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History of Shiloh Baptist Church
Shiloh Baptist Church is the fourth oldest black church in Hartford. The church was organized in 1889, as a result of a split in the membership of the Union Baptist Church of Hartford.  There were two groups of members who wanted to be known as Union Baptist.  However, one of the groups was successful in getting a charter from the State before the other group arrived.  Thus the late group organized themselves as the Shiloh Baptist Church.  This began the spiritual journey of our church home.
 
In 1889, a group of faithful Christians held their first meeting at the home of Sister Lucy Roy on Albany Avenue.  It was at this time that they decided to form a new religious body.  Since they had no permanent church home at that time, they met in various places such as Green Hall on Albany Avenue, a Hall on Asylum Avenue, and a similar Hall on Church Street.  The body was then recognized by a council at the Church Street Hall and was set aside as a regular organized Baptist Church.  Twenty-two Christians made up the Membership at that time.
THE CHURCH HAS BEEN PASTORED BY THE FOLLOWING MINISTERS:

 

Reverend Benjamin Walker  1890 - 1893

Reverend George W. Tyler   1893 – 1904 Under his leadership, the first church site was purchased and the church built on Mather Street.  

Reverend S. W. Smith 1904 - 1905 Served and gave the membership a calm after a strenuous building program. 

Reverend W. A. Harrod 1906 - 1918  Under Reverend Harrod's leadership Shiloh moved into its present church building location at 350 Albany Avenue in 1911.

Reverend W. B. Reed 1918 - 1923  His ministry is remembered as promoting high moral conviction and racial consciousness. 

Reverend S. T. Eldridge 1923 – 1928 During his leadership his service is known for giving the church popular influence.  During his tenure, the pipe organ was installed and paid for. 

Reverend Robert A. Moody 1929 – 1975   Under his pastoral direction, the total indebtedness of the Church, the Center, Parsonage and parking lot were liquidated.  In addition, he instituted outstanding social projects which included; a feeding project for the school children, a clothing exchange, and the publication of our weekly bulletin, "The Beacon" to name a few.  However, after almost forty-six years of service, Dr. Moody resigned as our Pastor and was unanimously voted "Pastor Emeritus" of the Shiloh Baptist Church, Inc.

Reverend King T. Hayes 1975 - 2007   His tenure as pastor can best be characterized by his hard work in service to the Church, to the community and most of all by the compassion and love he and his wife, Deaconess Doris Cobbs Hayes, have shown to their extended Shiloh family. 

Under his leadership, the Church's accomplishments have been many. Listed below are a few

  • A monthly Youth Day Program and several annual celebrations.
  • The Church was renovated and redecorated
  • Purchase of two fifteen passenger vans
  • The lower auditorium and the Hartford overpass were officially dedicated the "Rev. Dr. Robert A. Moody Auditorium” and the “Rev. Dr. Robert A. Moody Overpass" respectively, in tribute to the late Rev. Dr. Robert A. Moody. 
  • In 1992, after 50 years of being out of operation, reopened the Shiloh Soup Kitchen in service to the hungry.  Through this outreach program, many thousands of meals have been served.
  • 24 hour Prayer Line, Prison Ministry, and television ministry which is broadcasted on three public access stations serving an audience of several thousand viewers each week.
  • In the community Pastor Hayes served as president of the Capital Region Conference of Churches and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, respectively.  He also served on the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission for three years and has been interviewed by numerous publications for his continued efforts to be of service to the community. 
  • Rev. Hayes received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree from Martha's Vineyard Theological Seminary, and he has received several other awards. 

After 31 years of service to Shiloh Baptist Church and the Hartford community Pastor Hayes announced his retirement. 

On February 16, 2007 after much prayer and guidance from God Shiloh extended and had the call accepted by Rev. Charles E. Turner.  Pastor Turner and his wife Markesha Turner come to Shiloh from Houston, TX and are originally from Nashville, TN. In the short time under his leadership Shiloh has already experienced tremendous spiritual, numerical, and financial growth. We look forward to the continued legacy of excellence that comes from Shiloh and know that great things are yet in store for us.

Although these accomplishments are great, our single greatest treasure is our membership over the years who have gone on and left a great legacy for us to cherish.

With continued hard work, persistence, and the help and guidance of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Shiloh will forge ahead into the future with grit and determination to continue make Shiloh a “PLACE OF PEACE” .
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

All Rights Reserved / Copyright © 2008-2009 Shiloh Baptist Church ▪ 350 Albany Avenue Hartford, Connecticut  06120 ▪  Ph: 860-247-3767 ▪ Fax: 860-246-1608
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