Our Vision

Vision Statement.

Shiloh Baptist Church of Greensboro is a loving, caring church where people join and are equipped to become disciples of Christ who go out and transform the world into the Kingdom of God.

History of Shiloh Baptist Church of Greensboro

On April 10, 1892, thirteen men and women met in the basement of Trinity AME Zion Church to discuss the formation of a new church. These pioneers formed a Christian fellowship based on love, trust and hope. This fellowship became known as Shiloh Baptist Church of Greensboro. This hard working group of Christians, who were formerly affiliated with Providence Baptist Church, dreamed of a church that would meet the needs of its members and the surrounding community. “… if you have faith as small as a mustard seed…nothing will be impossible for you,” Matthew 17:20.

The Reverend L. R. Jeffries served the young church for four years. During this time, the first building was erected on Austin Street. It served as Shiloh’s home until 1925. Following Reverend Jeffries, the Reverend S. S. Henderson was called as pastor in 1896. He served the church for two years. The Reverend B. B. Hill served Shiloh for four years and was followed by Reverend T. D. Atkins. Rev. Atkins resigned after serving five years. `

On May 10, 1907, Reverend John Thomas Hairston preached during revival service and was called to lead the flock. Reverend J. T. Hairston embarked on the longest history of service to date---a total of fifty-three years from 1907 until his death in 1960. During his tenure, the second Church building was erected. Completed in sections, beginning in 1925 and continuing through the Great Depression and World War I, the new building was completed during the 1940s. Also, the membership increased to 500 members. A number of auxiliaries, such as the usher board, church neighborhood groups (later called wings and teams), youth choirs, junior church, Baptist training union, missionary program and Sunday School were initiated and/or improved upon under his loving and disciplined leadership. The Boy Scout Troop was charted on July 23, 1925. Rev. J. T. Hairston was a respected leader on a state and national level.

In April 1960, the Reverend Otis L. Hairston was called to serve Shiloh after the death of his father, Reverend J. T. Hairston. Reverend Otis L. Hairston assumed his pastorate just as the Greensboro and world communities began facing turbulent times. He continued the tradition of bold Shiloh leadership. Shiloh stood at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s. In addition, two of the students who initiated the national sit-in movement on February 1, 1960, were Shiloh members. In response to the need for safe, affordable housing, Shiloh developed the J. T. Hairston Memorial Apartments in 1967.

In the 1970s, Reverend Otis L. Hairston, Sr., led Shiloh in the building and completion of the current Shiloh edifice, which included the Shiloh Day Care Center. Under Reverend Hairston’s pastorate, the J. T. Hairston Memorial Scholarship, Clinton E. Gravely Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Catherine Copeland Dramatics Club, Floral Club, Layman’s League, Hostess Committee, Library and Media Committee, Mellowettes, Zelmore Headen Helping Hand Club, Shiloh Youth Group, Nurses Club, Creative Exercise Classes, Bowling Ensemble, were all formed. He served as editor of the “Shiloh Informer,” a monthly newsletter that keeps members up to date on the activities of the church and its members.

Pastor Hairston was never satisfied with “business as usual”. He would repeat to the congregation that “the biggest room is the room for Improvement”. He taught his members to always remember “others”. He used his vision, creativity and administrative gifts to strengthen Shiloh. One of his visions was to unite community churches in worship. St. Matthews Methodist, New Zion Missionary Baptist and Shiloh Baptist joined together for weekly prayer services and for Easter Sunrise Service, a concept that is embraced unto this day. Other churches later joined in the Wednesday Night Prayer Service. Shiloh also participated in Brotherhood Services with First Baptist Church on Friendly Avenue in Greensboro.

Reverend Gregory T. Headen was called to Shiloh in 1993 after the retirement of Reverend Otis L. Hairston, Sr. Reverend Headen’s pastorate brought the Singles Ministry, HIV/AIDS Ministry, and a summer enrichment program. He served Shiloh from 1994 until 1996. Thereafter, Shiloh was blessed to experience leadership from Reverend Tyrone E. Kilgoe from August 1998 to 2001, Reverend Anthony E. Cozart, Sr., from February 2003 to 2005, and Reverend F. Willis Johnson from June 2007 to 2009. During periods when Shiloh was without a pastor, Reverend John B. Doe, Jr., served the congregation with energy, compassion and the love of a genuine Shepherd.

In September 2011, Shiloh Baptist Church of Greensboro called Reverend William Steven Allen, Sr., as its eleventh pastor. Reverend Allen was a lifelong member of the Church and a lifelong advocate within the community. He set about initiating programs to showcase the Christian commitment to provide care for the needy. He expanded the Church’s community outreach to do more to feed the hungry, and to provide rental, utility, medical and housing assistance. Further, he led the Church to partner with other local churches and non-profits to address food insecurity issues through programs for eating healthy foods. Such initiatives were tailored to combat chronic diseases such as diabetes, strokes, and the COVID-19 virus.

He extended the scope of the Church to partner with the Barnabas Network to provide furniture for the needy. Not only was Reverend Allen an activist for the needy in our community, but he directed support to those requiring disaster relief throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Michigan and Mississippi.

Reverend Allen promotes the Church as a meeting place to allow others who may want to convene to discuss and rally for social environmental, political, criminal and social justice issues in North Carolina and beyond. Under his leadership, the Church facility has been improved. He led the team to complete a refinancing of church financial obligations, capital improvements to Church facilities and the successful operation of three targeted capital fund campaigns.

In 2021, Reverend Allen completed ten years in service as pastor. In addition to his multiple roles in service to the Church and the community, the Church acknowledges, as among his greater achievements, his leadership through these unchartered waters of the COVID-19 pandemic and successor mutations. He reinforced the awesome power of prayer by implementing a daily conference call prayer line where members and friends can gather to lift up all joys and concerns to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through it all, we are grateful Shiloh Baptist Church of Greensboro remains a vital part of the community and we let our works herald the message, Shiloh Cares About People!