SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Founded 1867
Worship in the Cedar Fork Township for “persons of color” can be traced to the early records of the Cedar Fork Baptist Church. According to their earliest church records, African Americans worshipping with the white congregation predate the Civil War. Sunday morning found them in the rear of the church or in the balcony. Included in the Cedar Fork Baptist Church history is a membership roll that contained “Colored” members – slave and free – listed by first name only. During some of the most turbulent years in our nation's history, Shiloh's ancestors worshipped and served God as part of the Cedar Fork Baptist Church congregants.
In 1865 “privilege was given the Colored people to make suitable preparations to hold Sabbath school on the grounds on the condition that they conduct themselves with propriety, [to be judged by the deacons of the church].” However, after the Civil War, African-Americans began to withdraw from Cedar Fork Baptist. In the October 1867 conference meeting “a committee was appointed at Cedar Fork Baptist to consider a report upon a separation of the white and Colored members of the church. The Committee on Separation retired for a short time. Upon returning, they submitted the following report:
'Your committee to whom was referred the consideration of the white and Colored membership of this church begs leave to submit the following report. The subject is one of grave importance and one that has for the last few years puzzled churches, associations, and conventions to know what course to pursue, but it seems now that the mystery heretofore connected with the matter is at least to some extend removed. This will appear by consulting their (the Colored members’) inclination, as manifested in the course they are pursuing. We see they are inclined, very much inclined, to independent action in religious matters as well as everything else, and seem to have no heart to worship God (even at churches where their memberships are) with the white race. This of itself, to our minds, very clearly indicates the course to be pursued, and that is a dissolution of our relationship as church members.
We would, therefore, recommend that the Colored members of this church be requested to withdraw from the church, and organize churches of their own race and color, where they can worship God without restraint and embarrassment.'”
The recommendation of this committee led the Colored members of Cedar Fork Baptist Church to take the necessary action to organize and their first meeting was held under a brush arbor on the property of Major Weaver. With approximately fifty members under the leadership of Rev. Ed Cole, the church became the institution of religious and social cohesion for the community. This group chose to name their church Shiloh because of their experiences with Cedar Fork Baptist Church, the outcome of the Civil War and the scriptures, Judges 21:19 and Joshua 18:19. THUS, SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH BEGAN ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF OCTOBER 1867. Rev. Cole remained the pastor for nine years and he was instrumental in establishing leadership in the church and the community.
In 1873, Rev. Lewis Hackney became pastor and during his administration Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church moved to its present location, 1004 Church Street, Morrisville, NC, on land donated by Major Weaver. The church’s location, adjacent to the Southern Railway and the Hillsborough to Raleigh Road, helped tremendously in spearheading growth in the area. Shiloh became a symbol of prosperity, success and permanence for African Americans living in the community. In 1882, Rev. James H. Dunston became pastor. During his ministry the original church was torn down and a new church was erected. More importantly, Rev. Dunston expanded the role of the pastor and church. While serving as pastor he established an economic and educational base for the community. A public school was established and from 1882 to 1885 Rev. Dunston served on the Cedar Fork Colored School District Committee. During Rev. Dunston’s pastorate many members were encouraged to purchase farms and the community organized a co-op store for area residences. We are reminded of the legacy of Rev. Dunston in the community and at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, as he is the only person buried on the church lawn.
The leadership at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church has come in a succession of pastors following Rev. Dunston. They included Rev. H.S. Fuller, 1925; Rev. T.C. Cole, 1926; Rev. J.S. Stewart, 1928; Rev. Hill, 1936; Rev. W.H. Bland, 1941; Rev J.H. Jones, 1951; Rev. C.R. Mitchell, 1960; Rev. L.E. Daye, 1963; Rev. J. Leak, 1977, Rev. Eric Bunch, 1990, and Rev. McArthur Pettiford, 1995. All these pastors worked to increase the involvement of the membership in activities within the church and community.
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church has always taken an active role in the political issues of the day. It promoted the civil rights of all individuals and the church became a life-long member of the Shiloh Branch of the NAACP. Young members broke the racial barriers, attending all white public schools in Cary, NC establishing precedence for Wake County Public Schools.
Our history has witnessed the ordination of ministers, Nathaniel Mayo, Harold Daniels, Alton Fennell, Pam Croom, and David Jones. We have witnessed a legacy of Christian service through Music Professors A. Ruffus Green, W.H. Barbee, Luther Green, Willie Mayo, Jr., J.W. Burroughs, Walter Mayo, and Nathaniel Mayo. We have shared in missionary zeal, community service and evangelism through Willie Mayo, Sr., Matthew Mills, Rufus Barbee, Flossie Dunston, Zula Mills, Margaret J. Green, Willia Mayo, Eula Barbee, Helen Dunnigan, Madge P. Greene, Lillian Pennington, Bertha Carrington, Lucille Crowe, Gladys Burroughs, Katie Lackey, Maggie Barbee and Nora Mayo. Equally supporting our Christian ministries are the living legacies of members like Aree Monroe, Thelma McCrimmon, Ruby Mayo, Sarah Harris, Lula McCrimmon, Margie Dawkins, Survada Hicks, Ruby Greene, Alma Burwell, Elnora Grimsley, Ethel Holland, Lois Burroughs, Eddie Branch, Stafford Crowe, Levi Barbee, Herbert Barbee, Etheridge Hatley and Nathaniel Whittaker. These and so many, many more have laid the foundation for our church today. Their examples of Christian worship, community and service guide us in the first decade of this 21st century.
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church not only serves the needs of the community, it is the “mother” church of Northeast Baptist Church and Mt. Zion Baptist Church, both in Durham, N.C. Also springing from Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church is Morning Star Missionary Baptist, Durham, NC. Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church presently holds membership in the New Hope Missionary Baptist Association, the New Hope Convention Choir, and the Durham Ushers Union.
Today we sit in the heart of the Research Triangle Park, NC where we continue to embrace Baptist tenets and the teaching of Jesus Christ. Currently, under the direction of our Pastor, Rev. David Jones, we invite you to join us. Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church holds steadfast with a “MISSION OF CARING, A MISSION OF SHARING, AND A MISSION OF LOVE.” At Shiloh, " A Church Where Everybody is Somebody and God is All"
