New London in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Shiloh Baptist Church
Black Heritage Trail
| | City of New London | |
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, Sept 2023
1. Shiloh Baptist Church Marker
Shiloh Baptist Church is New London's oldest historically Black church. Founded in 1894, its roots go back to the 1880s, when worshipers gathered in storefronts, homes and meeting halls, including 66 Hempstead Street. The church moved into a newly constructed church on High Street in 1905.
In 1937, Shiloh hired Rev. Albert Garvin, the pastor of Walls Temple AME Zion Church. Under Garvin's leadership, Shiloh purchased the vacant jail on High Street in 1958. As Bishop Benjamin Watts said during the church's 125th anniversary celebration, "A place that used to incarcerate now every day helps to liberate." High Street was renamed Garvin Street in 1992.
During the Civil Rights Movement, Shiloh hosted meetings of the New London branch of the NAACP and worked with it to advance racial equality. In the twenty-first century, Shiloh conducts prison and recovery ministries, operates a scholarship program and hosts the annual Martin Luther King Day service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1958.
Location. 41° 21.281′ N, 72° 6.167′ W. Marker is in New London in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is on Garvin Street south of
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline and in the Thames River Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 73 Hempstead Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 66 Hempstead Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Haley Houses & Racial Diversity (about 300 feet away); State of Connecticut Superior Court (about 400 feet away); Industry (about 500 feet away); Stephen Hempstead (about 600 feet away); Adam Jackson (about 800 feet away); Hempsted Houses (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New London.
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, Sept 2023
2. Shiloh Baptist Church
Originally constructed as the New London County jail in 1845 with the Second Empire jailer's house constructed between 1864-68. The marker is at the sidewalk to the left in this picture.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 6, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
