Sensational Shiloh

An Historical Sketch of Shiloh Baptist Church

The Beginning
Shiloh Baptist Church, New Rochelle, New York, was organized on July 17, 1899, in the home of Brother and Sister Richard and Eliza Jones at 124 Winyah Avenue, New Rochelle, New York. Eliza and Richard Jones were former slaves who traveled by freight boat from North Carolina to New Rochelle after the Emancipation Proclamation. They settled in New Rochelle with their three young sons. In addition to the Joneses, the following people were present at the organizational meeting of the church: Rev. J. A. Sumler, Rev. Robert Burk and William A. Bagley, acting as clerk. Rev. J. A. Sumler became the first pastor and served for a short time. He was succeeded by Rev. Robert Burk, who pastured for a few months. Rev. J. A. Sumler was later recalled. During this time there were many souls converted and baptized. This was the beginning of the new church.

During the course of Shiloh's history, there have been several meeting places. The first meeting place was 13 Railroad Avenue; the second was 6 Union Avenue; the third was 3 Railroad Avenue; the fourth was 103 Winthrop Avenue, and the present location is 185 Lincoln Avenue.

Reverend Dr. William Henry Slater
(1900 - 1945)

"They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever." Psalm 125:1

On July 12, 1900, Rev. Dr. William Henry Slater came to Shiloh's first meeting place at 13 Railroad Avenue. The Pastor, Rev. Sumler, was not present at the time. As the members were about to start the prayer service, Rev. Slater, sitting near the door arose and said; "I am a licensed preacher from the Shiloh Baptist Church in New York City, and if you are willing, I would be pleased to preach to you this morning." The church accepted his offer and he took as his text the 125th Psalm. His subject was "God as a Trust." After the morning service, Rev. Slater was asked to preach at the evening service. Rev. Slater would be officially called to serve as the pastor of Shiloh on November 3, 1900. He would be the pastor of the church for the next 45 years.

Rev. William Henry Slater was born on May 16, 1868 in Alexandria, Virginia. He was the son of Clora Ann and Burnet Slater. Rev. Slater attended Grammar School #83 and High School in New York City. In 1898 he completed his training to become a bricklayer at the New York Trade School. His religious studies were completed at Amity Bible School in New York City and Virginia Theological Seminary and College in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he received his Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity in May 1911.

As the new pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Rev. Slater did three very important things: first, he held a revival service and 14 souls were saved for the Master's Kingdom; second, he held an Easter rally and the church was able to raise $25.00; third, and very important, he brought the members in touch with the New York Clergymen. To do this, he advised the members to reorganize and get letters of separation from their former church, Bethesda Baptist Church.

In December, 1902 letters were received from Bethesda Baptist Church, New Rochelle, New York for Fred Motley, Nelson Powell, Richard Jones, James Noble, John Motley, Mary Groce, Lucy Mack, Maria Bagley, Ellen Powell, Eliza Jones, Kitty Motley, Marie Johnson, Lettie Noble, Martha Batts, and Mary Freeman.

On May 6, 1903 the members purchased a lot on Railroad Avenue for $1,000. On June 16, 1903 a Recognition Council was called with 11 churches present. Committees on Records, Doctrine and Practice were appointed and confirmed. Their reports were unanimously adopted, and the Council unanimously declared Shiloh Baptist Church recognized and welcomed to the Sisterhood.

In December, 1905 Shiloh was incorporated. In 1906 the church exchanged the lot on Railroad Avenue for the one on Winthrop Avenue at a gain of $500. In 1907 the New England Baptist Missionary Convention gave $10.00 for the building fund. In June of 1908, there was a ground-breaking for the new church. On August 16, 1908, the Cornerstone was laid. A Dedicatory Service was held on December 13, 1908. By December 4, 1911, the mortgage was paid on the first unit. A building fund was started and would continue until August, 1920. At that time a contract was signed with builder George Watson to finish the church at a cost of $25,000. On Easter Sunday, March 27, 1921, the members entered the main auditorium. In February, 1924, a Moller Pipe Organ was installed at a cost of $5,000.

After an illustrious career and a long illness, Rev. Dr. William Henry Slater died on January 24, 1945. The church was without a pastor for one year. During this time, property was purchased, the membership grew and the church was built and paid for. Shiloh was among the front- line Churches of the denomination. Rev. Slater served as pastor for 45 years and his legacy speaks for itself. He laid the groundwork for our next pastor.