The Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Flint was founded as a small mission on September 1, 1918. The Mission, which was organized under the leadership of the Rev. C.C. Dudley, met on Michigan Avenue. On November 20, 1918, the mission moved to Hickory Street, and the name “Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church” was chosen. Rev. E. Thrasher was elected as the first pastor, and the following men served as deacons: Bro. James Dudley, Bro. Jack Harris, Bro. Saul Redick, and Bro. James Banks. The Mt. Olive Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. M.C. Kenny, graciously served a means of spiritual and financial support.

 

In 1922 Rev. C. W. James was elected as the second pastor of Shiloh. Under the James administration a church building was erected at 3434 St. Johns St. Pastor C.W. James served faithfully for 22 years until he passed from labor to reward in 1944. The following four ministers served as pastors of Shiloh between the years of 1944-1950: Rev. D. Quitman (1944-1946), Rev. W.N. Reaves (1946), Rev. F.D. Binder (1946-1949), and Rev. Eddie Talbert (1949-1950).

 

 

 

 

The Rev. C.R. Neal was elected as the seventh pastor of Shiloh in 1951. Pastor Neal was also one of the founding members of the Great lakes Baptist District Association and served as one of its first moderators. Pastor C. R. Neal resigned his pastorate of Shiloh in 1957.

The Rev. E. Beverly Allen was elected as the eighth pastor of Shiloh in 1958.

Under the Allen administration the church moved to 502 Leith St., and was renamed “The Greater Shiloh Baptist Tabernacle.” During the Allen tenure the following men were called to the ministry: Rev. Clarence Knox, Rev. Everett Farmer, Rev. Eugene Watkins, and Rev. W.T. Davis. Pastor E. Beverly Allen served faithfully for 22 years until he passed from labor to reward in 1980.

The Rev. Louis H. Mays was elected as the nineth pastor of Shiloh in 1980. Under the Mays administration the church was renamed “The Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Flint.”

 

Under the Mays administration The Shiloh music department, under the direction of brother Richard Battle, Sr., recorded the CD "Hold to God's unchanging hand" live in the church sanctuary in 1996, and The Young Christians in Motion praise dance ministry was formed under the direction of Sister Pamela Gadson. The YCIM was the first praise dance ministry in the city of Flint! The following men were called into the ministry: Rev. Kenneth Moore and Rev. John Shine. Pastor Louis H. Mays served faithfully for 27 years until he passed from labor to reward on March 21, 2007.

 

 

In 2015 the Flint water crisis devastated the city of Flint. In response to the crisis Shiloh secured grant funding to employ 8 people to distribute water to the Flint community on a daily basis. Shiloh also raised money to support Dole Ryder Elementary school with bottled water. Shiloh received national attention when US Senator Gary Peters and over 100 members of the American Federation of Government Employees visited the church to participate in water distribution. In total, through donations of water that poured in from around the country, and partnerships with the AFGE, The University of Michigan, Michigan Works, The United Way, The Christ Enrichment Center, Walmart, and Salem Lutheran Church, Shiloh distributed well over 1 million bottles of water and hygiene and sanitary supplies to the Flint community.

 

On July of 2019 the church purchased and relocated to her current location a 2120 N. Saginaw St. A Parade was held on Sunday, August 25th, 2019, as the members of Shiloh marched from 502 Leith St. location to our new home. The parade and celebration, which received mass media coverage, included antique cars from the Back to the Bricks association which drove the mothers of the church; the Young Christians in Motion danced to Richard Smallwood’s “Anthem of Praise;” 200 church members and friends waved flags and marched, and the section of Saginaw St. from Leith to Hamilton was completely shut down as people lined the sidewalks cheering us on as we were escorted by the City of Flint Police! Speakers included State Representative Sheldon Neeley, Flint City Councilman Eric Mays (The son of Pastor Louis H. Mays), and Dr. C. Anthony Hunt of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. A proclamation of dedication was also read from the office of Dr. Karen Weaver, Mayor of the City of Flint.

 

In March of 2020 the world was devastated by the Coronavirus pandemic. In response, Shiloh held food drives, water drives, participated in Census and voter registrations, and delivered food to members who were homebound because of the virus. Services were held virtually on social media, and when weather permitted the church held “Praise in the Parking Lot” services. During this time Shiloh also served as the first faith-based location in the city of Flint for Covid-19 testing. In February of 2021, when vaccines became available, Shiloh partnered with the Genesee County Health Department, The Community Foundation of Greater Flint, and The Flint Chamber of Commerce, and transformed our sanctuary into a vaccine clinic to serve the county.

 

To date over 15,000 people have been vaccinated at Shiloh. The success of this clinic drew national attention as Shiloh was featured in the October 2021 article “How Flint Closed the Gap Between Black and White Suffering Under COVID” in Mother Jones Magazine, and Dr. Moore was awarded the prestigious Community Champion Award at the Healthy Flint Research and Coordinating Center Symposium in the Fall of 2021. Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of the State of Michigan visited Shiloh to observe the clinic. The Key to the City of Flint was awarded to Shiloh on October 21,2021 by Mayor Sheldon Neeley, and a tribute of recognition was also given to the church by State Representative Cynthia Neeley on that same date.

 

The following ministries have been instituted under the Moore Administration: The Security Ministry; the Media Ministry; TheShilohMBC.org website; The Adult Sunday School; and The Children’s Church. The following Deacon’s have been added to the Deacons Board: Deacon Jimmy Morgan, Deacon Darris Berry, Deacon Jermal Carruth, Deacon David Love, Deacon Lyle McFadden, Deacon Marchristian Moore, Deacon Raymond Jefferson, Deacon Samuel Vernon, Deacon Robert Moore, and Deacon Henry Williams. Under the Moore administration Rev. Devonte Powell was called to the ministry, and Rev. Mary Haney became the first female minister to be endorsed and licensed by a pastor of Shiloh.

 

God is still blessing the small mission that began by faith in 1918. We thank God for ministers and members who have contributed to the rich history and historic heritage of this great church of the years. We can certainly say we have come this far by faith, and with God’s grace we will continue to press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God. For we walk by faith, and not by sight.