Our History

Shiloh United Methodist Church is believed to be the oldest church in what is now the Northern Piedmont district of the Western North Carolina Conference of the UMC (United Methodist Church). It was established in 1790 by some members of the Julian Family—Hannah Julian, her son Jesse, and his wife Sarah—and was organized out of a strong faith and a deeply religious nature. It was not founded as a memorial to the Julian family but rather from the motive of pure hearts seeking to nourish their own children as well as neighboring families. It was available to all the community as a place of worship and fellowship.

As best we can determine, there have been four houses of worship used by this congregation—beginning as a humble log structure, through some plain wooden buildings, and ending with what is the current sanctuary in 1906. During the years, improvements and additions were made to the structures and we now see the results in our current “plant” of brick veneer sanctuary plus Education Building/Fellowship Hall. 

During its history, Shiloh has been assigned to various Circuits, Charges and Districts within the Western North Carolina Conference. God has supplied approximately 150 pastors to serve us, some having been here for more than one term.

As we begin our 233rd year, we are anxious to see what our individual and collective “assignments” from God will be. He has used this body of believers for many years to help build His Kingdom. There is no reason to believe He won’t continue His work through us—if we continue to trust Him.