Shiloh Baptist Church (Columbus, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Shiloh Baptist Church
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Front of the church
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| Location | 720 Mt. Vernon Ave., Columbus, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1923 |
| Architect | A.O. Day Construction Co.; Rev. James H. Burks |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 04001288 |
| Added to NRHP | December 4, 2004 |
Shiloh Baptist Church is a very old and important church located in King-Lincoln Bronzeville, Columbus, Ohio. It is a Baptist church and has been a special place for its community since the 1860s. The building you see today was built in the 1920s and is now recognized as a historic site.
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What the Church Looks Like
The Shiloh Baptist Church building is made of brick and sits on a strong concrete base. It is built in the Gothic Revival style, which means it looks a bit like old European churches. You can see pretty limestone details on the outside.
The main part of the church is on the second floor. Below it is a basement with windows at ground level. To enter the main church area, you walk up a set of outdoor stairs to large doors.
Special Features of the Building
At the front corners of the church, there are two short, square towers with pointed roofs. These towers have simple rectangular windows above small doorways.
The church's design follows some traditional church styles. It has a pointed roof (called a gabled roof) that is broken up by other pointed roofs on the sides. Many of the windows and doorways are wide and shaped like pointed arches.
A Church with a Long History
Shiloh Baptist Church was started by a group of people who used to be members of another church in Columbus called Second Baptist Church. The city's Black population was growing quickly, especially on the east side. Because of this, the leaders of Second Baptist Church asked for volunteers to leave and start a new church.
Early Days and New Locations
These volunteers became the first members of the new Shiloh church. They first met in 1869 and worshipped in a rented building downtown until 1871. After that, they moved a few blocks east to Cleveland Avenue and Long Street.
In 1923, the church moved again to its current building on Mount Vernon Avenue. This new location was much farther east than their previous places of worship.
Building the Current Church
A minister named James Burks designed the church building. The A.O. Day Construction Company also helped with the work. During the Great Depression, a very difficult time for the country, the church almost lost its building because it could not pay its mortgage.
However, something unexpected and kind happened. The bank took ownership of the building through a process called foreclosure. But then, the bank quickly made a deal to give the property back to the church. Since then, the building has become a very important part of the Mount Vernon neighborhood.
Importance in the Community
Shiloh Baptist Church is the third oldest Black church in Columbus. Only its parent church, Second Baptist Church, and another African Methodist Episcopal Church are older. Because of its long history, the church has played a big role in the life of the Mount Vernon community.
A Recognized Historic Site
In 2004, the building was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important part of local history. The church is still active today and is part of the Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Association, which connects many Baptist churches.
See also
