Shiloh Baptist Church

 “For the body is not one member, but many.”  1 Cor. 12:14 KJV

These days, it looks like the urgency and the influence of the church is disappearing, and as we approach our Church’s 115^th Anniversary I wonder how do we get back to the fire and desire to build a church like we did 115 years ago? What is it that makes the need to establish a church so important? If it takes people, what kind of people? If it takes money, then where is it going to come from? If it takes commitment what does that mean?

In 1896, the Supreme Court ruled that separate but equal is constitutional through the Plessy v Ferguson Case. Immediately following, local and state laws were created and in some cases enhanced, to prohibit Black people from participating fully in American Society. The Church has always had impact, and it is no secret that the Black Church is a staple in our community. When we could depend on no one else we knew we could depend on God. We knew the power of prayer and worship, so we had to build our own churches.

We persisted through faith, and all these many years later it’s hard to imagine what the world was like in the 1900s when Shiloh Baptist Church was established. Against all odds, time marched on, and there were many accomplishments and many set-backs, but our Church history tells us that in July 1907, a small group of concerned citizens came together to formulate this church. And here we stand; 115 years later.

The 1900s were depressing times. It was an era filled with strenuous hard work and did not offer much of a future for the family. Theodore Roosevelt was POTUS. If you could afford it, you could go to the movies for a nickel. If you were an average worker, you earned $3,000 annually, and you virtually would be stuck in the same job for the rest of your life. If you could get one.

At the time that the vision of Shiloh was evolving Major League Baseball, America’s favorite past time, was played by the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers. The Cubs won the series four games to none. In 1907, the paper towel was invented. A Philadelphia school teacher found a way to keep her students from perpetuating a cold epidemic by cutting separate pieces of paper to avoid the sharing the same cloth towel. That was great, but the founders of Shiloh were on a bigger mission.

In 1907, Americans had a life-expectancy of just 45.6 years for men, and 49.9 for women. This was also the year that typhoid fever, an abdominal disease which was spread through water and food supplies, ravaged the nation. Public health officials discovered that 47 people that had been stricken with the disease were all from families that employed a cook named Mary from which the disease originated. Finally getting a hold on it, “Typhoid Mary” was safely quarantined, and the world marched on.

Like in these Pandemic times, there was much need for prayer in those days, and I can imagine that the founding members of Shiloh huddled together and prayed for survival, and the day that they would assemble together as one body in their own place. They called on the Name of Jesus, and He responded.

In those days, there was no indoor plumbing, no telephone, and no cars. Most teenagers did not attend school. If you were white you labored in factories, or fields, if you were Black. About 60% of the population were farmers. Men went out to work and women stayed home and took care of the house and the children. If people had means, they would travel by railroad or by sea, otherwise they walked. Most people generally lived within a small circle of friends, neighbors and relatives.

And it was that small circle of family, friends and neighbors to whom we pay homage today, as we celebrate the existence of their vision, which has stood for 115 years. It was their commitment, their faith, and their love for Christ that fostered this Black Church in a predominantly White community here in Rockville Centre, New York. Chosen and elected by God, they came together, and with overwhelming support, and determination, Shiloh is what it was meant to be- their answered prayer, and our place of worship.

These times are much like the times of our past. They are difficult times, and there is so much to pray about. The Church has endured, and we have lived through years of slavery, racism, bigotry, and genocide. We have had to fight many battles- the right to vote; the right to make a living; the right to own property or a business; and the right to education, even the right to worship. And we have fought with our hands up in total surrender to our God, and bowed on our knees, in total submission to His will for HIS Church. These times are indicative of all times, and through it all prayer still works. This House of Prayer has remained, and will continue through future generations.

In concert with His redemptive act Jesus established the framework of His Church. He chose humans to carry out His work, and we understand that this building is not the Church. We are. And we are overcomers, because Christ overcame – for us. He has been our strength in every battle, and we have been fortified by His Word, “…I will build my church.”  (Matthew 16:18).  In celebration of our 115^th Anniversary, we recognize that we stand because we are built on a strong foundation. We have come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord.

What is it that makes the need to establish a church so important? It’s the message of the Cross. If it takes people, what kind of people? If it takes money, then where is it going to come from? If it takes commitment, what does that mean? Selah.

We are the redeemed people of God who seek His face and declare His Word. We stand and understand that The Message of the Cross is still urgent, and by the grace of God we all have a part to play in it. We recognize, and are grateful for Shiloh’s rich history, including Pastor Washington’s 32 years of obedience.