In the year 1902, realizing there was a need for sharing the love of God, and teaching His word to the children of the North Fort Worth Community, Mrs. Cenie Campbell Stovall, a dedicated Christian woman, organized the first Sunday School. The first classes were held in the backyard of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Kennedy on the southwest corner of 24th and Ross Avenue.
The children of the families living in the community attended these classes. The Capes: Leroy, Lloyd, and Elizabeth; the Williams: Charlie Mae, Henry and Jack; the Thompson’s: Ben, Willie and Lula; the Dodds: Annie Mae, Eliza, Willie and Allie. These classes grew as well as industrialization on the North Side, causing an increase in population. The coming of the meat packing industries during the last half of 1902, brought more families to this vicinity.
In 1903, Mrs. Cenie Campbell Stovall, with the aid of Rev. John Heron of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, organized a non-denominational church, naming it Mt. Zion, serving as the first church in the community. The church in its infancy had different ministers preaching each Sunday. Among these were: Rev. G. W. Burton, Rev. Scroggins and Rev. J. D. Brown.
In the fall of 1903, the Rev. J. D. Brown became the full-time pastor. The name was then changed to Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. G. W. Burton and ten members were present at this meeting: Brothers Bert Campbell, John Kennedy, Frank H. Henry and Sisters H. F. Scroggins Randle, Cenie Campbell Stovall, Laura Kennedy, Manda Williams, Eliza Walker, Annie Henry and Mr. Jim Capes.
While Shiloh was still located on the corner of 24th and Ross Avenue, in the backyard of John Kennedy, five people joined the church: Brothers E. W. Walker, J. W. Hunter, George Brazier, L. A. Hardeman and Allen Brantley. Sister Cenie Campbell Stovall was the first Sunday School Superintendent. Brother F. H. Henry was the first deacon to be ordained in Shiloh. Other deacons were: Brothers John Kennedy, E. W. Walker, J. W. Hunter and L.A. Hardeman.
Rev. F. G. Lofton was called to serve as the first pastor in the building and remained four years until 1908. Rev. Lofton was followed by Rev. W. O. Bell who built a larger and better church for an approximate cost of $3,000.00. Rev. Bell was Shiloh’s leader until 1912, and was replaced by Rev. James Kelly, remaining at Shiloh only for a short period of time. Rev. C. J. W. Boyd followed Rev. Kelly in 1914, and led the church in paying the mortgage. The Trustee Board was organized and the membership continued to grow. Due to his death, Rev. Boyd was unable to complete his plans.
In 1919, Rev. W. G. Upshaw was called to Shiloh. It was under his leadership that the church’s aim for a new building moved toward completion. The frame building was torn down, and worship services were held in a Brush Arbor, one block east of 811 Cliff Street, until the basement of the church was finished. Rev. Upshaw died in an accident after the accomplishment was completed.
Rev. G. W. Prince was called to fill the vacancy left by Rev. Upshaw. After serving one year, he was replaced by Rev. C. H. Johnson in 1924. The second unit of the church was completed under the guidance of Rev. Johnson. During his administration, the Sunday School was upgraded; Auxiliary Missionary Societies began and Usher Boards, Brotherhood, the Deacon Board, and Starlight Band were organized. Rev. Johnson died after five and one-half years of service.
In 1930, Shiloh called Rev. J. W. Washington to serve as pastor. During this time, the church experienced several financial difficulties. However, from 1933 to 1936, the problems dissolved. The final payment was made on the pews in 1935, and two years later (1937), the church was able to purchase and remodel the parsonage located at 2924 Ross Avenue. Also, in 1937, the church’s note was refinanced from Mr. Ed Cooper.
In 1940, a group of young women, having a desire to be active in the church, sponsored a “Musical Soiree” (a musical evening). This proved to be successful, leading to the formation of an auxiliary known as “The Maids and Matrons” Chorus. Mrs. Mattie Fleming served as the pianist and Mrs. Naomi Thompson as president. The group sang once each month and the name later changed to The Senior Choir II. Senior Choir II began a “Harvest Festival” and “Thanks Offering”, presented each year at Thanksgiving and continued each year.
In 1941 and 1942, tragedy entered the lives of the North Side Community with flooding. During the 1942 disaster, Shiloh’s basement was used as a refuge. The Red Cross and Public Health Unity sponsored the shelter. The church was able to provide various means of aid to those persons involved and needed assistance.
By 1943, because of Rev. Washington’s brilliant business capabilities, the final payment on the mortgage was made. Rev. Washington shared his life with Shiloh from 1930 to 1958, until his death on February 22, 1958. On Tuesday, February 25, 1958, relatives, members, friends and officers of the Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas assembled for a Memorial Service in Rev. Washington’s honor. Rev. A.A. Lucas, president of the convention, officiated.
After the death of Rev. Washington in 1958, the Sons of Shiloh were scheduled to preach each Sunday. Rev. A.T. Ellison, assistant to Rev. Washington, served until another pastor was called. Others who shared this responsibility were: Reverends W.C. Ellison and Johnnie Willie Brumfield. The Chairman of the Deacon Board, Mr. J.W. Warren, along with other members, sought to maintain spiritual and financial unity.
On September 3, 1958, the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church called 33-year-old, Reverend Albert E. Chew, Jr. to serve as its 10th Pastor. The major task of the new shepherd was to continue the building program. The first funeral Rev. Chew officiated was that of the church’s founder, Mrs. Cenie Campbell Stovall.
Building upon a foundation set by those before him, Rev. Chew continued a pattern of spreading the gospel, improving and building the edifice, and making Shiloh an integral part of the community, city, state and nation. In 1960, the need arose for a new location for Shiloh. Ample parking space was unavailable, and the church needed remodeling. A new location was found on North Houston Street, and eleven lots were purchased at a cost of $17,000.00. A slogan for the move, created by Delores Dubose was penned, “If all will give, and that means you, we’ll build our church in ’62.”
Rev. Chew shared his life with Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church from 1958 to 2015. In September 2015, he officially retired and became the Pastor Emeritus. On Thursday, November 5, 2015, Albert Emmitt Chew, Jr. went home to be with the Lord. On Thursday, November 12, 2015, relatives, members, friends, clergy, officers from the local, state and national conventions celebrated his “Home Going” at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church at 11:00 AM; he was buried at the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery.
On August 23, 2016, the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church called 38-year-old, Reverend Kraig Lowell Pullam to serve as its 11th Pastor. He assumed the pulpit on September 25, 2016 and officially installed on January 22, 2017.
We thank the Lord for the great things He has done; and the confidence in knowing “the best is yet to come!
