HISTORY OF SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF PALMER
THE VISION.
In 1979, Dr. A.B. Patterson, Jr., Pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Anchorage, had a vision to plant churches throughout Alaska and the world. From his vision, “Shiloh Missionary Baptist Mission of Palmer” was established in the Mat-Su Valley. The plan was presented as a charter mission and was adopted by the church. All members of the mission were members of Shiloh and that the mission aligned itself with the denomination of the parent church.
THE MISSION.
The first official organization and planning meeting took place at the home of Ms. Irma Perry, a member of Shiloh, who lived at 608 Auklet, Palmer, Alaska. Members and supporters present at the initial meeting were African Americans, Pastor A. B. Patterson, Mr. Oscar Malvo, Ms. Martha Morris, Ms. Ester Grimes, Ms. Kamilah Rasheed, and Ms. Robin Mays. Ms. Perry, a committee member, contacted Pastor Glenn Little of First Baptist Church for the Mission to hold an afternoon worship at their church, (505 South Bailey St., Palmer, AK). Rev. Mark Smith was appointed the first mission pastor of the "Palmer Outreach Mission". In December 1979, the Mission first service was held.
A MISSION IN PROGRESS.
The Mission worshiped at First Baptist Church for several months. Due to a decline in membership, the Pastor moves the worship service to his home. There were only the Doucet family and the McGowan family worshipping with the Smith family. Rev. Smith served until 1982, when he accepted the call to pastor another church far north. The Mission then moved back to First Baptist Church when Rev. John L. Anderson was appointed Pastor in 1983. Under his leadership a choir was formed and had numerous supporters that came from Ft. Richardson Army. Rev. Anderson served for eight months and was transferred due to his Military duties. Between 1983 and 1984, Rev. Abraham Midget served as supply pastor until Rev. Lewis Dean was appointed in 1984.
Under the leadership of Rev. Dean, the following families joined the Mission: the Love family, Peel family, Bradley family, Reese family, and the Prigetts family. During this time, a two acre lot was purchased for future building on October 22, 1984. A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 25, 1985. The Mission had their first church picnic and campout in September of 1985, (a 2-½ day camp-out). On August 3, 1986, Nissan Doucet became the first member to be baptized.
November 19, 1986, Rev. Paul McGee was appointed Mission Pastor in the absence of Rev. Dean. He developed a Wednesday night bible study program. On October 1, 1989, four new candidates came forth for baptism. Even though several families moved away, the Mission continued to prosper by celebrating their first Women’s Day program and the Mission Anniversary. The men of the church were actively involved in putting in the foundation on the newly purchased lot. The excavation was put on hold.
Again, the membership declined because of the Mission worshiping at 2:00 p.m. Consequently, arrangements were made with the Seventh Day Adventist Church to begin service at 10:45 a.m. Though the change was beneficial, soon we were in need to relocate. First Baptist Church opened their doors once again. At this time, the membership consisted of the Peel family, Hall family, McGowan family, Dennis Family, Harrison family, and the Simpton family. Rev. McGee served until 1993. After this time, several supply ministers filled the pulpit until the appointment of mission pastor.
THE CHURCH.
On July 6, 1995, with the help of the parent church, the mission purchased the very church of its first worship service. The First Baptist Church of Palmer officially changed hands becoming Shiloh Missionary Baptist Mission of Palmer with the help of the parent church. Rev. Joe Blackburn was appointed Mission Pastor, and Rev. Timothy Harvey was appointed as Assistant and Youth Pastor. The church grew by more than 45 members, seventeen of whom came forward for baptism between 1995 and 1998. As a mission, a formal office of diaconate was established, along with an usher board, Sunday School Director, nursery, music ministry, youth director, and community outreach. On December 6, 1998, Rev. Pamela Doerr was the first minister to be licensed, and Rev. Bernice Robinson was licensed May 2, 1999.
June 4, 1999, The Mission became an autonomous church. The church's new name became, "Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Palmer" (affectionately called: "Shiloh Palmer" ). On August 15, 1999, the Church celebrated it's autonomous status and Rev. Blackburn became the first officiated Pastor. The records listed seventy-five (75) members, which represented thirty-seven families. Rev. Blackburn was ordained October 8, 1999. In November of 2000, Rev. Blackburn accepted the call to be a full-time pastor at Corinthian Baptist Church in Fairbanks, Alaska.
November of 2000, Rev. Kim Patterson was selected by the Pastoral search committee and was voted on by the church to serve as the interim pastor. He served until September 30, 2001.
June of 2002, Rev. Jesse Mitchell became the interim pastor. On August 1, 2003, Rev. Jesse Mitchell was voted by the Church to become the second Pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Palmer. Rev. Mitchell established a Men's Ministry and Men's Choir, Women's Ministry (God Leading Ladies), Evangelism Ministry, and Senior Ministry. Pastor Mitchell has licensed Rosalind M. Simmons and Rosemary McGowan as Associate Ministers.
Pastor Mitchell remained faithful in advancing the services of our Lord in preaching and teaching the Gospel. Pastor Mitchell and First Lady Lillian Mitchell served faithfully until Pastor Mitchell's retirement in November 2019. Shiloh honored Pastor Mitchell with Pastor Emeritus status.
Assistant Pastor Rosalind M. Simmons, led "Shiloh Palmer" during the transition and she served as Interim Pastor until April 2023 at which time she continued her service as Assistant Pastor. Pastor Jebther Lee Grace, was transitioned from Pastor's Assistant, to our newly installed Interim Pastor August 2023.
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Palmer will celebrate our forty-third church anniversary in 2022. "Shiloh Palmer" is blessed and grateful that God continues to guide us as His worthy and competent servants.
Palmer Outreach Mission (1979):
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Palmer (1999):
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour; and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in our affections, prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us toward its expenses, for the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world.
In case of differences of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to study diligently the Word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be kind and just to those in our employ, and faithful in the service we promise others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and good will towards all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith.
We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every good word and work; to guard each other’s reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each other’s joys, and with tender sympathy bear one another’s burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of the Savior in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay; and through life, amid evil report, and good report, to seek to live to the glory of God, who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
When we remove from this place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
MISSION STATEMENT.
Our mission is to make and equip desciples for Christ through sharing, caring, teaching and proclaiming THE WORD OF GOD.
VISION STATEMENT.
To be a viable part of the community by establishing a worship center, a christian school, a senior and child day care center, and a health and youth center.
Contact info
Copyright © 2022
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Palmer
505 S. Bailey Street | Palmer, AK 99645
907-745-5532 | 907-745-5530
- All Rights Reserved.
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