Shiloh Baptist Church is a

Baptist Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only ( believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul c ...

church located in Washington, D.C.. 20001 in the historic Shaw District. The church was founded in

Fredericksburg, VA Fredericksburg is an independent city located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,982. The Bureau of Economic Analysis of the United States Department of Commerce combines the city of Fredericksburg with ...

in 1804.

History

Origins in Fredericksburg VA

The Shiloh Baptist Church was organized by its white members in 1804. The church's membership included some free blacks but most were slaves. The black members were subjected to segregated seating. The church was sold to African American members in 1854, and this congregation was led by a white pastor.From Strength to Strength: A Journey of Faith 1863-1988, p. 25

Civil War

At the start of the Civil War in 1861, Shiloh had about 750 members. The Civil War disrupted the church's life but also brought the possibility of equality for blacks. The Shiloh religious services were discontinued when the Union Army wanted to use the church as a hospital because of a planned attack on Fredericksburg in June 1862. The Union Army protected and helped the slaves and free blacks escape to Washington D.C. About 400 members of the Shiloh Baptist Church of Fredericksburg arrived in Washington D.C. Once in Washington D.C., they became free civilians in April 1862 when Congress emancipated the slaves of the District of Columbia.

Move to Washington, D.C.

1862

Sunday School directed by J. McCleary Perkins, a white Union soldier, met in shanty on L St NW between 16th and 17th Streets. White and black teachers gave instruction on religion and basic reading and writing.

1863

January 1 - Emancipation Proclamation. September – Shiloh Baptist Church granted recognition by council. Rev. William Walker elected first pastor. 1864 Membership purchased building on L St NW between 16th and 17th. 1869 Membership numbered 243. Purchased larger building with Fredericksburg funds.

Growth of the church at current location

1924 Shiloh moves to 9th and P Streets. L Street property sold for $60,000. 9th and P and adjacent property purchased in November 1924. 1945 First black church to unite with the Council of Church Women. 1950 Carter Woodson, a church neighbor, was a guest speaker for Negro History Week (an annual participation until his death). 1980

Ted Kennedy Edward Moore Kennedy (February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States senator from Massachusetts for almost 47 years, from 1962 until his death in 2009. A member of the Democratic ...

addressed the congregation of the church as part of his presidential campaign of 1980. 1991 A fire nearly destroyed the entire church building.

Presidential visits

President

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...

and his wife Nancy attended a performance of spirituals and gospel music, hosted by

Leontyne Price Mary Violet Leontyne Price (born February 10, 1927) is an American soprano who was the first African American soprano to receive international acclaim. From 1961 she began a long association with the Metropolitan Opera, where she was the first Af ...

in December 1983. The choir of

Howard University Howard University (Howard) is a Private university, private, University charter#Federal, federally chartered historically black research university in Washington, D.C. It is Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, classifie ...

appeared alongside Price; other performers included

Lillias White Lillias White (born July 21, 1951) is an American actress and singer. She is particularly known for her performances in Broadway musicals. In 1989 she won an Obie Award for her performance in the Off-Broadway musical ''Romance in Hard Times''. In ...

, Kevette Cartledge, David Weatherspoon, and the Richard Smallwood Singers. It was broadcast as the 1983 Christmas Special of '' In Performance at the White House''. President

Bill Clinton William Jefferson Clinton (né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He previously served as governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and again ...

addressed the congregation as part of Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign. On April 24, 2011,

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university * President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...

Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II ( ; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, Obama was the first Af ...

and his family attended the Easter Sunday service at the church, the first presidential visit to the congregation.

References

External links

*
Cultural Tourism DC: Shaw Heritage Trail

Fredericksburg Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia
{{Coord, 38, 54, 35, N, 77, 1, 27, W, display=title Baptist churches in Washington, D.C. African-American history of Washington, D.C. Shaw (Washington, D.C.) 1863 establishments in Washington, D.C.