Shiloh Baptist celebrates 275 years

By Vic Ramsey

"Linking the past to the future through the present" was a descriptive theme for the 275th anniversary of North Carolina's oldest continuing Baptist church.

Shiloh Baptist Church, located in rural Camden County, celebrated its birth with a series of services Oct 5-6 that featured period dress from the 18th century, and a digital piano and PowerPoint presentation from the 21st.

The three worship services featured messages from Baptist State Convention Executive Director-treasurer Jim Royston, Chowan Baptist Associational Missionary Jim Pollard, and former pastor, Steve Wilson.

Wilson reflected on Shiloh as "a place where God has caused His name to dwell," and urged the congregation to live up to that name.

Royston reminded the church: "We have a heritage that must be celebrated and embraced, a present that must be lived and enjoyed, and a future to anticipate by the grace and power of God's Holy Spirit."

Pollard spoke on Jesus' story about old wineskins and new wine, reminding the congregation that, while they had a marvelous history, they must still be open to change and innovation.

During its first century, Shiloh birthed nine churches in northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Five of those churches are still in existence today: Oak Grove Baptist Church in the Pungo section of Virginia Beach (1762), Yeopim Baptist Church in Chowan County (1771), First Baptist Church of Elizabeth City (1786), Salem Baptist Church in Weeksville (1790), and Sawyer's Creek Baptist Church in Camden County (1790).

The church is also notable for having ordained Charles Williams to the ministry in 1890. Williams went on to serve as a professor of Greek and New Testament at Southwestern Seminary and Mercer University. He returned to Shiloh as pastor from 1941-46, and published a translation of the New Testament in 1949.

Tom Lagrand, pastor of Sawyer's Creek Baptist Church, was one of several representatives from "daughter" churches to speak during the celebration. His challenge was, "Looking back should not take you back, but inspire you to move forward." Shiloh began a contemporary service and worship team in 2000 and is beginning to see results from its recent implementation of the FAITH Sunday School evangelism program.

Asked what he wanted to see happen over the next five years, current pastor David Combs responded, "I just want to see God's Spirit take hold of our people, and our church reach out to all of Camden County."

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Vic Ramsey is pastor of Moyock Baptist Church in Moyock.)