The History of Shiloh Baptist Church

The history of Shiloh Baptist Church began long before the erection of a physical building. Community persons availed their homes for service. Brothers Philip Wilson, Sr., and Mike Wells, suggested the idea of having a Sunday School with Brothers George Poston and Frank Dixon serving as the first teachers. They began Sunday School in an old house located in a cattle pasture just after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865. Out of the Sunday School was born a series of revivals and from these revivals fourteen persons confessed faith in Christ; thus, the decision was made to build a church.

In 1867, a physical structure (a crude log cabin) was erected with materials and land donated by Dr. Williams. The First Baptist Church of Shelby (pastor and members) helped with the organization. Reverend Samuel Foxx was the first pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, and the first deacons appointed were Philip Wilson, Sr., Mike Wells, Berry Burchett, and George Poston.

The following served as pastors of the Shiloh Baptist Church between the years of 1870 and Rev. Ellis, Rev. Elam Wellmon, Rev. Samuel Hunter, Rev. B. Ranson, Rev. D. W. Montgomery, Dr. James Carey, Rev. W. S. Shuford, Rev. W.A. Roberts, Rev. N. W. Lee and the Rev. W. W. Price. During this period of forty-four years, the church was rebuilt.

During the tenure of Rev. O. J. Allen (1910-1914), the following deacons were added to the Church: Lester Borders, Sr., Philip Wilson, Jr., Wilson Earl, Thomas Earl and J. R. McCombs.

Dr. R. J. Davidson served as pastor from 1926 to 1959. Among his accomplishments were the building of the annex to the Church for the educational plant and the purchasing of the first church bus. The following served as deacons: Grady Bostic, Charlie Davis, Wilson Earl, Joseph Hood, William Little, James Petty, C. L. Smith, Broadus Thompson, Oscar Wilson, Sr., Ausborne Howell, and A. B. Shuford. The following served as trustees: Lester J. Borders, John Corry, Andrew Earl, Miller Howell, George Pagan, Thomas Sanders, Jack Simms, and Eugene Webber, Sr. Brother Ausborne Howell was ordained as a minister of the gospel.

The Rev. O. P. Foster served as pastor from 1959 until 1967. Mr. O. M. Mull donated land in honor of Mary Weathers which was later used as the site for the church parsonage. Also under Rev. Foster’s leadership, the parsonage was built and paid for; land was purchased for the current church building; a second bus was purchased, and several thousand dollars were raised for the building fund.

After Rev. Foster’s retirement, Rev. E. D. Evans served as supply pastor. Money continued to be raised for the building fund and a youth brick club was organized.

Rev. R. E. Devoe served as active pastor from 1968 until 1991. During his administration, the following were added: (Deacons) Theodore Black, Frank Borders, Mack Corry, Charles Degree, Carl Gaston, Donald Gaston, L. C. Hosch, Bobby Malloy, Jerry Mitchell, George Thompson, Sr., George Thompson, Jr., William Washington, Odell Webber, Bobby Woody, Sr. (Trustees) Joseph Borders, James Byrd, Jr., Larry Dixon, Joe Haynes, Douglas Hopper, Guynell Jones, Raymond Littlejohn, Vance London, Roosevelt Mance, E. G. McClure, Otis Mobley, Jr., James B. Wilson, W. D. Wilson, and Taft Wilson. The following persons served in a dual capacity (deacons and trustees): Mack Corry, Jerry Mitchell, and Bobby Woody, Sr. In 1988, Paul Shuford relocated to Shelby and was received as a deacon.

The following accomplishments were actualized under Rev. Devoe’s tenure: The church’s demographics changed from 413 Weathers Street to our current location, 914 Frederick Street; new pews purchased; the parking lot constructed, an organ and piano purchased, the Brotherhood organized, PA system purchased, church air conditioned, church ground landscaped, tables and chairs purchased for Sunday School rooms and dining hall, robes purchased for choirs, adult education classes instituted through Cleveland Community College, the Outreach Ministry grew, and a nursery organized. Carpet was installed in the Education rooms. Drapes and outside carpet were donated by the officers’ wives. Dividers were placed in the Assembly room and in the large classrooms to provide additional space for our increasing enrollment.

The church mortgage was burned. Louise Howell, who served as Building Fund captain, was instrumental in bringing this about.

The following Sunday School Superintendents and assistants served under Rev. Devoe’s administration: Deacon Grady Bostic, Deacon Charlie Davis, Corine Cabaniss, and Deacon Bobby Malloy. Jeannie Enloe served as church secretary for more than thirty years and the following persons also served in this capacity: Ann Gingles, Sandra Clardie, Deborah Robertson, Donnie Manning, and Angela Gaston. Jean Mitchell’s tenure as church clerk began under Rev. Devoe’s administration and concluded under Rev. Mack’s administration in 2002. Deborah Robertson and Sandra Clardie served in the position of assistant church clerk. Deacon Mack Corry served as the church treasurer during this administration.

The church pianists/organists that served during this administration were: Susie Miller, M. L. Roberts, James Daniel Kibler, Jr., Sarah Black, Dorothy Turner, Bennie Borders, Gerald Foster, and Ray Harper.

The church licensed the following people to preach: Larry Dixon, James Smith, Charles E. Wray and Bernice Mitchell. Larry Dixon and James Smith both were ordained by The Ebenezer Association in April 1980.

Reverend R. E. Devoe officially left the pastorship of Shiloh in 1993. After Rev. Devoe’s departure, Dr. Logan Carson of Gardner Webb University was instrumental in assisting the church administratively. During this period of transition, Dr. Carson did the following: advised the officials, moderated church business meetings, and assisted in formulating a church constitution. During this period, the following served as interim pastors: Rev. Thomas Thompson, Jr., Rev. James Ponder, and Rev. Charles Webber. The following trustees were added: Wayne Howell, Daniel Howell, Jr., and Fred Mitchell.

In October 1994, Rev. O. R. Cleveland was called as pastor and served until August 30, 1998. Under his leadership, a children’s church was organized, bible study participation increased, discipleship and orientation classes were reconstructed and extended. The following deacons were ordained: Phillip Williams, Carl Hopper, Curtis Harris, Joe Borders and Charles Degree. The following trustees were added: Dwight Toms, Elton Barber and Kenneth Clardie. The following preachers were licensed: Lawrence Roseboro and Lucresia Moore.

The construction of a Family Life Center/Multipurpose building (Rev. R. E. Devoe’s vision) was begun September 1997 and completed June 1998. A Policies and Procedures Manual was formulated and adopted, and the Nurses’ Guild was organized.

The following people served as pianists/organists: Bobby Burson, Noble Guest, Jr., and Ray Harper.

After Rev. O. R. Cleveland’s services were completed in 1998, Rev. Wilbur Hines served as interim pastor.

Rev. Garry Baker was elected and served as pastor from October 23, 1999, until September 2000. Under his administration, a Sport’s Ministry was organized, an Employees’ Handbook, and a Wedding Guide were approved and implemented. Zaviera Miller was hired as the church secretary. 

Rev. Dennis Wilson served as interim pastor after Rev. Baker’s departure. During this period, a new van was purchased, the parsonage was remodeled, the parking lot expanded, a chain-linked fence installed, and office equipment purchased. The church continued to move beyond the church walls spreading the gospel during Outreach Services which were held in different areas of the county.

Rev. Marcellous Mack served as pastor from July 2, 2001, until 2006. During Pastor Mack’s tenure, the following were implemented: a Mission statement, Leadership Institute, Health Ministry, First Annual Mission Day, Christmas Morning Service, Ushers’ Workshop, Instructors’ Instruction Hour, New Member’s orientation, a church audit, Counting Rotation teams, and the first Deacons’ Retreat in Black Mountain, N.C. Shiloh Baptist Church formed a partnership with the Pregnancy Resource Center and the Cleveland County Health Department. The church took two missionary endeavors: the Lott Carey Foreign Mission and the General Baptist Convention of North Carolina. The Family Life Center and van debts were liquidated. The 135th Anniversary Project was to purchase new African American Heritage hymnals and Bibles which were consecrated on Sunday, October 13, 2002.

The following persons were elected to serve: (Deacons) Milton Briscoe, Dwight Byrd, Kenneth Holmes, Harold Ramseur, and Dwight Toms. (Trustees) Lena Borders, Donna Brooks, Renee Etchison, Sherese Harris, Richard Hooker, and Jimmy Ross. The trustees named above include the first women to serve in that capacity. Teresa Montgomery was hired as the church secretary. The following members were elected to serve: Helen Cliette, treasurer; Druscilla Favors, assistant treasurer; Verlette Toms, financial secretary; James Brooks, assistant financial secretary; Golden Williamson, clerk; and Deborah Robertson, assistant clerk.

Many souls were won to Christ under Pastor Mack’s leadership.

The Boy Scout Troop (#109) was formed under the administration of Rev. Davidson was the longest continuous Boy Scout troop maintained by a black church in Cleveland County. The Scout Masters included A. B. Shuford, Frank Borders and Charles Degree, who held the position for 30 years. Troop #109 proudly produced three Eagle Scouts: Christopher Stamp, Damion Webster and Jerry Boyce, Jr.

Shiloh also maintained a Girl Scout troop under the leadership of Othella Borders, Lucille Evans, Phyllis Sadler, Ovella Jones, Dorothy Mask, Zaviera Miller and others. 

The Missionary Department of Shiloh Baptist Church has been a vital part of the church’s history for many years. The Clara Oates and Dinah Bostic Senior Mission groups were very active, especially at the old church site. These ladies were truly committed to doing mission work.

The Annie Jones and the Wilson-Woods groups also began at the old church site. The middle adult group received permission to name their group the Sarah Black Mission Group after Sarah Black, a long-time Shiloh member, who was very committed to mission work. Sarah Black was a past president of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the Ebenezer Association from 1966-1968.

Louise Howell was president of the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) for many years and was an organizer and leader in helping Shiloh maintain a strong church missionary presence. Shiloh was consistently recognized as an A-1 Missionary group for many years by the Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Convention of North Carolina for having active senior groups, young adult groups, and youth groups. Other women who served as president of the Shiloh WMU include Geraldine Carlton, Dorothy Ann Ager, Elaine Williamson and Lois Howell. Our Youth Missionary group served under the strong leadership of Beatrice Barber for several years. The Young Adult Department was led by Elaine Williamson.

In 2014, the Wilson-Woods Mission group joined in with the Annie Jones Mission group. As of 2015, Shiloh maintains two active senior missionary groups, the Sarah Black Mission and the Annie Jones Mission groups. The WMU is now called The Women’s Auxiliary, and they operate with an updated mission statement. The Woman’s Auxiliary projects have included making 39 dresses for girls in Haiti with additional donations for shoes and underwear, donating bibles for the homeless, taking part in the World Day of Prayer, Woman’s Prayer Retreat and various other programs of our Association.

Additional highlights of the Mission Groups include preparing care packages for our college students and members of the military, coordinating quarterly bingo sessions for senior residents of White Oak Manor, providing gift shoeboxes of personal items for Cleveland County Seniors to Care Solutions each Christmas, sponsorship of the annual Shiloh Senior Citizens’ Christmas Dinner, and providing church members with gifts on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

The Annie Jones Group regularly visits the nursing homes and our shut-in sick members. They also donate supplies to the Women’s Shelter and Hospice on a quarterly basis.

Soul winning has been the main concern for each missionary group at Shiloh Baptist Church and has been a proud part of our church legacy.

Pastor Dantè Murphy was called to serve as interim pastor on November 5, 2006. He was elected to serve as part-time pastor on May 30, 2009. The church’s accomplishments under Pastor Murphy’s administration include:

• Establishing a clothes closet to help community people in need
• Feeding clients at the local Men’s Homeless Shelter
• Serving as a host site for The Community Math Academy
• Supporting the Burning Bush Yard Ministry
• Deacons carrying monthly communion to sick and shut-in church members
• Creation of a new church mission statement with emphasis on bible study, Sunday School, tithing and worship
• Starting an Altar Ministry which includes the Associate Ministers and Deacons
• Deacons added: Elton Barber (May 2, 2010), Daniel Howell (May 20, 2012), Dwight Toms, Sherwood Hardin (9/22/2013)
• Deacon emeritus status was given to two senior deacons: Paul Shuford and Joseph Borders
• Ministry position descriptions were written for each ministry of the church
• March 10, 2009, amendments to Church Constitution and Bylaws were adopted
• Property Usage and Policies and Procedures guidelines were updated
• New leadership group, Core Ministry, was established which includes leaders from the deacons, trustees, and finance department
• Revival services were changed from weekly services to the second, third and fourth Sunday in the month of July
• Implementation of a men’s fellowship breakfast that is held quarterly
• Jean Mitchell was hired as the part-time church secretary
• Youth pastor, Rev. Curtis Degree, was hired in 2015
• Three associate pastors, Annie Murphy (Pastoral Care), Bernice Mitchell (Spiritual Foundation), and Curtis Degree (Youth Pastor), were ordained Tuesday, June 30, 2015
• Joint worship services for New Year’s Eve and Good Friday Services were established with Shiloh, Mt. Calvary and Hoppers Chapel
• Vacation Bible School was changed from a three-day session to a one-day session
• The Church Security Team and Media Ministry were started
• Annual Baby Dedication service, New Members reception, and Birthday Celebration were implemented
• New technology was added to the church and included security cameras, new sound equipment, projector and screens
• Purchased church marquee sign and installed new church windows
• An Annual Veteran and Active-Duty Recognition service was implemented
• Long-time minister of music, Ray Harper, retired. After his departure, the following musicians were employed: Trevor Gray, Bobby Burson; and Bishop James Wiley. Choir Directors include Herbert Johnson and Cassandra Sanders.
• Special Recognition for living cornerstone officers Deacon A. B. Shuford, Deacon Mack Corry, Deacon George Thompson, Sr., and Deacon Jerry Mitchell

The Deacons serving in 2015 were Jerry Mitchell (Chairman), Charles Degree (Vice Chairman) Elton Barber (Secretary), Dwight Toms, Sherwood Hardin, Sr., Daniel Howell.

The Deaconesses serving in 2015 were Doris Williams (Chairperson), Lena Borders, Agnes Toms, Corine Cabaniss, Linda Wilson, and Jean Mitchell.

The Trustees serving in 2015 were Lavar Curry, James Byrd, Fred Mitchell (Vice Chairman), Jimmy Curry, Wayne Howell, Will Wilson, Samuel Brown, Jr., Phillip Williams (Chairman), Joseph Finney, and Curtis Harris.

The Trustees were instrumental in acquiring three additional parcels of real estate property for the church, which included two properties on Bonny Street and one property on Crawford Street.

The Sunday School Department continues to thrive and grow. The following members have served as Sunday School Superintendents since 2003: Renee Etchison- 2002-2003; Geraldine Carlton- 2003-2006; Fred Mitchell- 2006-2012; Alisa Petty- 2012-2014; Jerry Mitchell- 2014-Present.

Shiloh’s Early Beginnings

Shiloh Baptist Church’s first building in 1867 adjoined the Sunset Cemetery area in Shelby, NC. Shiloh maintained that church location from 1867 until 1887 when it then moved to Weathers Street in the heart of Shelby. In 1885, while still at the Sunset Cemetery location, Shiloh Church opened the first public school for Negro students in the city of Shelby. 

Here are excerpts from historical records pertaining to the original Shiloh site. In the 1956 book, The Living Past of Cleveland County: A History by Lee B. Weathers, he writes

“Ida Roberts was born in 1867, the daughter of a Negro preacher, she came to Shelby with her husband in 1885 and taught in the Shiloh Negro Church which was then located at Sunset Cemetery. This one room church served as a school building for Negroes until a larger building was constructed on the present site of The Cleveland Training School.”

Rev Edwards joined the Shiloh Baptist Church as pastor in October 2017. Under his administration the membership has steadily grown, setting a path for a promising twenty-first century full of service to our heavenly father and to our community. The Christian Education Committee has grown to include youth classes and Wednesday studies.

During his leadership, Shiloh remained an anchor church site for the Community Math Academy, Inc that provides an annual three-week summer school math enrichment program. In addition, an ongoing community-based food and commodities program helps to distribute needed items to community families. 

The annual October Harvest Festival and Summer Block Part Outreach program have allowed Shiloh to be closely connected with community youth. Shiloh continues to open its doors to host community events which include workshops and Ebeneezer Missionary Baptist Association sponsored programs.

Rev Edwards has placed great emphasis on serving the sick and shut-in, families going through bereavement and people facing hardships.

With Rev Edwards’ help during 2023 – 2025 research efforts, Shiloh was able to locate its original church site built in 1867. This first church adjoins the Sunset Cemetery property in Shelby, NC. While Shiloh remains as the oldest black church founded in Shelby, NC, uncovered historical records show that in 1885, Shiloh opened the first public school for black students at its original church site. 

One minister, Rev Jeremy Mitchell, was ordained under his leadership. The ministerial pulpit team in 2025 includes: Minister Lucresia Moore, Rev. Bobby Malloy, Dr. Barbara Barner, Minister Linda Hardin, Rev. Bernice Mitchell, Rev. Larry Dixon, and Rev. Lawrence Roseboro.

The current Deacons are Jerry Mitchell (Chairman), Charles Degree (Vice Chairman), and Dwight Toms.

The current Deaconesses are Agnes Toms (Chairperson), Doris Williams, Linda Wilson, Jean Mitchell, Veronica Wray, Sherri Sharpe, Lois Howell, Margaret Malloy.

The current Trustees are Fred Mitchell (Chairman), Jimmy Curry (Vice Chairman), Wayne Howell, Wayne Wilson, Curtis Harris, Phillip Williams, Joseph Finney, and Curtis Harris.

During the extraordinarily difficult Covid era times, spanning 2020 -2023, Shiloh found spiritual and technological ways (live stream etc.) to continue its Sunday worship services with no closed dates. 

Additional church achievements under Rev Edwards administration include:

• Established a 501 3c status for the church,
• Updated policy and procedures manual,
• Enhancements to personnel committee,
• Land donation from Mrs. Cleo P Hoyle for creation of new expanded parking lot,
• Early payoff of an existing church loan,
• Continued updates and remodeling of church parsonage now used as rental property,
• Increased church sponsorship in Foreign Mission participation by local individuals,
• Continued emphasis church upkeep- maintenance projects that include new awnings for inclement weather and ongoing technology updates,
• Plans to increase trustee membership in 2025-2026,
• Purchase of new church van that is fully paid for now.