THE SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH
SUNDAY SCHOOL HISTORY
(1903 - 2007)
The Shiloh Baptist Church Sunday School was organized in 1903 by the late Ms. Rebecca Slater who was the first wife of our Pastor, the late Rev. William Slater. She served as Sunday School Superintendent from 1903-1906. Between 1907-1931 several individuals served as Superintendent, namely-Rev. Grant Powell, Bro. Henry McGhee, Israel Kent, Spurgeon Hayes and Sisters (Samuel) Brodie, Hattie Dorgen and Francis Harris Anderson.
The Sunday School began its most outstanding development under the leadership of the late Bro. David Hayes, who served as Superintendent from 1932 through 1959. During his tenure our Sunday School was blessed with tremendous growth in spirit, finances and membership, which grew to 250 students. During Bro. Hayes leadership, in the early 1950’s our new first lady, Sis. Illean Crutchfield, wife of the late Rev. Huston Crutchfield, Sr. organized the School’s Nursery Department and began service as its first Superintendent.
In 1960, Sis. Katherine Oliver became our Sunday School Superintendent. Training Institute courses on the “Old Testament” and “How to Teach” were offered that year.
Sis. Blossie Ingram was elected Superintendent in 1961 and served with distinction through 1969.
Sis. Katherine Oliver was again called to serve as Superintendent in 1970 through 1972. During Sis. Oliver’s leadership, Superintendent Emeritus Bro. David Hayes was called to rest and a memorial program was held in honor of his 28 years of service as superintendent.
Bro. Ernest B. Bolden, served as Sunday School Superintendent from 1973 through 1975.
Superintendent Emeritus, Sis. Blossie Ingram again served as Superintendent with her usual gracious style from 1976 through 1977.
In 1978 Sis. Cheryl Turner served as Superintendent of the Sunday School and served through 1981. Under her leadership the Sunday School organized several church and community projects, such as Christmas caroling at the local hospital and nursing homes as well as projects to help disadvantaged youth from the Children’s Village and St. Christopher’s Home.
Sis. Sheila Lawrence served as Superintendent in 1982. She served with dedication through 1985. Sis. Lawrence organized a School Dinner to honor several of our outstanding senior members.
Deacon Cephus Haynes became our Sunday School Superintendent in 1986 and served through 1990. He came with a vast amount of experience and initiated various organizational changes in the School to increase membership and biblical knowledge through stimulating teaching methods and materials. Dea. Haynes also initiated our Sunday School Retreats and Teacher of the Year Award. During his first year, faced with a low Nursery Department membership and a large Beginners Class, Superintendent Haynes combined the two classes, expanding the age range of the Nursery Department to include Pre-K and Kindergarten age students. This new Nursery Department was placed under the leadership of Sis. Julia Maxine Robinson.
Rev. Willie Hurst served as Sunday School Superintendent from 1991 until 1994. Rev. Hurst re-established the winter retreat to The Empire Baptist Conference and revitalized our Sunday School Picnics and Easter Egg Hunt.
Rev. Hurst’s able Assistant, Sis. Brenda Brewton Peake became our new Sunday School Superintendent in 1995. She served until 2001. Superintendent Peake brought an abundance of ideas and energy to the School. Under her leadership our mission statement was written, and the Young Adult class for ages 18+ was established. Our annual
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical contest and Kwanzaa Celebration were also established. And, our annual apple picking outing and Teacher of the Year Award was re-established. In March 1996, the Child Care Center was opened under the direction of
Sis. Peake and Sis. Della M. Parham.
In January 2002, Assistant Superintendent Deaconess Della M. Parham was appointed Sunday School Superintendent. Under her leadership “The Sunday School Scoops” was revitalized under the editorship of Assistant Superintendent Dianetta Gladden and the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical contest continued under the direction of Trustee Julia M. Robinson. In February 2003 the Church School published its first souvenir journal to mark our 100th Anniversary. In-house workshops, teacher training sessions, retreats, and participation in United Missionary Baptist Association-Congress of Christian Education workshops and its activities have been offered to our teachers, staff, and Sunday School members. In 2006 an informational brochure was created highlighting facts about our Church School; a devotional Youth Praise Team under the direction of Sis. Charlotte Perry was formed, and a new co-ed class “Life Applications of God’s Word” for ages 35+ was established. In 2007 the Church School purchased a new sound system to enhance devotion.
The Church School has a long rich history. For 105 years, a total of nineteen Sunday School Superintendents have faithfully served Shiloh Baptist Church. “To God be the Glory, great things He hath done!”
