About Us

In the southwest corner of Hosea Dolphus Sr. Blvd. (formerly Highland Av.) and Williams, stands the Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, a church that stands for “Love and Christian Understanding’. The church had its beginnings in 1928 in the home of humble servants of God, Bro. and Sis. Carrie Duncan, who lived on O’Quinn Avenue, with approximately seventeen in attendance.

 

In 1930, land was purchased on Highland Avenue and a Tabernacle was built. Rev. D.S. Bailey was called as the first pastor of the church. By 1931, the membership had grown, and Rev. D.W. Taylor of Houston, TX was called.  Rev. R.D. Burnett of Shreveport, LA was called as pastor in 1935.  The church continued to grow not only in membership but also in Christian belief and fellowship.

 

The Lord blessed us to have many spirit-filled pastors who by the grace of God led us to many accomplishments.  Some of these pastors include: 1944 Rev. Sargent; 1945 Rev. Dawson; 1946 Rev. T. Ford; 1947 Rev. S. H. Mitchell. From 1952-1958, Rev. L.N. Neal was called to the pastor.  Rev. Neal’s wisdom and knowledge of the Bible helped the members to grow deeper into the solid foundation of God. In January 1958, the Lord called him home. Rev. Frank Jones was called to the leadership of the church until he resigned in April 1960.

           

Rev. Hosea Dolphus Sr. was called to lead in May 1960. The church continued to grow and prosper during his leadership.  In April 2000, his health began to fail him, and Pastor Dolphus accepted the title of “Pastor Emeritus” until his demise in June 2000.  The following auxiliaries were organized during this great Shepherd’s journey: Ministers, Deacons, & Trustees Wives Council, Jr. Church, Angel Choir, Matron Auxiliary, Young Men for Christ, Inspirational Ensemble, and Nurse’s Aide.

           

The following ministers were ordained by Rev Hosea Dolphus Sr.: Rev. O.J. Dolphus, Rev. Curtis Fleming, Rev. Otis Brown, Rev. Joshua West, Rev. Aaron Branson, Jr., Rev. J.H. Hamilton, Rev. Willie Tatum, Rev. Louis Mott, Rev. Lewis, Rev. Louis Davis, and Rev. Jessie Martin, and others.

 

From April 2000 to August 2001, Rev. James Townes was interim pastor. From December 2001 to September 2004, Rev. James E. Lister was the pastor. Pastor Lister’s leadership saw several accomplishments from joining the Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church congregation in the Deep East Texas Association to constructing a new sign in the front of the church.  The old oak tree that stood in front of the church had to be removed to keep roots from growing under the church. 

           

One of Rev. Lister’s greatest accomplishments was working with the city to re-name Highlands Av. to Hosea Dolphus Sr. Av. The mayor and many civic leaders were present to recognize Rev. Hosea Dolphus’s many accomplishments to the city.

 

In May 2004, the church, through humble submission to the Lord’s will, sought the leadership of a new pastor. In May 2005, the Lord called Rev. Lonnie L. Williams to become Pastor of Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.    God truly blessed the church through 2005-2006. These renovations were made: the back restrooms were remodeled by Bro. Michael Hulett’s Family in memory of his mother, Sis. Doris Hulett.  

 

The restrooms in front entrance of the church were remodeled by Bro. Willie Booker’s Family.  Bro. Robert Sellers, Bro. Willie Davis and others were instrumental in renovating the pulpit.

 

In 2006, a new air conditioning unit was purchased. The church remodeled the kitchen and other parts of the church using grant proceeds given to churches who housed evacuees during the 2005 Hurricane Rita. The church assembled a crew and renovations were made both inside and outside of the church. The concrete slab that housed the old barbecue pit was removed, a new sidewalk was constructed on Hosea Dolphus Sr Ave., and gates were added to the property for extra security.

           

Rev. Lonnie L. Williams also led a movement to improve the living conditions of the neighborhood by addressing community concerns on the local television station and in the newspaper. Pastor Williams was instrumental in having a camera added to Brandon Park to help keep the neighborhood safe.  In June 2007, the church also launched a website.  A new church steeple was also constructed in August 2008.

           

God continued to bless Greater Shiloh. In October 2009, Rev. Rubin Ervin II was sent to Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and was installed as pastor on April 25, 2010. Under Pastor Ervin’s leadership, the church’s landscape was up-graded with new flowers and new plants.  Sis. Mildred Branson and others were instrumental in the planting the flowers.

           

In December 2013, two new vans were purchased.  Pastor Ervin was heavily involved in the local community as he and other fellow ministers sought to improve our local neighborhood.  Pastor Ervin, along with the Minister’s Alliance, completed a course with the Lufkin Police Department’s “Gang violence Prevention” Program. Under Pastor Ervin’s leadership, two members of the Deacon staff professed, before God and the congregation, their call to the ministry: Rev. Michael Hulett, Sr. and Rev. Kalvin Mattox, becoming Rev. Ervin’s sons in the ministry.

           

On June 17, 2019, God called Rev. Ervin from labor to reward.  The church was saddened by the loss of the Pastor Ervin.  After a period of mourning, the church prayed for God to send them a leader.  In December 2020, God called Rev. Brian Bass as Pastor of Greater Shiloh.  Pastor Bass is a powerful speaker and leader who is led by the Lord. He is married to Sis. Jana Bass, and they have three beautiful children, Keilan, Kayla, and Sophia Grace.  Sophia Grace was born on June 20, 2022.  The congregation was excited to welcome a new baby to the church family!

 

Under Pastor Bass’s leadership, Greater Shiloh started live streaming church services, further spreading the Word of God and going beyond church walls in 2021 as a result of the COVID 19 Pandemic.  He also established Prayer Meeting and Bible Study via conference call.  This greatly helped members and guests to still attend church services during the COVID 19 Pandemic.  Through God’s help, Pastor Bass has steered the church during the trying times of the global pandemic. 

           

New microphones and a sound system were installed in 2022.  Television screens were installed in the church sanctuary for digital display of church announcements, sick and bereaved lists, and sermons notes. The church sign outside was also restored. 

 

Having a burden to reach the world for Christ, a Media Team was created in 2022 to build a media ministry capable of spreading the Gospel through technology, heeding to the scripture: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15.

 

In 2023, further improvements were made.  The exterior of the church was restored also. The brick exterior was washed and restored, and wood trim was replaced and painted. The front steps overlayed with new tile. 

 

Additional television screens were installed in the Pastor’s Study and the Fellowship Hall.  The sidewalks were cleaned and pressure washed to further beautify the church. Ceiling fans were installed in the church sanctuary.  The carpet in the pulpit was removed to restore the original hardwood floors. Also, new hardwood flooring was installed in the Pastor’s Study, and at the front entrance of the church.  New lighting was also installed in the sanctuary.  A new ministry has been started called the “Safe Space Ministry” to help youth and young adults deal with today’s worldly questions and issues in a biblical way.  Other future ministries and improvements are planned throughout the church.

 

These are just a few additions among others that have been done.  Other improvements to beautify God’s Hours are planned in the near future, “God Willing”.  Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church has a rich history, and it continues to be the church which believes in the Word of God that “…And upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” - Matthew 16:18 KJV.