Pastor's Bio

Once again, in 1990, Shiloh was without a pastor. After much prayer, Shiloh called its sixth pastor in 128 years, the Reverend Wallace Charles Smith. The Reverend Smith, an energetic young man, filled with the spirit and strength of the faith, came ready to prepare his new flock for the new millennium. He brought with him energy, excitement and a great zeal for the preached word. Only the Lord knew that these strengths would be put to the test in a few short months.

In November of 1991, only five months after his arrival, the Reverend Smith and the congregation faced an unforeseen crisis. During the annual Henry Booker Organ recital, the church erupted in smoke and flames. Everyone was safely evacuated, however, the building suffered extensive damage and could not be used. But praise be to God, services never ceased and worship was never interrupted. Services were held in the gymnasium of the Henry C. Gregory, III Family Life Center.

Under the leadership and guidance of the Reverend Smith, Shiloh rebuilt on the comer of Ninth and P Streets N.W. The newly rebuilt Shiloh is a visible testimony of God's grace and mercy, for out of the ashes has risen a thing of beauty. Shiloh continues to be a beacon of light and hope in the Shaw community. On March 15, 1998, we followed our pastor as he led us into the newly built church, where we continued our commission of calling souls to Christ to lead them out of the darkness into the light.