Historic Shiloh Methodist

Inman UMC is the caretaker of the historic Shiloh Methodist Church located in Inman, SC. Being the oldest church building in Spartanburg County, several local churches trace their roots back to the Shiloh Church. 

In about 1786, a group of worshipers began gathering for outdoor services in what is now Inman, SC. They called themselves Shiloh Church, and some of the first circuit riders in American history, including Bishop Francis Asbury, came through to preach and minister to them. 

We know that they eventually built a church of hand-hewn logs, which burned down. Between 1825 and 1831, the congregants erected a new one-room house of worship on a three-acre site off what is now Blackstock Road. Over the years, Shiloh became the mother church of several nearby churches, Methodist and other denominations as well. In 1915, the last 14 members closed the church and transferred their membership to Inman Methodist, now Inman United Methodist Church. 

Though the remaining members closed the doors of the old church, it was left standing, and is now the oldest surviving church building in Spartanburg County. It is also the only remaining church in the county that was never wired for electricity. The old candle stands are still on the walls and the original pews also remain in place. They are rather primitive — unpainted, unvarnished, and morticed together with pegs, yet sturdy, leaving them inviting and stubbornly beautiful. 

The adjacent cemetery contains one gravestone marked 1816, indicating that worshipers were gathering at this particular spot by then. The cemetery also holds many undated and even unmarked graves, some possibly older than 1816. A number of Civil War soldiers are buried here as well. Across the graveyard, stands an outhouse that was reconstructed in 2018.

In 2005, Shiloh was added to the National Register of Historic Sites and remains in the care of Inman UMC who maintains the building and grounds as close to original conditions as possible.

At least two services are held in the historic Shiloh Church each year.  These services allow opportunity to worship, to bow your head in the same pews, and to share in the same traditions as those that witnessed historical events such as the Revolutionary War, the Second Great Awakening, the end of slavery, the first automobiles, and the first World War.  It is a uniquely holy and moving experience. 

Each spring, Inman UMC holds a community “homecoming” service at Shiloh, as well as a candlelight service every Christmas Eve.  It is an experience you don’t want to miss!