Galveston in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Shiloh A. M. E. Church

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 13, 2024

1. Shiloh A. M. E. Church Marker

Inscription. One of oldest churches in Galveston. Congregation was organized before 1870, when former Galvestonian Henry H. Brower sold this church site to the Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church. Purchase was made through Brower's agent, Nahor B. Yard.

Acting for the church were Trustees Peter Burns, William Davis, and Solomon Reily. The churchmen of 1870 represented a hopeful ethnic group. With faith in their God and with modest funds, Shiloh members paid off $500 in debts on their property by 1877. An 1894 hurricane destroyed house that was considered the original church. Led by the Rev. Warren, members erected a small new frame building. However, in the visitation of the great Galveston storm of 1900, this was destroyed. Again the members struggled and, under the Rev. D. Reese, built another sanctuary, which served until razed in 1922. Present $36,000 structure was erected in 1923.

Nine ministers have begun sacred labors in this church. Shiloh's leadership at start of its second century includes the Rt. Rev. O. L. Sherman, presiding bishop; Dr. Leland W. Jenkins, presiding elder; the Rev. David F.

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Harris, pastor.

Erected 1971 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7184.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 29° 17.725′ N, 94° 47.871′ W. Marker is in Galveston, Texas, in Galveston County. It is at the intersection of 29th Street and Avenue M, on the right when traveling north on 29th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1310 29th St, Galveston TX 77550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 13, 2024

2. Shiloh A. M. E. Church Marker

of this marker: West Point Baptist Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Public Education for Blacks in Galveston (about 800 feet away); Holy Rosary Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Avenue L Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jack Johnson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hutchings House (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Hutchings House (approx. ¼ mile away); Galveston Garten Verein (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galveston.

More about this marker. It was the first state historical marker about an African American church to be erected in Texas.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 202 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 24, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.