IL HR1350

Illinois House congratulates Shiloh Baptist Church on its 175th anniversary, founded December 9, 1839, south of Bridgeport as the first Baptist church in Lawrence County.

The 11 founding members were baptized by Elder G.W. Riley on December 8, 1839, and the church was officially constituted as the First Regular Baptist Church before being renamed Shiloh Baptist Church on August 9, 1840.

Shiloh Baptist Church is among the 100 oldest churches of any denomination in Illinois and one of the 6 oldest Baptist churches in the state.

The church's original 1863 meeting house was destroyed by fire in 1940; a new auditorium was constructed in 1940 and dedicated on August 30, 1981, with a second auditorium added beginning in 1979.

The 175th anniversary celebration will be held on December 14, 2014, featuring special guests, music, displays, photos, and a luncheon followed by a reception.