Brewster Homes in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Greater Shiloh Baptist Church

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 5, 2021

1. Greater Shiloh Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1881 by the Reverend John Wills, this is Detroit’s second-oldest African-American Baptist congregation. Carlos N. Stokes, an African-American draftsman, designed the church in 1920. Although his plans were modified two years later by the Detroit architectural firm W. W. Ahlschlager, Inc., the basic composition and form designed by Stokes were implemented. During the summer of 1926 the Reverend Robert B. James led a march from the Eastern Market to the new church in celebration of the first service in the new sanctuary. In 1935 when the church was slated for demolition to make way for the Brewster project, the Reverend Solomon Ross (1886-1968) fought successfully to save it. During the Depression, Shiloh fed the hungry and sponsored adult education classes.

Erected 1994 by Bureau of Michigan History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1617.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 42° 20.919′ N, 83° 3.018′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Brewster Homes. Marker is at the intersection

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of Benton Street and West Street, on the left when traveling east on Benton Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 557 Benton St, Detroit MI 48201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brewster Homes (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alpha House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Detroit Urban League (approx. ¼ mile away); Friendship Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Recreation Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sacred Heart Parish (approx. 0.3 miles away); American Academy of Pediatrics (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Detroit Medical College (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Also see . . . Proposed Greather Shiloh Baptist Church Historic Distric. Application for historic district status filed with the City of Detroit (Submitted on May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 5, 2021

2. Greater Shiloh Baptist Church Marker

View from Benton Street

Greater Shiloh Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 5, 2021

3. Greater Shiloh Baptist Church

Front of church from West Street

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 331 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.