Because   of   recent   flooding,   several   buildings   in   Alderson   have   met the   criteria   for   demolition.   Shiloh   Baptist   Church   and   the   church   hall are   two   of   these.   The   town   realize   the   historical   significance   of   the buildings   and   do   not   want   to   see   either   just   torn   down,      but   the   halls issues   are   life   safety. There   has   been   work   with   SHPO,   State   Historic Preservation   Officers,   and   the   Jones   family   since   2016   to   try   and   get help to save the building, but apparently not going anywhere.

After   emancipation,   more   recognizable   and   formal   churches   were   possible.   One   such   church   is   Shiloh Baptist   Church   in   Alderson,   WV   which   was   built   in   1879   specifically   for   African   Americans.   Others include   John   Wesley   Methodist   Church   and   Mt.   Tabor   Baptist   Church   in   Lewisburg   each   of   which   have unique and illustrious histories. Shiloh   played   a   large   role   in   the   West   Virginia   Baptist   Convention   and   hosted   a   statewide   meeting   in   the 1890s,   1909,   and   again   in   1915.   Their   pastor,   Reverend   C.   N.   Harris,   was   elected   president   of   the Baptist   Association   of   West   Virginia   in   1914.   The   church   served   as   an   important   religious   and   social center   in   Alderson.   Located   above   the   social   hall,   which   is   next   door   to   the   church,   the   Grand   United Order   of   Odd   Fellows   provided   social   insurance   and   opportunities   for   leadership   to   the African American community. For those who do not know, Shiloh means “Peace”. These   churches   and   several   others   in   the   Greenbrier   Valley   became   a   place   of   refuge   for   African Americans    where    they    were    free    to    worship    and    socialize    and    build    a    community    of    strength    as Christians. They continue to be a main focal point in the community for African Americans. Mrs.   Opal   Jones,   long   time   member   of   Shiloh   Baptist   Church   in   Alderson,   said,   “The   churches   in   the Greenbrier   Valley   were   very   important.   Church   was   the   first   avenue,   besides   home,   where   you   received instruction   on   how   to   conduct   yourself,   your   manners,   and   how   to   treat   others.   It   was   a   primary   source of   socialization   and   education.   Black   teachers   were   usually   Sunday   School   teachers   and   had   added influence on the children’s learning." Change   for   the   sake   of   change   can   be   either   good   or   bad.   But   change   with   nothing   good   to   replace   it, leaves an empty space. Aren’t there enough of those is Alderson

A Little History

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