SOUTHERN ILLINOIS' SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH TO MARK 180 YEARS

VILLA RIDGE, Ill. -- Most of the 52 Mounted Rangers who volunteered for service during the Black Hawk War of 1832 were members of the Old Shiloh Baptist Church in Southern Illinois.

Two members of Shiloh Church served in the armed forces and participated in the Gulf War in the early 1990s. That covers a span of more than 150 years.

But Shiloh Baptist Church has been around much longer: The church will observe its 180th anniversary this weekend.

The church, situated on a knoll about two miles west of Villa Ridge, is rich in Southern Illinois heritage.

The frame building is the third home for the church, which was founded as Shiloh Baptist Church on Oct. 17, 1817.

The anniversary service Sunday has been designated "Goal 180." It will feature a number of special activities. Some members of the Sunday school and church will dress in historic-era costumes. The Rev. Jim Wilkins of Jonesboro, a former missionary, will provide the Sunday message at 11 a.m.

Following a noon potluck lunch, activities will include:

-- "Singspiration" -- a music program by church members.

-- Covered-wagon rides.

-- A Shiloh Church video.

-- Exhibit of religious and historic memorabilia -- pictures, books, clothing.

-- Members portraying different periods of Shiloh history.

The church has a membership of about 80. The Rev. Larry Miller and his wife, Jane, serve the church.

"We'll have 70 to 80 people here most weeks," said Miles Hartman, a church member and member of the church's publicity committee.

Among first settlers in Southern Illinois were families from North and South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Athertons, Biggerstaffs, Johnsons, Edwards, Hogendoblers, Greens and many other names still familiar to the area gathered in various homes in their new areas and founded the church.

Leaders in the church were James P. Edwards, Thomas Howard and Thomas Green.

Members of the early church met and worshipped in homes until the first log church was constructed in 1820. The first church had crude log benches, a floor made of split logs, and a sounding board behind the pulpit.

The second Shiloh Church, a frame building, was erected in 1852.

The building we now occupy was built in 1869, following a fire that destroyed the second building, said Hartman.

The structure is one of the oldest churches in the area, second only to the Korthal Lutheran Church near Jonesboro, Ill., which was constructed in 1860, a few years after that church was organized.

Today's Shiloh structure has oak seats purchased in 1950. They replaced original board seats, which were hand-made by Joe and Henry Weiting, using old square nails. One of the original seats is still in the basement of the building.

The basement was added in 1956. Extra Sunday school rooms and a kitchen were added to the building in 1989, and a stained-glass window overlooking the pulpit was dedicated in 1963, in memory of Aaron Atherton and in honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of the Rev. and Mrs. H.E. Lockard. The Rev. Lockard served Shiloh Church 34 years, and his daughter, Evelyn, is a member of the church.

A church bell has been added to the structure.

Land for the church was donated by Aaron Atherton and his wife, Christina. James Aaron (Jay) Hogendobler, a descendant of Aaron Atherton, and his wife, Chris, are members of the church today. Another current member is Judy (Atherton) Hogendobler, another descendant of Aaron Atherton.

A member of the early church, Ider Thomas P. Green, was first to introduce Sunday school work in Southern Illinois. Elder James Edwards was the first Baptist preacher in the territory.

Shiloh became a charter member of the Clear Creek Baptist Association in 1831, and has remained a member ever since.

Shiloh has been largely responsible for the organization of eight other Baptist churches throughout the area.

Members of the church are proud of its heritage.

Early baptisms for Shiloh were held at Cache River. It is said that sometimes ice had to be broken to conduct baptisms. Some baptisms were held in the Ohio River, a few hours away by wagon.

The Old Shiloh Cemetery is on land provided by Mrs. Lucy Prindle of Mounds. The oldest burial shown there was in 1831, with the latest in 1903. The New Shiloh Cemetery is across the road from the church. The oldest burial in the new cemetery is 1872, and the cemetery is still used for burials.

"We are proud of the heritage of Shiloh Church," said Hartman. "On Sunday we will be honoring those who have labored throughout these 180 years and have helped keep the church in existence."

SHILOH'S MISSION

A poem written years ago by one of Shiloh Baptist Church's members, Marie Farnsworth, reflects its mission:

Shiloh Church

"For years she's stood, both night and day

to guard her dead across the way

Yet not forgetting those who live,

her bell rings out, "I've much to give."

"So worshipers who enter there

and breathe a humble simple prayer,

forget her age and lonely view

when they are blessed to start anew."

"In her, I see the old and new

the past, the present, future too

For as in years gone by, she still

stands there, a light house on the hill."