LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the First
Shiloh Baptist Church

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and Nation to pay tribute
to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to the
ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
100th Anniversary of the First Shiloh Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, The First Shiloh Baptist Church was established in the Elli-
cott District, also known as the Fifth Ward, on October 1st, 1916; the
church originated from an assembly of 12 people who met for prayer meet-
ings in the home of Hattie Causey at 25 Union Street; and
WHEREAS, The first Pastor, Reverend Fredrick Edmunds, successfully
increased membership, and in November of 1917, the church was formally
incorporated as the First Shiloh Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, In November of the following year, the congregation called on
the Reverend Elijah J. Echols, who accepted the invitation and served as
Pastor of the First Shiloh Baptist Church for more than 40 years; and
WHEREAS, During Reverend Elijah J. Echols' time at the First Shiloh
Baptist Church, the congregation moved to Cedar Street in May of 1921,
which served as the home of the congregation for the next 45 years; the
Reverend also ordained numerous ministers during his service, all of
whom were instrumental in the success of the church; and
WHEREAS, After the passing of Reverend Echols, Sr., his son, Reverend
Echols, Jr., was elected as pastor of the First Shiloh Baptist Church;
he was formally installed in March of 1962; during the Reverend's time
as pastor, on August 9, 1964, the church broke ground on its current
residence; and
WHEREAS, After 22 years of steadfast and unwavering service to his
church, Reverend Echols, Jr. passed away on March 30, 1984, leaving
behind a legacy of a nationally recognized church with 27 boards, clubs,
and auxiliaries; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Timothy Careathers served as the fourth pastor of
the First Shiloh Baptist Church for a year and a half before Reverend
Leslie D. Braxton was elected on June 17, 1988; under her leadership,
five people were ordained and licensed to gospel ministry; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, during this time the First Shiloh Housing Devel-
opment Corporation came to fruition, as well as the First Shiloh Chris-
tian High School, which opened in 1998, as the first Afro-Centric
Comprehensive Christian High School in Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Artis McKinley Royal was then elected as the sixth
pastor of the First Shiloh Baptist Church in December of 2000; he was
instrumental in implementing new church mission and vision statements,
setting the tone for enhancing and creating new ministries; and
WHEREAS, The seventh and current pastor of the First Shiloh Baptist
Church, Reverend Jonathan R. Staples, accepted the congregation's call
in October of 2006; he holds a bachelor's degree from Stanford Universi-
ty, as well as a Masters of Divinity from Princeton; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Pastor Jonathan R. Staples,
new ministries have been initiated, a van has been purchased, and
several building improvement projects have been successful; addi-
tionally, four people have been ordained to the ministry of Word and
Sacrament, as well as four new Deacons and three Deaconesses; and

WHEREAS, The First Shiloh Baptist Church stands on the threshold of
tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while
retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the First Shiloh Baptist Church;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Jonathan R. Staples, the First Shiloh Baptist
Church, Buffalo, New York.