History Shiloh Community United Methodist Church

 

Overview 

Shiloh Church had its humble beginnings about the year 1863 when a group of Christians wished to fellowship with their neighbors and decided to worship together. Shiloh’s original church was located near its cemetery, but was destroyed by the fire. The congregation began meeting and praying from house to house until a group of white churchmen came to their assistance and gave them a building in 1885. This building filled a much needed place in the community.  Serving its primary role as a place for spiritual worship, the church also served as a public school, marriage center, and community learning center.  Due to growth, a larger modern building was erected in 1966; the Annex was completed a few years later. Shiloh still serves the congregation and community alike.

 1863 - 1885 

The first pastor of Shiloh was a white minister, a Rev. Wainwright. After having been governed by a board of trustees composed of white individuals and a white minister, a minister of their own race was desired. Rev. William H. Dyson was chosen as the first Negro minister. During his leadership, the original church located near the cemetery met with disaster in the form of fire.  Those determined pioneers continued to meet in homes praying and trusting God to show them the way. The enlarged membership and persistent attendance made it necessary to build a new church. Land was purchased from a Mr. John Dutton.

During the 1880’s Shiloh became affiliated with the Washington Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Charles Circuit and soon received its first conference appointed minister, Rev. Daniel Wheeler, under whose leadership the second church began to rise.

 1885 - 1960

 In 1885, Rev. Joshua Barnes successfully completed and dedicated the new “Shiloh Church”.  This church was a small white wooden vernacular chapel, formerly located behind Shiloh’s current Annex. A rectory was attached to the church in 1904.  It had generators for controlling the light system of the sanctuary. There was a balcony that was used when more sitting room was needed. Also, one room upstairs was used for meetings. One room downstairs was used for entertainment and special purposes.  In the sanctuary, there were special seats up front, to the right of the pulpit, which was called the “Amen Corner” and to the left were seats for class leaders.  Two wood burning stoves were used for heating the church: one up front and one in the back as you entered the sanctuary. There were chimes in the church’s bell tower that rang twice a day. They were described as “beautiful and very touching”; and could be heard throughout the community. Many, many activities were held at this little church, such as 2-week camp meetings; hosting the District Conferences; and providing places for some people to stay until the conference ended.  The old parsonage was built, during the tenure of Rev. Alexander, in 1895 directly behind the wooden church until it was destroyed by fire in the 1956. This church served the church family well and stood as a beacon in the community.

 

The Little School House:  In 1878, the John T. Dutton and Josephine A. Dutton family deeded one acre for the construction of a school house.  Shiloh Elementary School was a little yellow and brown building with two classrooms, an entrance hall, a small kitchen and an outside bathroom next to the white wooden church.  In these two classrooms, the kids were taught math, spelling, science and social studies.  Most of the children would walk to school, each coming from many directions because there were no school buses. The classrooms were heated with a black round pot belly stove which was in the middle of the room.  The children would sit around it to keep warm.  About once a month, a doctor would come to the school to give needles [immunization shots] for different kind of diseases.  Teachers and students would fix lunch in the kitchen on a wood burning stove.  The boys chopped wood to keep it going and stacked the other wood in the shed behind the school.  Some of the volunteer teachers included Mrs. Lena Dyson, Mrs. Minnie C. Hill, Mrs. Edna Middleton, Mrs. Ruth Hawkins and many others.  Many activities were held at the school to include: church activities and meetings, May Day, Field Day, cooking and sewing classes for adults, movies on the weekend and other educational lessons. During the summer months, families would get together for can food processing of fruits, vegetables and meats. The [center] meant much to the church and the community – “It was a great asset.   Almost everything was done at the little yellow school”, says Ms. Rebecca Meredith.  In 1951, as a result of consolidation, the school was closed and acquired by the church for use as a dining room and recreation center.

 The Tolson House: This dwelling, sitting north of the church, was built in 1920 by local carpenter George Henry Shade.  The house was conveyed to the church trustees in 1953 by Ms. Ruth C. Tolson. The house was later used as the church’s parsonage for its full-time pastors until around 1994.

 1960 - 1970

 In 1961 under the leadership of Rev. Thomas Barrington, the pastor and congregation realized the need for a larger, more modern building. A committee was appointed to investigate possibilities and make plans.

 In 1964 it became necessary for the church to be incorporated. It was discovered that there was already one Shiloh Methodist Church in Charles County. Shiloh Methodist Church at Newburg proceeded to change its name. Members were asked to submit appropriate names for the church. The name Shiloh Community United Methodist Church was submitted by a youth leader, Leland R. Jones.

Ground was broken for the new building on April 10, 1965. On March 20, 1966, the congregation and minister, Rev. James O. Waters rejoiced and praised God as they marched from the old white frame building into the new modern edifice.  As part of the celebration, congregant James Brown donated a mirror for use in the lady’s room.  {NOTE:  In 2006, Mr. Brown asked about the mirror that he had given to the church. Upon learning that the mirror was not found, Mr. Brown gave the companion mirror from his home to Shiloh prior to his death. The second mirror was dedicated on Shiloh’s 144^th anniversary in March 2007.}  Around 1968, Mr. Monroe Washington constructed a bell tower to the right of the new building to place the bell from the old church.  That bell is still used to ring in Sunday worship services.

 The major concern of the church has always been winning souls to Christ. However, Shiloh has reached out to fill other needs of the community as well. The church Annex was built to house the Child Development Center, which served the pre-school children from neighboring communities until 1979. This building is now used as a dining room and fellowship hall. 

1980 - 1990

 In 1986 it became necessary to make major improvements to the entire building. With the leadership and support of our pastor, Rev. Dr. Willie Mae Parker, a proposal was submitted and the long-term renovation process began in 1987.   

Between 1987 and 1997, Shiloh replaced the church and Annex roofs, changed Annex and sanctuary doors, installed a new air conditioning system and ductwork, and began to clean up the cemetery for a future expansion. The sanctuary was enhanced with paneled altar walls, carpet, and cushioned pews, a new piano and padded chairs for the choir seating area.  Shiloh also constructed a new sidewalk, a brick barbeque and church sign.  The bricks for the sidewalk and barbeque pit were donated by Lawrence Harris. The church sign was donated by Mr. Herman Marshall. 

Stained Glass Windows: Under Rev. Adam’s leadership, Shiloh sought to visualize the spirit of faith. Shiloh commissioned the Shenandoah Stained Glass Company to design stained glass windows illustrating scripture and religious symbols. Shiloh replaced the old drapery behind the altar with a large scene depicting Jesus gesturing “Come Unto Me” and replaced the sanctuary windows along both aisles with stained glass windows containing religious symbols.  The stained glass windows were completed August 30, 1992.  In addition, the Annex was modernized with paneled walls, carpet and a drop ceiling.  The Come Unto Me” scene was unveiled under the leadership of Rev. Diggs, August 24, 1997.  

The Bench:  During the late 1990’s, there was discussion about cutting down the beautiful huge Red Oak tree that stood in front of the church.  In an effort to save this 100-plus year old tree, Brother Thomas Prout obtained approval to place a bench beneath it to not only protect the many above-ground roots but also for shield from the sun.  Brother Prout donated the bench in memory of his parents James and Pearl Prout in August 1998.  Unfortunately, in September 2003, the huge old oak tree was destroyed during Hurricane Isabel. Brother Prout saved some of the wood from the tree to be used to carve a pair of praying hands. 

2000 - present

 In 2002, the Soul Saviors of Shiloh celebrated their 40^th anniversary and remain faithful after decades of ministering and singing praises to our Lord. 

Praises be to God, church ministries continued to grow in faith.  Shiloh’s lay ministry grew and still maintains a large and active discipleship for Christ.  The Youth Ministries also blossomed, resulting in large numbers of kids attending church school, vacation bible school, youth choir, inspirational dance and step teams, volunteering, accepting leadership roles and attending church conferences and training.  Shiloh choirs, including the Voices of Praise [youth choir], still sing praises to the Lord and are often in demand to sing at other churches. 

 In 2003, the Sanctuary Unity Choir of Shiloh recorded its first music CD entitled “Twelve Gates to the City: An Anthology of African-American Sacred Singing in Southern Maryland“ – an anthology of rural singing and preaching styles in African American Churches of Southern Maryland. It was produced and recorded by Michael and Carrie Noble Kline, Talking Across the Lines, LLC.  CD’s may be purchased via http://www.mab-x-music.com/artist/america.html or www.amazon.com .

Maryland Historic Trust:  In 2003, Shiloh Church was honored by being added to Maryland’s Inventory of Historic Properties. Inventory  #CH-365 includes the 1885 church, the 1895 parsonage, the 1904 rectory, the 1965 church and Annex, and the 1920 Tolson House. The cemetery [CH-364] was added to the inventory some years prior.  

Other projects were completed to memorialize member efforts and to create funding to sustain church operations. A Memorial Wall was installed in the vestibule to pay tribute to dedicated servants of God in 2000-2001. The Finance Committee successfully placed a “Tree of Life” display on the opposite wall in the vestibule in February, 2003 as part of its ongoing fundraising effort. Church members can purchase parts of a tree to memorialize family members.  And, shortly before Easter 2005, Shiloh constructed the “3 Crosses of Calvary” in the front yard, between the bell tower and the church, to honor Christ. The crosses remind us that Jesus died for our sins and anyone that believes in Him would be saved.

 

In 2005, under the leadership of Rev. James W. Diggs, it became necessary to make structural improvements to the church.  A Building Committee was formed and renovation plans were approved.  The renovation was completed in 2006 and included a new roof; relocating the air conditioning units from the church’s roof; relocating the restrooms and creating large handicap accessible facilities; and digging a new larger well system to meet church needs.  New glass vestibule doors were installed in the sanctuary, and Bro. Deon Thomas donated and installed new glass doors for the Annex. The Finance, Choir and Children’s classrooms were renovated.  The kitchen was also updated to meet Maryland State code.  And, the church now has an Administrative Secretary’s Office with a new computer system and an all-in-one fax machine

 In 2006, the Gospel Traveleers of Shiloh celebrated their 34 anniversary and remain faithful after decades of ministering and singing praises to our Lord.

 In 2006, Shiloh established its first webpage and started publishing the informative Shiloh Church Beacon newsletter.   

 Shiloh Community United Methodist Church
12696 Shiloh Church Road, Newburg, MD  20664
Tele# 301.259.4398
E-mail: shilohcommunity@netzero.net
Website: http://www.gbgm-umc.org/shiloh-community-umc/main.html

 [Historical Committee - March 2007]

Click to view the list of Past Pastors of Shiloh Community United Methodist Church