Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Shiloh Baptist Church, Shiloh, NC – PART FOUR of FIVE

Thomas E Kresal Admin · 2 hrs March 26, 2020

Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Shiloh Baptist Church, Shiloh, NC – PART FOUR of FIVE

The church has not been without some controversy. As mentioned earlier, in 1758 the membership split over doctrinal differences. The minutes of the Kehukee Association reveal that Shiloh Church was admitted to that association in 1771, but was expelled in 1775 because the church and pastor, Henry Abbott, took a stand against proposed reforms. The church was readmitted in 1778 and remained with that association until 1806, when the Chowan Association was formed.

There have been four name changes since the church was formed. The first name given to the church was Burges’ Meeting House. It was changed to North Meeting House and later, to Camden Meeting House. In 1812, the name Shiloh was adopted. The name Shiloh is biblical and means peaceable or pacific. Shiloh was the ancient city of Ephraim, which was one of the earliest and most sacred Hebrew sanctuaries.

The present sanctuary, which originally included a balcony for Negro Members, was built in 1848-49, at the cost of $2400.00. This meeting house was built on land included in John Burges’ estate. In 1774, John’s son, Dempsey Burges, conveyed the property to the Baptist Society.

This photograph made by Zoeller, Morgan Company around 1895 pictures the congregation of Shiloh Baptist Church soon after the steeple was added to the building. Mary and Luke Stevens donated funds and labor to add the steeple in 1878. Luke Stevens died from flu and pneumonia on March 8, 1878 and Mary Stevens died from the flu ten days later. (Courtesy of Linda Ann Mansfield.) Page 89, Camden County, by A. Burgess Jennings, Arcadia Publishing.

Several additions have been made to the 1849 structure. The Steeple and bell were added in 1878.

Presented by Thomas E. Kresal from:

https://www.camdencountync.gov/…/shil…/shiloh-baptist-church