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A Brief History of Shiloh Christian Church (1865-Present)

The history of Shiloh Christian Church dates back in the pages of time for over a hundred years.  The Church actually began at the Brown School House located in the Sinai Community in 1865 and continued meeting there until 1870.  The church moved down the road to its current location in April of 1870.  The land on which the church now stands was donated by the George Searcy family.  Brother Eleven Merritt was the first minister that began work at the Brown School House and became the first minister of the Church.

Today situated in a scenic valley, easily accessed by U.S. Highway 53 passing in front, the friendly people that gather each week seem far removed from the turmoil and hurry of modern life.  Best of all, one feels just a little closer to the Creator of all things when one comes to this little country church close to the beauties created by God.

Another important landmark in the church’s history was its break from the Disciples of Christ in the late 1990’s.  The church had been independent in nature for many years, but made its doctrinal independence official in the late 1990’s, declaring itself a restoration church, using only the Holy Bible as a guide to its instruction.

Over the years, many improvements and additions have been made to this small church.  During the Depression Days when ready cash for improvements and replacement of worn equipment was scarce, the members of Shiloh continued to provide not only for their families but for their church as well.  The people of Shiloh were not satisfied with stopping with the addition of beauty and comfort to their homes; they were determined to do something about their church facilities that had remained the same since the days of their parents and grandparents.  Therefore, livestock was donated by local residents and auctioned off to raise funds for some of the improvements to the church.

The first improvements were the removal of the plain glass windows at the rear of the pulpit and the building of a recess with stained glass windows with enlarged pulpit  space and new pulpit furniture, communion table and  chairs.  Next came the addition of a basement, three Sunday School rooms and the installation of a new furnace sometime in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s.  The determination of the church members to improve their church has continued through the years with the installation of art glass memorial windows, new floor, carpet, a side entrance and a covered way to the basement. 

A choir loft was built in 1991 by Arlie Gritton with wood donated by Adolph and Judy Darnell from their family farm.  The basement was remodeled to include a kitchen area.  A new roof was put on, guttering was added, as well as ceiling fans and vinyl siding.  The church was dry-walled and painted in November of 1989. The pews were padded in 1990 and refinished by J.W. and Rebecca Gritton.   Sam Alves donated $450.00 to buy new hymnals in 1991.  The members worked together in January of 1992 to install a floor in the attic over an existing Sunday School room to create a storage closet.  Also in 1992, carpet was installed and the Sunday School rooms were painted.  Air-conditioning was installed in August 1995 and was purchased by Ben Puckett in honor of his parents, Earl J. and Louise Puckett.

Construction began on a new addition in the fall of 1997 by Richard Hawkins for approximately $70,000.00. Construction was halted by the State for a while because of the potential that Beaver Creek could flood the structure.  But after closer inspection by state officials into flood codes, the work resumed.  The dedication and homecoming service for that addition was held on May 23, 1999 with Tom Mobley as the speaker. 

James and Anna Hammons donated the tables and chairs for the addition. Earl Jr. and Charlotte Puckett donated a kitchen sink and faucets.  Kitchen cabinets were purchased from Lowe’s and the men of the church worked nights and weekends hanging them.  Robin Bishop was hired to paint a mural in the baptistry in May 1999 for $750.00. Amy Cook was the first person to be baptized in our new baptistry by Minister Steve McCormick on December 19, 1999. 

Two Bradford pear trees were donated and planted in front of the church as well as one on the side of the church by Everett and Jean Darnell in memory of Debbie Darnell Puckett (their daughter), Adolph Darnell and Earnie Puckett.

More recent additions include the installation of new lights in the existing sanctuary in 2000 by Wayne Darnell. In 2001, members worked together to create a remodeled multi-functional space in the basement area.  New carpet was installed in the sanctuary in 2005, and the men worked together to join the once-separate stage and choir loft at the front of the church.  Shiloh Church reflects the love and sacrifice of many people, a number of whom have passed on to their eternal reward.

The bell that now hangs in the spire of the Shiloh Christian Church was used for many years as a dinner bell that was rung to call the farmhands to their noon meal.  As far as we know, Mr. and Mrs. Polk Toll were the first owners of the bell in the area.  Several of the Toll descendents have had the bell in their possession throughout the years, the last being Mrs. Charles Jenkins.  Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins presented the bell to the church in 1955 as a memorial to her grandmother Mrs. Polk  (Arietta) Toll.

The members of Shiloh have always been noted for their love and hospitality from its beginning.  Throughout the years many events have been part of the heritage of this small church and the current members of Shiloh are proud to continue these traditions into the 21^st century.  The Homecoming days at Shiloh are filled with memories of missing faces, fine fellowship, open-handed hospitality and an abundance of food for all attending. For many years, the “dinner on the grounds” was truly that!  Fine home-cooked dishes were spread on tables or wagons under the branches of the old sugar maple trees that have stood by the church for so long.  

Other events held during the year at Shiloh are the Easter Sunrise Service with a breakfast prepared by the men of the church.   Shiloh still has an annual Fish Fry, several gospel singings throughout the year, as well as various fellowship dinners.  Special recognition services are held for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduations.  Special activities such as church picnics, youth rallies, camp visits, softball leagues, hayrides, cookouts, etc. are also a history of this small church. 

Music has always been an important part of the worship service and the fellowship at Shiloh.  The Shiloh Quartet was first composed of John Grace, Earldy Champion, Willis Shely and Lewis Young.  This group sang at many neighboring churches and was in demand for many special occasions in the community.  After the death of Willis Shely, Hansford Gash became a member of the group in his stead.  This group loved to sing and were willing participants in any church or community function.  One of the favorite numbers of this group was the song “Precious Memories”.  All of the members in this group are deceased but not forgotten.  They left behind their own “precious memories” at Shiloh and in the surrounding communities.  Today, The Shiloh Singers are the church’s trademark group.  The group recently released its own CD which they spent many hours perfecting in a local recording studio.  They sing at various church and community functions and are a fine representation of Shiloh’s musical talent.

This small country church has been an inspiration to the Shiloh community for many years.  The members of this church are a family, with God as head of the home.  There is a feeling of love and warmth glowing from this small church in the valley.  It is little wonder that you can sense a special feeling in your heart when “Blest Be the Tie” is sung at each service’s close.

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