How it all began...
The humble origins of Shiloh Baptist Church began in 1882. However, Shiloh was officially organized as a church in 1909 in the home of Sis. Emily Hall and Rev. James Scott served as the first pastor. Land was donated at a site located at the corners of Rouse Avenue and Edgar and Princess Streets. Plans for new church construction soon became a reality.
In 1912, Dr. Daniel Howard (D.Div) became the second pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. Construction on the new building was completed and worship services began in the fall of 1912. As the church grew, God blessed Shiloh to increase in favor, finance, fellowship, and families.
In 1917, Rev. William E. Jones became the third and the longest serving pastor in the history of Shiloh Baptist Church (35 years). In the midst of the global Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1920, God enabled Rev. Jones to relocate Shiloh’s existing building to a parcel of land located at 617 E. Princess Street. On December 21, 1920, Shiloh was officially incorporated with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a church and religious organization. In 1922, Shiloh satisfied its $400.00 land debt and in 1925, began construction of a new church building at the Princess Street location.
In 1952, Dr. Richard J. Manning (D. Min) became the fourth and the second-longest serving pastor in the history of Shiloh Baptist Church (30 years). Under Dr. Manning's leadership and pastorate, Shiloh became known as “York’s elite Black Church” as upgrades and renovations were made to the existing building. Shiloh's youth increased as new families joined and new church auxiliaries were created while existing ones were strengthened. On August 12, 1982, Dr. Manning led Shiloh to purchase a new church, parsonage, and parking lot located at 629 Pershing Avenue. Dr. Manning retired as Shiloh's pastor that same year.
In 1983, Dr. Nathaniel Johnson (D. Min) became the fifth pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. Under his leadership and administration, youth and young adult Bible classes were instituted, Shiloh became a member of the Central Baptist Association, it's Congress of Christian Education, and continued experiencing numerical growth. In July of 1988, the mortgage was paid off after only 5 years.
In 1990, Dr. William H. Curtis (D. Min) became the sixth pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. Under Dr. Curtis, auxiliaries became ministries as new ministries were developed, membership increased, and Shiloh experienced exponential growth. In 1992, the lower level was completely renovated and the Shiloh Baptist Church Fellowship Choir was organized. Under Dr. Curtis, Shiloh’s church motto was coined: “A Church Determined to Know Christ,” and Shiloh experienced an era of community influence, recognition, social involvement, and evangelistic outreach.
In 1998, Dr. Carl L. Easley (D. Min) became the seventh pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. Though his tenure was short, Shiloh experienced membership growth and increased fellowship among its senior members. In addition to satisfying the $88,000 loan, Shiloh remained committed to prayer during various transitional challenges. Under Dr. Easley’s leadership, God was faithful to Shiloh and sustained the membership and the ministry.
In 2002 Dr. Jasmin W. Sculark (D. Min) became the eighth Senior Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church and the first woman pastor in the history of Shiloh Baptist Church. Dr. Sculark continued honoring Shiloh’s legacy and vision while ushering in a new and exciting era of phenomenal growth. Shiloh greatly expanded its membership and ministries, paid off existing debt, created the Shiloh Community Development Corporation, youth outreach and tutorial programs, purchased a secondary parking lot on Pershing Street, a second campus location and facility at 740 W. Locust Street, and two additional homes (one on Salem Avenue and the other on Locust Street). Under Dr. Sculark, Shiloh was the first and only church in York to have one church worshipping in two locations.
On October 3, 2015, Dr. Larry T. Walthour, II (D. Min, D.Div) became the ninth Senior Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. Under Dr. Walthour’s leadership, Shiloh continues its rich and robust heritage of civic leadership in York City as community partnerships have been established with corporations, city, county, and state officials to provide jobs and promote career opportunities for residents. Social activism, institutional and political reform, community action and awareness, education, and grant funding opportunities for youth, families, ministry operations, and community development has been established at it's main campus. On September 24, 2023, Shiloh paid off it's existing mortgage and became a debt free ministry. Currently, campus and facility upgrades are ongoing, staffing opportunities are created, and membership is increasing. The Sunday worship experience includes children, youth, young adult, and adult Sunday School, a children's nursery, a youth church, and spirited family worship. Under Dr. Walthour, Shiloh expanded it's vision to become: “A Church Determined to Know Christ in Excellence as we journey with Christ through our CORE Values of Fellowship, Lordship, Ownership, Worship, and Stewardship (FLOWS)."
In 1912, Dr. Daniel Howard (D.Div) became the second pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. Construction on the new building was completed and worship services began in the fall of 1912. As the church grew, God blessed Shiloh to increase in favor, finance, fellowship, and families.
In 1917, Rev. William E. Jones became the third and the longest serving pastor in the history of Shiloh Baptist Church (35 years). In the midst of the global Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1920, God enabled Rev. Jones to relocate Shiloh’s existing building to a parcel of land located at 617 E. Princess Street. On December 21, 1920, Shiloh was officially incorporated with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a church and religious organization. In 1922, Shiloh satisfied its $400.00 land debt and in 1925, began construction of a new church building at the Princess Street location.
In 1952, Dr. Richard J. Manning (D. Min) became the fourth and the second-longest serving pastor in the history of Shiloh Baptist Church (30 years). Under Dr. Manning's leadership and pastorate, Shiloh became known as “York’s elite Black Church” as upgrades and renovations were made to the existing building. Shiloh's youth increased as new families joined and new church auxiliaries were created while existing ones were strengthened. On August 12, 1982, Dr. Manning led Shiloh to purchase a new church, parsonage, and parking lot located at 629 Pershing Avenue. Dr. Manning retired as Shiloh's pastor that same year.
In 1983, Dr. Nathaniel Johnson (D. Min) became the fifth pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. Under his leadership and administration, youth and young adult Bible classes were instituted, Shiloh became a member of the Central Baptist Association, it's Congress of Christian Education, and continued experiencing numerical growth. In July of 1988, the mortgage was paid off after only 5 years.
In 1990, Dr. William H. Curtis (D. Min) became the sixth pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. Under Dr. Curtis, auxiliaries became ministries as new ministries were developed, membership increased, and Shiloh experienced exponential growth. In 1992, the lower level was completely renovated and the Shiloh Baptist Church Fellowship Choir was organized. Under Dr. Curtis, Shiloh’s church motto was coined: “A Church Determined to Know Christ,” and Shiloh experienced an era of community influence, recognition, social involvement, and evangelistic outreach.
In 1998, Dr. Carl L. Easley (D. Min) became the seventh pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. Though his tenure was short, Shiloh experienced membership growth and increased fellowship among its senior members. In addition to satisfying the $88,000 loan, Shiloh remained committed to prayer during various transitional challenges. Under Dr. Easley’s leadership, God was faithful to Shiloh and sustained the membership and the ministry.
In 2002 Dr. Jasmin W. Sculark (D. Min) became the eighth Senior Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church and the first woman pastor in the history of Shiloh Baptist Church. Dr. Sculark continued honoring Shiloh’s legacy and vision while ushering in a new and exciting era of phenomenal growth. Shiloh greatly expanded its membership and ministries, paid off existing debt, created the Shiloh Community Development Corporation, youth outreach and tutorial programs, purchased a secondary parking lot on Pershing Street, a second campus location and facility at 740 W. Locust Street, and two additional homes (one on Salem Avenue and the other on Locust Street). Under Dr. Sculark, Shiloh was the first and only church in York to have one church worshipping in two locations.
On October 3, 2015, Dr. Larry T. Walthour, II (D. Min, D.Div) became the ninth Senior Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. Under Dr. Walthour’s leadership, Shiloh continues its rich and robust heritage of civic leadership in York City as community partnerships have been established with corporations, city, county, and state officials to provide jobs and promote career opportunities for residents. Social activism, institutional and political reform, community action and awareness, education, and grant funding opportunities for youth, families, ministry operations, and community development has been established at it's main campus. On September 24, 2023, Shiloh paid off it's existing mortgage and became a debt free ministry. Currently, campus and facility upgrades are ongoing, staffing opportunities are created, and membership is increasing. The Sunday worship experience includes children, youth, young adult, and adult Sunday School, a children's nursery, a youth church, and spirited family worship. Under Dr. Walthour, Shiloh expanded it's vision to become: “A Church Determined to Know Christ in Excellence as we journey with Christ through our CORE Values of Fellowship, Lordship, Ownership, Worship, and Stewardship (FLOWS)."
Expanding the vision...
In this generation of growing social media, artificial intelligence (AI), cultural relevance, and multi-faceted ministry, Shiloh Baptist Church continues to grow, expand, and strive towards excellence in ministry, worship, as we continue our journey with Jesus Christ.
We strive to serve this present age our calling to fulfill while we seek to transform lives through ministry.
We strive to serve this present age our calling to fulfill while we seek to transform lives through ministry.
Where we are headed...
Shiloh Baptist Church is place of peace and a community of believers committed to following Jesus Christ. Our desire is to offer hope to our community through the preaching and teaching of the Gospel as we reach out to touch others with the love of Jesus.
As such, we strive to offer a place of peace where others can connect, experience God, and have a redemptive relationship with Jesus Christ.
As such, we strive to offer a place of peace where others can connect, experience God, and have a redemptive relationship with Jesus Christ.
