the 13^th Street site between 1972-1980 at a combined cost of a little over $700,000 with the cost of land included. All of the indebtedness incurred in this expansion was retired in 1988, seven years ahead of schedule. In 1997, we erected a new social, educational, fellowship, and office complex at the cost of $1.5 million dollars. It contains eighteen (18) classrooms, five (5) offices, a library, and a greatly enlarged fellowship hall / gymnasium. We are presently well ahead of schedule in retiring this indebtedness.