Shiloh Baptist Church

      The Shiloh Baptist Church has become one of Kentucky's largest and most progressive predominately African-American congregations. Its sole purpose is "To Bring People To Membership In God's Family, Maturing and Mobilizing Them For Meaningful Ministries As We Fulfill The Great Commandment And The Great Commission In The New Millennium".

      In April 1896, thirty(30) former members of Main Street Baptist Church and six (6) former members of Liberty Baptist Church began worshiping on Sundays and Fridays (prayer meeting), in a race horse barn at the north side of old Thomas Street (now Arbor Grove Way). Four (4) months later a duly Constituted Counsel gave its approval and this group of baptized believers in Jesus Christ became Shiloh Baptist Church. On October 22, 1896, the new church began worshiping in a little shotgun house at 533 Thomas Street. Within one (1) year the men of Shiloh had built a new church on lots 515-517 Thomas Street which served as its home until 1922. This wooden structure was moved to the rear and a new brick structure was erected in 1923 which contained a beautiful, melodious pipe organ, located with choir stand above the baptistry, officer's room and pastor's study. In 1938, Shiloh razed facilities at 513 & 519 Thomas Street and constructed an annex of which more than doubled the square footage of the church building. The new addition contained an assembly room with a stage, dining room and kitchen, choir room, pastor’s office with private two-piece bath and four restrooms for women and men. Accordion walls converted assembly and dining rooms into classrooms. Other renovations occurred around 1956 in order to accommodate our growing membership.

      By January 1963, our membership had grown to 744, and Shiloh decided to purchase the Felix Memorial Baptist Church building at 237 East Fifth Street for $55,000.00. On Sunday October 6, 1963, Shiloh moved from Thomas Street to its present location. The men of Shiloh renovated the sanctuary and lower auditorium in 1979 while the old education plant was being razed. Following ground breaking ceremonies on February 4, 1979, the new 114 room Education Building was erected and dedicated November 4-11, 1979. Later this facility was named in memory of Rev. T.H. Smith, who served. as pastor from January 1932 until September 1962. Additional properties were purchased and new parking lots were opened in 1995. Also, new kitchen facilities opened in 1995. Two parsonages were purchased (1954 - 352 Chestnut Street) and (1973 - 1862 Colchester Drive). Both facilities have been sold.

      Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, seven (7) pastors have been called" to lead our congregation as "under shepherds" since October 1896. Several organizations, individuals and movements have played essential roles in "Kingdom Building" throughout our near "One-hundred and five year" history. We salute the following "under shepherds who God sent to lead our congregation of thirty-six (36) members in 1896 to 1500 in 2001": Rev. Titus Buckner (August 1896 - October 1914); Rev. Marshall Moore (November 1914 - October 193 1); Rev. T.H. Smith (January 1932 - September 1962); Rev. J.B. Haile (October 1962 - May 1965); Rev. G.H. Childs Sr. (September 1965 - April 1996); Rev. Theodore Rogers (August 1997 - August 1998); and Rev. Joseph L. Owens (September 1999 to the present).

       We pray for God's continuing guidance as we employ greater vehicles in fulfilling His Great Commandment and the great Commission in the New Millennium.