| Marker Text |
Around the end of the Civil War, area African Americans gathered together as a Baptist congregation to serve their spiritual needs. In 1872, several families organized a congregation including the Hampton, Van, Ward, Kelly, Norman, Miller, Bell, Kay, Smith, Powell, Williams, Cooks, Hasting, Thomas, Young, March and Wright families. The Reverend John Baptist served as first pastor of the Siloam Church. In the 1880s, church members built a church on land donated by Riley Hampton, having been purchased from the Kay family. The building was also used as a school, and Siloam church members served as school trustees. Teachers in the school included Mr. North, Todd Briggs, Osborne Kennedy and Ordella Holmes. The site also included a burial ground known as Siloam Cemetery.
In the twentieth century, under the leadership of Rev. Charlie Mayfield, Siloam Church was rebuilt in 1911. By 1965, this campus was torn down and replaced by another facility. The 1965 church building was designed by church member James Hampton, with assistance from Joe Van, Lenion Hampton, Maurice Hampton, and others. During the church’s incorporation in the early 21st century, the name changed from just Siloam to Siloam Missionary Baptist Church. Several choirs and the family gospel singing groups the jubilettes and the jubilairs provided music for the congregation and the surrounding area venues. Youth outreach women’s conferences, mission society, vacation bible school, hospitality, usher board and deacons serve the members and community. For over one hundred years, Siloam Missionary Baptist Church has continued a tradition of faithful service to the surrounding community. (2023) |
