During World War I there were no churches in the Penns Grove area for African Americans. On April 20, 1917, a few consecrated men and women of the community saw the necessity of caring for the spiritual needs of the growing African American population and met together for a religious service. After the lapse of a few months, a store was rented on West Pitman Street between Lanning Avenue and Broad Street and the Rev. Lawrence, a Methodist Minister of Chester, Pennsylvania led the little band of worshippers in their devotions. As a very large segment of this early congregation was Baptists, Rev. Lawrence, after a short stay, relinquished the work of this ministry to Rev. Matthews of the Baptist faith who was the first called pastor. He was followed by Rev. E. L. Mosley. They formally organized as a Missionary Baptist Church. This marked the humble beginnings of Shiloh.

In 1920, they purchased one of the World War I houses from DuPont in Carneys Point. The structure was moved to 54 Willis Street. Looking to the future, in 1922 two adjourning lots were purchased, providing the ground needed for expansion. In 1926, the small group of believers felt the need of having better facilities for carrying forward the work of the church and they started erecting a cinder block building. The outer wall of this building had reached the point of being ready for the roof and floors when a hurricane blew down the north wall. Upon examination by the borough authorities, the building was condemned and the entire structure had to be demolished.

This seeming misfortune doubtless would have discouraged a less trusting people, but with a zeal characteristic of those who believed their cause was right, they salvaged as much material from the wreckage as possible and awaited a more favorable opportunity to continue their building project. On September 18, 1931, the congregation through the aid of the Building Committee under the leadership of the Rev. Charles West and James H. Wilson, entered into an agreement with George A. Kelings & Company of Philadelphia to construct the present edifice. This project so rapidly progressed that the congregation was able to invite friends and neighbors to join with them in opening their new church in November.

On November 1, 1931 at eleven o’clock in the morning the first worship service was held in the new building and continued with a service at 3:30 P.M. in the afternoon. The laying of the cornerstone for Shiloh was Sunday, May 20, 1932 at 3:00 P.M., while Rev. Charles West still served as acting pastor. Among those who have served Shiloh as pastor during those years were the Rev. Mr. Matthews, the first pastor, Rev. E. L. Mosley, Rev. E. D. Dodson, Rev. William Dobbins, Rev. Hosea Pinkey, Rev. George Pinkey, Rev. S. S. Spriggs, Rev. R. H. Daies, with Rev. Charles West acting as pastor when the project was completed. Rev. Milton Hilary was called to pastor Shiloh in 1933. In 1975, a new addition was added on to the church. Rev Hilary served faithfully for 45 years until his passing on March 7, 1977.

Rev. Alexander Benjamin, Sr. was called to Shiloh in January, 1978. The church had its second mortgage burning on August 1, 1982. The same spirit in which the church was established continued to prevail under the leadership of Rev. Benjamin. Several associate ministers became part of the fellowship during this time including Rev. Calculous M. Brown, Rev. Gerald Riddick, and Rev. Nathan G. Jones. After eighteen years of dedicated service, Rev. Benjamin retired as pastor of Shiloh.

In 1997, the Lord led Rev. William Tuff to Shiloh and in 1998, he was installed as pastor. Under the capable leadership of Reverend William Tuff, Jr., the Shiloh Baptist Church of Penns Grove has soared to new heights. Pastor Tuff’s first order of business was to proclaim a vision for the church to be equipped for ministry through Christian Education, Prayer, and Divine Guidance. The purpose of which would be to carry out the mandate of Christ to reconcile lost souls to God through Evangelism and Discipleship. With the intent of leading Shiloh into the new millennium, the emphasis has been to develop a biblically based church able to meet the needs of its people.

Since its humble beginnings in 1917, Shiloh Baptist Church has become a vibrant multicultural spiritual force in the Penns Grove community. With God’s help, we will continue to carry out His mandate to go into the world and make disciples of men, women, boys, and girls. To God be all the glory for the great things He has done through the household of faith here at Shiloh. May He continue to bless and keep each of us as only He can.