EASTON, Pa. — A cornerstone of Easton’s religious and community spirit will celebrate its 120th anniversary this weekend, honoring decades of faith and philanthropy.
Greater Shiloh Church of Easton will hold a community expo and a special combined service with keynote speaker Geoffrey Golden, who won the seventh season of BET's "Sunday Best" gospel singing competition.
Greater Shiloh, at 403 Pastor Fred Davis St., began its life in the Lehigh Valley in 1904 as an African American Baptist house of worship.
Over the years, it has opened its doors to an even broader community, and branched out to Stroudsburg, Haiti and the rest of the world on its online platform.
Pastor Brandon Sardik said the festivities began Wednesday with a history lesson and continued to Friday with a worship night with “elements of prayer and inspiring music.”
This weekend will feature two days of events intended to encourage the community to join in the church’s commemoration
“On Saturday, we want to give back to the community through a community Expo, where we provide space for a yard sale," Sardik said.
"And then also we have our community partners coming and sharing information that will educate the community around financial empowerment, nutrition empowerment and physical fitness, trying to get as much education as possible.”
The expo will run from noon to 4 p.m. at the church.
Singer's drive, church's connect
Sunday’s service will feature Golden, who was voted the winner of "Sunday Best" at the age of 20.
Golden has since released several albums, including 2015's "Kingdom...LIVE!," which hit No. 4 on the Gospel Albums chart, and 2017’s “Glorious God,” featuring the Howard University Gospel Choir.
His single "All of My Help" hit No. 18 on the Gospel Digital Songs chart.
Golden, with a bachelor’s degree in economics, plans to expand his studies to get a master’s degree in public policy, with a goal of enacting public policy to change the relationship between young men of color and their relationship to law enforcement and other institutions of power.
"So from seniors to middle-age to teens, over the last 120 years, this community has been impacted tremendously by Greater Shiloh Church."Greater Shiloh Church of Easton Pastor Brandon Sardik
That drive to connect with and help the people of the local community fits perfectly with the mission of Greater Shiloh, Sardik said.
He said the church has touched the lives of generations throughout its history.
“It's very rare to have a church that's been in existence for 120 years, more specifically, a thriving church in existence for 120 years," Sardik said.
"Greater Shiloh, or Shiloh Baptist Church, the original name… when you think of that church, you go back 80 years, you'll see Shiloh Baptist Church’s imprint on the Easton community.
"Sixty years, you see the same exact thing. Twenty years, you see the same exact thing when you come onto our church campus.
"So from seniors to middle-age to teens, over the last 120 years, this community has been impacted tremendously by Greater Shiloh Church.
"And we’re just so grateful to be able to be a part of something that's thriving, not just for a small period of time, but over more than a century.”
'Asset to the entire community'
Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone, who has been a member of the church since his teen years, said Greater Shiloh has done extraordinary things to lift the community over the years.
"They are a true asset to the entire community.”Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone
That includes providing computer programming classes — which earned learners certification in a programming language and a computer, as well.
It also includes the church's food pantry, emergency homeless shelter, to their numerous housing initiatives.
In fact, Pintabone said his drive to spearhead community projects has been inspired by the likes of Pastor Fred Davis and Pastor Phillip Davis, and kept alive by the entire team and congregation of Greater Shiloh.
“So it's been an absolute pleasure to be a member of Shiloh," Pintabone said. "It's been a pleasure to be a resident dealing with Shiloh.
"It's been a pleasure to be a school board president interacting with Shiloh, and now a council member working with Shiloh. They are a true asset to the entire community.”
