Shiloh Baptist Church
Why it's listed
Shiloh Baptist Church is a two-story Gothic-style brick church with limestone trim and stained glass, completed in 1923 on Mt. Vernon Avenue on Columbus's near east side. Its asymmetrical front has a central entrance with pointed-arch doors between two square towers, one holding a bell. Windows by the Von Gerichten Art Glass Studio fill the sanctuary. A large education wing, built in 2002, was designed to match the original. The congregation was founded in 1869 and is the third-oldest African-American congregation in the city. Ground was broken in 1922 under pastor James Burks, who served as construction superintendent, an unusual role for a pastor. The church survived Depression-era foreclosure, fed the hungry, sponsored missionaries in Africa, hosted national gatherings and in 1947 formed the first church-based credit union in Columbus. The neighborhood was later divided by Interstate 71, which now runs beside the church, yet the building remains a prominent presence and a symbol of the community's religious life.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues significance under Criterion A as the third-oldest African-American congregation in Columbus, founded in 1869, and as a major religious and social institution in the city's African-American community. Its activities included mission work, a community nursery school, Depression-era relief and the first church-based credit union in Columbus. The building was constructed under the direct supervision of its pastor, Rev. James H. Burks.
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 04001288, listed December 4, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 720 Mt. Vernon Ave., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | December 4, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04001288 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1922-1954 |
| Architect / builder | A.O. Day Construction Co.; Rev. James H. Burks, construction superintendent |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and early 20th century revivals (Gothic style) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Black, Religion, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a church; the congregation added a large education building in 2002 and the form says the building retains a high level of integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.97044, -82.98171 (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 04001288.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7496717
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.