HONORING SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

On 2026-10-15, Representative Cleo Fields (D-LA-6) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH" in the House.

HONORING SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 161 (Thursday, October 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 161 (Thursday, October 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1091-E1092] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH ______ HON. CLEO FIELDS of louisiana in the house of representatives Thursday, October 15, 2026 Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, located in Alexandria, Louisiana. Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, traces its origins to March 29, 1863, [[Page E1092]] when approximately 50 formerly enslaved people gathered in the yard of the Price, Birch & Company slave pen at 1315 Duke Street to form the Old Shiloh Society, later known as Shiloh Baptist Church. At the time, the slave pen was under Union control and served as a prison for Confederate deserters; its yard was repurposed as a hospital for Black Union soldiers and a sanctuary for freed men, women, and children seeking safety and dignity during the turmoil of the Civil War. Out of this place of suffering, perseverance, and newfound possibility, a congregation was born--one that would go on to shape the religious and civic life of Alexandria for generations. The early members of Shiloh first met in a U.S. Government mess hall located on the grounds of L'Ouverture Hospital, where wounded Black Union soldiers and contraband civilians were housed. When the mess hall was replaced by a nearby barracks, the congregation worshipped there until the structure was destroyed by fire. Undeterred, the growing church continued meeting in the Staunton School as a temporary worship space. Under the leadership of Rev. Leland Warring--a formerly enslaved man, teacher, and Baptist minister--the church grew steadily over more than two decades. Rev. Warring shepherded the congregation through Reconstruction and beyond, helping to establish Shiloh as a cornerstone institution for newly freed African Americans navigating their first years of liberty. On September 26, 1865, the congregation dedicated its first frame church building on West Street near Duke Street. Although this structure was destroyed by fire in 1872, Shiloh continued worshipping in various locations and ultimately built a permanent edifice. Surviving church minutes from the 1890s offer a glimpse into the congregation's early character, including the memorable notation: ``No clapping in the church.'' What began as a modest gathering during wartime evolved into a permanent spiritual home, one that provided stability, fellowship, and collective strength. As one of the earliest Black Baptist congregations in Alexandria-- alongside First, Second (Beulah), and Fourth Baptist churches--Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church quickly became a central institution in the African; American community. Through Sabbath schools, worship services, community support, and social ministry, Shiloh offered not only spiritual nourishment but also education, mutual aid, and leadership at a time when African Americans faced legal, social, and political barriers. The congregation's history is inseparable from the broader narrative of Alexandria's Civil War and Reconstruction eras, reflecting the resilience, self-determination, and vision of newly freed people who sought to build stable and empowered communities. Equally important is Shiloh's longstanding commitment to community service and civic engagement--a cornerstone of its ministry from the 19th century to the present day. From its earliest years, the church functioned not only as a religious institution but as a gathering place where African Americans could organize, support one another, and cultivate leaders. Throughout the 20th century, Shiloh played a meaningful role in the advancement of education, civil rights awareness, family support, and neighborhood stability. Its ministries provided encouragement in times of hardship, assistance to families in need, and programs that strengthened community bonds. Whether through youth development, outreach to the underserved, participation in local initiatives, or partnerships with civic organizations, Shiloh consistently demonstrated that faith must be lived out in service to others. Today, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church remains a vibrant and enduring presence in Alexandria. Its ministry honors a legacy forged by men and women who gathered in the shadow of a slave pen yet envisioned a future defined by fellowship, hope, and self-governance. As a living part of Alexandria's heritage, Shiloh continues its mission to uplift its community spiritually, socially, and culturally--preserving its role as a steadfast spiritual anchor and a powerful example of service, resilience, and faith in action. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church's enduring legacy. ____________________