Shiloh Baptist Church
Also known as: Siloam Baptist Church
Why it's listed
Shiloh Baptist Church, at 3552 7th Avenue in Sacramento's Oak Park neighborhood, was built between 1958 and 1963 from designs by architect James C. Dodd. Its square sanctuary is turned 45 degrees to the street, so it reads as a diamond, beneath an angled roof with a clerestory, a portico, and a lighted cross on a steel tower. Walls are stucco with redwood accents, and stained glass marks the front. The congregation, formed in 1856 as Siloam Baptist, moved from downtown Sacramento as redevelopment displaced it. Pastor Willie P. Cooke and members did most of the construction work. The church is recognized for its role in the history of Sacramento's African American community and as an early Mid-Century Modern design by Dodd, the city's first licensed African American architect. A later garage and Anderson Hall on the lot do not contribute to its significance.
Significance in brief: The church is significant under Criteria A and C at the local level. It is tied to the relocation of Sacramento's African American community during the city's redevelopment era. It is also an early, defining Mid-Century Modern work by James C. Dodd, Sacramento's first licensed African American architect, and it was largely built by its pastor and congregation.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 12000376, listed July 3, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3552 7th Ave., Sacramento |
|---|---|
| County | Sacramento County |
| Listed | July 3, 2012 |
| Reference number | 12000376 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1958-1963 |
| Architect / builder | Dodd, James C., Architect; Cooke, Reverend Willie P., Builder; Warner, Joseph, Contractor/Builder |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement: Mid-Century Modernism |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Black, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a church; the form says the building retains a very high degree of historic integrity. |
| Acreage | 3.1 |
| Coordinates | 38.54436, -121.46838 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 12000376.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q126203884
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.