The oldest church in the city is the Spring Street Church, Rev. L. J.
Green’s church, but the Sixteenth Street, Sixth Avenue, and Shiloh
Churches are the most influential churches. The Sixteenth Street
Church was organized in 1873, it appears, and her pastors appear in
the following order: Revs. J. Readon, W. Reed, A. C. Jackson, W. R.
Pettiford, and T. L. Jordan. In a property point of view they owe much
to Rev. A. C. Jackson, under whom they obtained the present church
lot, three other lots, and a small frame building, say about $5,000.
This $4,000 or $5,000 went toward the erection of their brick edifice,
erected under the pastorate of Rev. W. R. Pettiford. They owe about
$3,000 on their building, the payment of which has been much hindered
by the scarcity of money. In all the most progressive plans of gospel
work in this section, this church has led the way; and their advance
on these lines is chiefly due to the presence of Dr. Pettiford and the
missionary ladies. The Sixth Avenue Church is the next to appear. Its
pastors have been: Revs. Silas Jones, T. W. Walker, J. W. White. They
have recently offered the pastoral charge to Rev. J. Q. A. Wilhite, who
is expected to assume management this month (May, 1895). They are in
debt also.
The church that is the marvel of the city is the Shiloh, under Rev.
T. W. Walker. This church was organized May 3, 1891, as the result of
preaching service supported by a society known as the “Christian Relief
Association.” They now have the smallest debt, the largest house and
the largest congregation in the city. Often when 1,200 or 1,500 people
are in the house, a good part of the street is full of persons who are
anxious to approach near enough to hear. Of course the pastor is the
source and center of this successful church, but he has been fortunate
in drawing about him some very business-like as well as very agreeable
people. The following anniversary program, etc., will give an idea of
the church’s operations and system. (This program, with facts like it,
is given for its suggestiveness):