When the congregation at Middleburg's Shiloh Baptist Church celebrates the church's 140th anniversary next month, Pastor Herman Nelson will officiate at four days of thanks and celebration September 19th through the 23rd.

"Our church is one of the great blessings of this community," Pastor Nelson explained. It was established by freed slaves in 1867, just two years after the end of the Civil War and, like many Middleburg churches, it originated in the Middleburg Baptist Church. The fellowship we share with the Middleburg community and its pastors is priceless. We are so grateful for that fellowship and it excites me about the promise of our future."

Pastor Nelson's distinguished bearing and deep sense of mission is inspirational and reflects his career as an officer in the Air Force. When he retired twenty-one years ago as a Lieutenant Colonel and was called to the ministry, he was invited to Shiloh Baptist Church to take a position as interim pastor. He stayed to lead the congregation for twenty-one years.

"When I arrived, this church was, and still is, a very viable member of the community," he recalled. "Although time and circumstance create ebbs and flows, we are now growing again and the only obstacle in our paths is ourselves and our sins."

Deaconess Elizabeth Washington Wallace is beginning the process of applying for National Historic Preservation status for Shiloh Baptist Church. "We hope to complete the process during the next year," she explained.

In describing the challenges the church has faced during his tenure, Pastor Nelson emphasized that there is nothing that can't be overcome or accomplished with God's help.

"Middleburg, and our members have gone through a profound transformation during the life of our church, but it is clear that we can do all the things we are called to do," he continued, "because, in Christ, all things are possible."

Many families whose history is linked to Shiloh Baptist Church are well represented in the membership. Organized by a young preacher named Leland Warring at the home of the late Deacon Peter Tibbs, Shiloh has had only nine pastors in its entire history. The church was relocated to 304 East Marshall Street in Middleburg in 1913 and has been active at that site every since.

The church membership was active in Civil Rights and politics and has always been committed to the betterment of education for African-American children. Many of the descendants of the original founder families have become, and now are, leading members of the Middleburg business community.

Recently, Mayor Betsy Davis conveyed the Town's congratulations and best wishes to the Shiloh members in a resolution passed by the Town Council acknowledging the Church's important historical and spiritual contribution to the Middleburg Community.

"We are extremely proud of the Church's heritage and its significance in the greater Middleburg community," she stated.

Pastor Nelson spoke eloquently about his gratitude to the Middleburg's mayors, Shiloh's neighbors and the many benefactors who have helped the church and its members over the years.

"Our members have established themselves in trade, education, travel and many other professions," he explained. "Without the support of God, the town and the fellowship of our community pastors, we could not have achieved as much for our members."

"Everyone is invited to our 140th anniversary celebrations," Pastor Nelson said. "We'll begin on September 19th; something is planned every day and we'll conclude with 11 a.m. worship on Sunday, September 23rd."