The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section A, Page 5

SHILOH CITIZENS FROM GEORGIA AND CAROLINAS

The group of pioneer citizens of Shiloh Community were from George and
South Carolina. They brought their church letters from Reed Creek in Hart
County, Georgia and Andersonville in Anderson, South Carolina. R. V DYAR
was the leader in the organization of Shiloh Baptist Church.

This group of men and women met in the Godsey log schoolhouse September 3,
1901 to organize Shiloh Baptist Church. Shiloh is located nine miles from
north of Hamilton in Marion County. The following charter members were
enrolled: G. W. PALMER, Susie PALMER, J. S. EVANS, Lou EVANS, Roxie HARPER,
and C. C. TERRY from Reed Creek Baptist Church in Hart County, Georgia.
Nettie DYAR, Janie DYAR, and Lucie FELTMAN from Anderson Baptist Church in
South Carolina.

At their first meeting R. V. DYAR was received by letter and as a deacon.
Rev. A. A. GAY was called as pastor and R. V. DYAR was elected clerk. The
name chosen was Shiloh. Delegates elected clerk. Delegates elected for the
Association were R. V. DYAR, G. W. PALMER, and J. S. EVANS. They met with
the Yellow Creek Association.

The Church Covenant and Articles of Faith were written. rules of Decorum
were established. These Articles and Rules were read to the church in
conference at least once a year.

Services were held regularly, each month, in the little log school-house.
Members met on Saturdays for conference, to attend to all business, and for
the reception of new members. All members were to live up to Christian
standards or be excluded. One requirement was to attend services and
conference or have a legal excuse. In the summer revival services were held
in a brush arbor.

G. W. PALMER and John T. HARPER gave the land to build the first church
building. The one room church was built in 1903 and 1904. This building was
used for thirty years. In 1934 and 1935 a better and larger wood building
was built with six class rooms. People in the church and community donated
material and labor. People were contacted to give money needed.

The Church adopted a budget system financing under the leadership of Rev.
A. M. NIX. In 1945 five hundred dollars was set aside as a building fund.
During the years of 1946-1950 several people planted an acre of cotton and
gave to this building fund. The church land was planted and worked by free
labor. On December 17, 1950, the ground breaking service for the present
brick building was conducted. Two charter members were living and one was
present at this meeting. Dedication services were conducted May 13, 1951.
Laying the corner stone was March 2, 1952. This brick building, with gas
heat, has nine class rooms for the teaching services.

Sunday School was part of the services in the log school-house in 1901. In
1934 the Cradle Roll and Home Department were added to the Sunday School.
Training Union for the Young People was as early as 1924. In 1934 the
Woman's Missionary Union was organized. In 1945 Shiloh held its first
Vacation Bible School by the help of a state worker. Each year since then a
Vacation Bible School has been held.

The cemetery at Shiloh has a history of its own. W. S. GODSEY gave the land
where the log school house stood for the cemetery. Later Elbert HARPER gave
more land to straighten the lines. The first recorded grave was 1901. Two
graves were there before the church was organized. The Church grounds and
cemetery have a good sod and is mowed regularly as a part of the church
duties.