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Shiloh AME celebrates 121 years

Tracy Farnham | The News Herald

Shiloh AME kicked off its 121st anniversary celebrations on Saturday with a Fun Day. Bria Corpening, left, enjoys sliding down the inflatable with Katelyn Cuthbertson, right. More events are scheduled in late July.

By Tracy Farnham | The News Herald

Published: July 2, 2009

MORGANTON - Shiloh AME Church at 1323 N. Powerhouse Road near Lake James has a rich history that dates to the late 1800s. Nearly all off the church's current members can trace their heritage back to the original church membership.
"Today most church members are direct descendants and are connected to the original members by birth or marriage by five or more generations," Nettie McIntosh said. "My great-great-grandfather was one of the original members."
McIntosh, baptized in Shiloh AME and now its church secretary, researched and documented Shiloh AME history through the years and wrote "Reflections on 121 Years of Shiloh Church and Community."
She previously served on a committee that put together the "History of Burke County Volume II" and is a member of the county historical society.
Established in 1888, Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church was in the Fonta Flora area prior to the creation of Lake James. The membership then worshiped in a log cabin structure about five miles from the present-day church building.
Fonta Flora is a once-thriving community drowned when Lake James was filled. Descendants of those displaced to the water's edge have bitter-sweet memories of the community.
Many years ago, McIntosh said, "the lake waters went down during the drought ... and I went to look at some of the old chimneys that were still standing underneath the waters of Lake James. They didn't tear anything down; the people just moved out."
People who lived at Fonta Flora, including McIntosh's own father, helped build the dam that drowned the community, McIntosh said.
Shiloh AME's members purchased nearby land and the church continued.
"The church became stronger," McIntosh said. "They didn't leave it even after they were displaced."
According to McIntosh, Alex Hemphill deeded land better suited for the church approximately five miles from the original log structure. They built a frame structure along with a one-room schoolhouse situated just behind the present-day parsonage (built in 1968). The school remained in use until 1940, McIntosh stated.
"All of the outlying schools in some way were connected in the jurisdiction of the Burke County schools. This was before integration," she said.
A cornerstone in the foundation of the cinder-block building dates the church to 1941.
"The original one burned just prior to that," McIntosh said.
Another fire struck in 1958, but McIntosh said the congregation always rebuilt on the same ground.
The Rev. H.S.Williams, the current pastor, led the congregation in building a new sanctuary completed in 1990. The original sanctuary became the fellowship hall.
With nearly 270 people in attendance each Sunday, Shiloh AME today has a very active congregation affiliated with the 2nd Episcopal District. The Missionary Society supports both foreign and domestic missions. It offers mid-week Bible study and monthly vesper services. Shiloh AME also has an active young people's department. The church has nurtured many of its young people into the ministry, McIntosh said.
"There are various clubs that meet regularly with a two-fold purpose: to meet as fellowship and meet as support for the church," she added.
What sets Shiloh apart from other churches, McIntosh said, is "the strong religious celebrations of the spirit manifested weekly, coming together as a church and a strong Bible-believing and -praising congregation."
Shiloh kicked off its anniversary celebration this year with a Family Fun Day on Saturday. Adults enjoyed bingo and had a cake walk while the younger children played in an inflatable and the older youth played basketball.
Agnes Howell watched as the children enjoyed a day of fun.
"I've gone here all my life and was baptized here and grew up here. I remember Sunday school, vacation Bible schools and homecoming services," she said.
"My grandmother always brought us to church and, although my children have their own church, I bring the grandchildren here so they can experience what we're all about," Howell said.
More anniversary events will take place July 23-26.
The Rev. W.F. McIntosh will speak at a banquet July 25. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased from Carolyn Fleming. Call 439-4133 for ticket information.