Dr. Benjamin F. Fox, a native of Greensboro, NC and a group of 125 faithful Christians established Shiloh Baptist Church in 1896 in Salem, VA. Dr. Fox organized Shiloh in a spirit of prayer and love after splitting from the First Baptist Church, Salem. Before buying a building on Main Street, members worshipped in a small building on Alabama Street (South Market Street) and in Town Hall. In November 1910, the Shiloh membership laid the cornerstone of the former church home on the corner of Burwell and Alabama (South Market) Streets. The construction began during the administration of Dr. Fox, who served for 12 years, and it was completed during Dr. C. E. Miller’s tenure.

In its written history, First Baptist Church - Salem used the following words to describe Dr. Fox and his service to their church and community. “Rev. B. F. Fox was called to the pastorate of First Baptist Church in 1889. He proved himself as one of rare ability.” He served as moderator of the Valley Baptist Association, remodeled the parsonage, and installed a horseshoe gallery and the lighting system in the church. He was a wise and conservative minister. Three phrases summarized his character: a gospel preacher, a lawyer and carpenter of rare ability. Dr. Fox died on May 1, 1908. A dormitory at the Virginia Seminary and College, in Lynchburg, VA is named after him, “FOX HALL." In honor of his many accomplishments, The Valley Baptist Association erected a stone monument at Dr. Fox’s gravesite in the East Hill North Cemetery in Salem, VA.

Shiloh Baptist Church has been served by 10 ministers during its historical 112 years, namely: Dr. B. F. Fox; Dr. C. E. Miller; Rev. J. E. Reed; Rev. R. W. Ashburn; Rev. D. A. Jackson; Rev. H. M. Stevens; Rev. W. M. Scott; Rev. T. E. Parker; Dr. Enos H. Glaspie, Pastor Emeritus, and presently, Rev. Adrian E. Dowell.

During the pastorate of Rev. R. W. Ashburn, a parsonage was built on the south side of the church to house the minister and his family. When Shiloh decided to build, the parsonage was given to the Robert Lewis family and moved to White Oak Street, making room for the present building.

The factory style windows with about 60 window panes of plain glass were changed to four solid blue tinted glass panes while Rev. W. M. Scott was the pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. Also, during his tenure as pastor, the heating system was updated.

Other improvements, such as the addition of ceiling fans in the sanctuary, were purchased during the pastorate of Rev. T. E. Parker. The Men’s Club was organized under the leadership of Deacon John H. Branson. It is renamed The Men’s Fellowship Ministry and it is a thriving organization today under the leadership of Deacon Joseph Gaither.

Dr. Enos H. Glaspie accepted the call to pastor the Shiloh Baptist Church on Palm Sunday in April 1952. During his forty years of devoted service, the church continued its great expansion in spiritual well being. He led the congregation in erecting a $200,000.00 modern church in 1972 and in witnessing a double mortgage burning of the church and parking lot indebtedness in 1985. A much needed storage room was erected in 1989, air conditioning was installed in the classrooms, and a church bus was purchased. Dr. Glaspie retired in 1992 and was honored as Pastor Emeritus in 1993. He continued to show his love for Shiloh supporting the new pastor and ministering to the congregation until his health failed. Dr. Glaspie died on July 29, 2005 and is buried in Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem, VA.

Rev. Adrian E. Dowell was offered the pastorate of Shiloh Baptist Church on September 12, 1993. He accepted 5 days later, beginning his duties on January 2, 1994. A sanctuary full of members and well-wishers witnessed his formal installation service on January 9, 1994.

Under the leadership of Pastor Dowell, Shiloh Baptist Church initiated Moments with the Youth during Sunday morning worship service, added a Children’s Wednesday Night Bible Study Class, established a Youth Activities Council and activated the Young Adult & Youth Christian Fellowship. The Wednesday Evening Prayer Meeting and Bible Study have seen an increase in interest and attendance. We are now averaging over 100 adults and children every Wednesday evening. Capital improvements during Pastor Dowell’s tenure include a new roof, new carpet throughout the church and the purchase of new office furniture for the Pastor’s Study. Shiloh purchased computers, two new copiers, a typewriter, appliances and flooring for the kitchen, and a sound system for the sanctuary. The hiring of a part-time secretary and the addition of a financial secretary were accomplished. The indebtedness on the church bus was eliminated, the interior of the church was painted and the parking lot was resurfaced. New ministries include the Shiloh newsletter, church pictorial directories, a Saturday Morning Intercessory Prayer Service, a Sunday Evening Teaching Series for all age groups, and a Women’s Bible Study Class and the Youth Ensemble Choir.

In the fall of 2000 the members of Shiloh voted to proceed with the purchase of neighboring property for future expansion and the land acquisition campaign began in the spring of 2001. In May of 2001 Shiloh signed a five year note to purchase the neighboring property and was greatly blessed by the Lord to pay off the indebtedness in a period of nine months.

The Lord also blessed Shiloh with three Associate Ministers who blessed our fellowship. They are the Rev. Enos H. Glaspie, Jr., the Rev. Bertram Davis and the Rev. Roger Jones.

In 2003 & 2004, Shiloh was highly favored with the addition of two additional Associate Ministers. They are the Rev. Tarsha Davis (wife of Rev. Bertram Davis) who delivered her initial sermon on November 30, 2003 and Evangelist Paron Bailey who delivered her initial sermon on March 28, 2004 and later received a Doctorate Degree in 2007.

Also in 2003 the church began the ground preparation for a new parking lot. The Thomas Bros., Inc. contract was accepted for $48,944. This included structural streambank stabilization of the Creek Bed (Snyder Branch). The paving was entrusted to Sawyers Paving Co., for a cost of $18,510. Work is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2004.

On February 8, 2004, three deacons were ordained. They are: Anthony Cummings, Ronald Harvey and Jon Morris. A spirit-filled afternoon service was enjoyed with the Rev. Lee Pusha delivering the sermon and the Gospel Choir of Shiloh provided the music

2004 was an exciting year at Shiloh. The church again experienced a year of record attendance in worship services, prayer meeting and Bible Studies. But more importantly, there was continued witness and outpouring of the Holy Spirit and spiritual growth of the congregation as they faithfully supported the preaching, teaching and outreach ministries of the church. Twenty-nine (29) members were added or restored to the fold.

Not only did the Lord profit us to experience exciting worship; Shiloh member’s financial giving increased and the following capital improvements were made.

• Renovations to the rental properties and the paving of the parking areas for those properties.
• Repainting of the sanctuary and other areas of the church.
• Beautification of the church grounds with the assistance of the Men’s Fellowship Ministry
• Continual planning for the much needed expansion of the present facilities.

On February 6, 2005, Rev. Enos H. Glaspie, Jr. announced to the congregation his leaving as an Associate Minister to join in Ministry with another fellowship. Rev. Roger Jones, Associate Minister, also left the congregation in pursuit of an advance degree.

On June 25, 2005, the Deacon Ministry recommended that Deacon Kenneth Belton, Sr., become a full-fledged Deacon of Shiloh Baptist Church. The Joint Board unanimously voted yes to the recommendation. On December 18, 2005, Carla Shepherd assumed the position of Assistant Financial Secretary.

After many months of conversing and coordinating with Hughes Associates Architects, the Building Committee, co-chaired by Deacon Kenneth Belton, Sr. and Trustee William Sinkler, presented two (2) expansion and building plans to the congregation. The recommendation to the congregation and subsequent motion were to build a new sanctuary with modifications to the existing structure. The motion passed unanimously.

R. L. Price Construction Company was selected as the contractor for the new worship facility in January 2006. After accepting Valley Bank of Roanoke, Virginia loan package, the ground breaking for the new multi-million dollar building project was held on Sunday, November 5, 2006 with designated church officials and officers as well as invited guest performing the service. Also during 2006, Church Clerk Viola Cash resigned after many years of service and Phyllis Hairston was appointed as new Clerk. Bonita Hilton and Patsy Johns were appointed as Assistant Clerks. In that same year, Trustee Samuel Morgan was honored with the title of Trustee Emeritus and Rev. April Brickle became an Associate Minister of Shiloh Baptist Church.

On July 16, 2007 the members of The Joint Board met and unanimously voted on the following new deacons, deaconesses and trustees being added to their respective ministries at Shiloh: Deacons Gary Bannister, Robert Collins and Willie Thompson, Deaconesses Annie Bannister, Margie Collins and Larie Thompson and Trustees James Dickason, Delorese Ferguson, D. J. Johns and Alvis Perry.

On November 25, 2007, Brother Brian White delivered his initial sermon and at which time he was licensed by Shiloh Baptist Church to preach the gospel and to become an Associate Minister of Shiloh.

Shiloh under the spiritual leadership of Rev. Adrian E. Dowell, Pastor, continues to grow its church membership and ministries. The Single’s Ministry, reactivation of the Boy Scout Troop, the Praise Dancers and the Men’s Bible Study, Library Ministry are the five most recent ministries to grace the Shiloh fellowship during 2007 – 2008.

On January 6, 2008, Rev. April Brickle was licensed a Baptist Minister by the Shiloh Baptist Church and duly recognized as an Associate Minister of Shiloh. It was also the concessions of the church body to recognize and accept her previous Ordination.

Prior to occupying the new sanctuary, a week long service (March 9 – 15, 2008) was held for Thanksgiving and Consecration. The first official worship service was held on Palm Sunday, March 16, 2008, when the Combined Choir, Ministers, Deacons, Deaconess, Trustees, Missionaries, First Lady Dowell and First Lady Emeritus Glaspie marched from the E. H. Glaspie Fellowship Hall with palms in hand while singing “We are Marching to Zion” where a jubilant congregation was assembled.

During the quarterly church meeting of April 21, 2008 at the recommendation of the Joint Board Deacon James Jackson Sr. was honored with the title of Deacon Emeritus by the church membership.

On April 27, 2008, Dr. Carolyn Helm delivered her initial sermon and was licensed to preach the gospel and became an associate minister of Shiloh Baptist Church.

We are humbled and excited about what the Lord is doing at Shiloh. He continues to bless us to prosper in all the ministries of our church. As a teacher, Rev. Adrian E. Dowell is energetic and tireless. Rev. Dowell will always be known for his teaching and for building a membership that is praiseworthy. He can always be found by the bedside of the sick and afflicted, comforting the bereaved and having a word of cheer for those whose souls are being crushed by the responsibilities of life. Our greatest blessing has been the spiritual growth of our congregation as we continually seek and grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!