Church celebrates history going back to 1870s

Thursday, November 5, 2009

It may only be nine years since the beginning of the United Missionary Baptist Church, but it's origins date back to the late 1800s.

Nine years ago, Mount Zion Baptist Church and Shiloh Baptist Church merged to form the United Missionary Baptist Church due to a decline in membership at both churches. To celebrate the merger, United Missionary Baptist Church, 16 N. Ransom, will be holding a special service at 3 p.m. Sunday. The service will include a guest speaker as well as a guest choir from the Neosho Valley District.

The Shiloh Baptist Church was formed by John Bowley in 1870 just after the Civil War when former slaves gathered to worship on the side of the Plaza Hill just east of Ransom Street. The church began as a one-room box house, and became a two-story building by 1978. Tragedy struck the church on Jan. 30, 1978, when 75 percent of the building was destroyed by a fire. Through the help of members of the congregation, the building was soon rebuilt.

Mount Zion Baptist Church began in 1890 when a group of members from Shiloh Baptist Church separated. The first meeting place was the Old Redman's Hall, where the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is currently located. The church them moved to the corner of First Street in 1893. Later in 1975, an explosion destroyed the whole church. After two more relocation efforts, the church settled on the corner of Fifth and Barbee streets.

As a result of the merger, the building being used by the Shiloh Baptist Church was modified to accommodate both congregations and is now the place of worship for United Missionary Baptist Church.