Shiloh Church (Newport, Rhode Island) facts for kids
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Shiloh Baptist Church
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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Annex (left) and church (right)
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | 25-29 School Street, Newport, Rhode Island |
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| Built | 1799 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Part of | Newport Historic District (ID68000001) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000026 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 12, 1971 |
| Designated NHLDCP | November 24, 1968 |
The Shiloh Baptist Church building, also known as the Trinity School House, is a very old and important building in Newport, Rhode Island. It started as a school and later became a church for an African American Baptist community. Today, it is recognized as a historic place.
Contents
Building's History
From School to Church
A School for Many Years
Back in February 1799, the leaders of Trinity Church decided to build a school. Money for the school came from a gift left by a person named Nathaniel Kay. The building was designed in the Georgian style, which was popular at the time. It was 40 feet long and 25 feet wide. Many important people who lived in Newport went to school in this very building. The school taught students for a long time, until 1867.
Becoming Shiloh Baptist Church
In 1864, a group of African American Baptists started their own church. It was founded by Edmund Kelly and first met in a house on Levin Street. William James Barnett was their first pastor. For five years, the group met at another church building. But they really wanted their own permanent place to worship.
In 1868, the members of the Shiloh Church bought the old school building from Trinity Church. They paid $2,000 for it. The congregation moved into their new home on February 24, 1869. A special service was held to celebrate their new church. The church members worked hard to raise the money needed to pay for the building over the next 14 months.
Pastor Henry N. Jeter's Leadership
Henry N. Jeter became the pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in 1875. He led the church for 25 years! Pastor Jeter helped the church grow stronger. He created a written set of rules for the church and made the choir bigger. He was known for bringing people together and helping them work through challenges.
The church building was updated in 1873, which cost $1,600. Later, in 1884, an extra building called an annex was added to the side of the church. This annex was used as a community hall. In 1897, the church changed its entrance and put in beautiful stained-glass windows.
A Historic Landmark Today
The Shiloh Baptist Church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. This means it is recognized as an important historical site. At that time, the Shiloh Baptist Society still owned the building. By 2020, the building was being used as a bed and breakfast, welcoming visitors to Newport.
See also
External links
- Pastor Henry N. Jeter's Twenty-five Years Experiencewith the Shiloh Baptist Church and Her History. Corner School and Mary Streets, Newport, R. I.:Electronic Edition. (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Documenting the American South)
