History of West Shiloh Baptist Church

Realizing the need for a Baptist church in the West Shiloh Community, in 1903 Mrs. Maggie White invited two Baptist preachers -- her brother, J. Newton Varnell, and her brother's friend, Walter Young, to lead a revival meeting in the Britton school-house, later known as the West Shiloh School. The school was located behind the present church parsonage. The following year, another revival took place in a brush arbor behind the school. These two revivals energized a drive to establish a Baptist church in the West Shiloh Community.

Miss Sarah Rowsey, the daughter of a missionary

Baptist preacher, joined the efforts of Mrs. Maggie White for the construction of a church building. Having taught literary, elocution (speech), and music, and believing that God had "made it her duty" to build a place for the little children to meet, Miss Rowsey started immediately raising funds while enduring great opposition.

Miss Rowsey's personal appeals in relation to building the West Shiloh Church included the writing of 5066 letters. Some of her requests went to lumber men who gave materials for the church structure. Area people, as well as Civil War veterans from the North and South, gave generously when confronted with Miss Rowsey's passionate pleas.

Dr. W. C. Golden, State Missions Secretary for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, was approached by Miss Rowsey. Promising to donate 6 3/4 acres of her land for the church site, Miss Rowsey asked Tennessee Baptists for aid, even before the church had been organized. With the assistance of Dr. E. E. Folk, editor of the Baptist and Reflector, Dr. Golden informed Tennessee Baptists about the funds needed for the building and organization of the West Shiloh Baptist Church. A missionary, W. H. Runions, was sent in 1907 to oversee the building of the church. By December, 1907, the church building was completed on a site west of the Shiloh battlefield, which resulted in the name West Shiloh Baptist Church. Miss Sarah Rowsey eventually deeded the land as required by the Tennessee Mission Board on November 7, 1908.

The church auditorium's slanted floor often caused a lot of commotion. When a child dropped a toy, it rolled all the way to the front of the church before bumping the pulpit area. Outside, there was a bell, which tolled at funerals and rang every Sunday. Wall paper, seats, and a few other items were still needed. Some debt remained. However, the church was said to be "the nicest and best arranged church house in the country."

Dr. Savage, President of Union University, came to organize the West Shiloh Baptist Church prior to the annual Harmony Association meeting October 4-6, 1907. Elder J. W. Pennington was the first pastor. On October 4, 1907, the West Shiloh Baptist Church was accepted by a unanimous vote as a member of the Harmony Missionary Baptist Association. Among the first ten members were Mrs. Daisy Cotner, Mrs. Martha Jefferies, Mrs. Maggie White, Mr. Jeff Jones, Mrs. Sarah Rowsey, and Mrs. Delia Dickey. Other early members listed in 1907 and 1908 were Julus Poindexter, J. A. Smith, and L.B. Philyam.

During the early years, the church suffered from severe internal problems and almost disbanded. Although the land was donated and deeded to the church, it was told that Ms. Sara Rowsey would not give the deed to the church members. The church building was locked. The church met next door in the school house for a few years. All early church records were burned.

Dr. Henry Sanders, who was a member of the Tennessee Baptist Board, had the church reopened. On September 5, 1919, C. W. Knight, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Corinth, Mississippi, recognized West Shiloh Church as a properly organized Missionary Baptist Church. The church council consisted of J. W. Patton (sent by the Tennessee State Mission Board to be the missionary pastor) and C. W. Knight. The Church Covenant and The Church Declaration as given in Pendelton's Church Manual were adopted. Charter members of the reorganized church were: J. D. Jones, Ella Jones, W. R. Clack, Anna Clack, Alfred M. White, Maggie White, Lillie McDaniel, Daisy Cotner, J. W. Poindexter, Annie Poindexter, and Delia Dickey. At the close of the service, the following people joined by letter: R. B. Bell, Maude Bell, Victoria Bell, Effie Bell, T. F. Wright, and Nina Wyatt. Fletcher English, William Thomas, and Hester Cook joined the church by their public professions of faith and their baptisms. The baptisms took place in the Tennessee River.

In 1923, Bro. Fleetwood Ball led in a revival that resulted in 32 new converts being baptized. The church adopted a new church covenant. From that time, the church began to grow.

While many churches used other songbooks, West Shiloh used the Baptist Hymnal. Mr. Ether Blanton was the music director and Miss Zaida Fullwood played the pump organ to provide inspiring music for the worship services.

West Shiloh Baptist Church endured many hardships. During the night services, coal oil lamps provided the light. Mr. John Gray continuously had to relight the lamps which frequently burned out.

For many years, preaching services were held only once a month as the church shared their pastor with area churches. However, Sunday School was held each Sunday.

A new surge of growth came to West Shiloh in 1948. The church voted to have preaching every Sunday and on June 30, they voted to build a new building. The last service in the old building was held on the fourth Sunday of July. The first worship service in the new building was held on the fifith Sunday of July.

The old church building was purchased by Dr. E. G. Sanders. He then donated it to Calvary Baptist Church in Mud Creek. The lumber was used to build their church which remains in use today.

West Shiloh has been a member of four Baptist Associations: Harmony Baptist Association (1907 - 1919): Unity Baptist Association (1920-1923); McNairy Baptist Association (1923 - 1974); and Shiloh Baptist Association (1974 - Present).

— From a collection of writings from members of the West Shiloh Baptist Church and Associational Minutes