Henry Norval Jeter (1851-1938) was born into slavery in Virginia. He became the pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in 1875, and published this church history in 1901.

Reverend Edmond Kelley, a preacher and church organizer, founded Shiloh Baptist Church in Newport, R.I. on May 10, 1864. The small group of members first met in the home of Esther Brinley and soon moved into the Seventh Day Baptist Church, where they remained for five years. In 1868, they purchased their own church building, which they used for services, Sunday school, prayer meetings, and other committee meetings and events. In 1894, during Jeter's tenure, there was an internal conflict between Pastor Jeter and some church members. In an attempt at reconciliation, Jeter offered to resign, but withdrew his resignation at the vehement request of the church members.

This history of Shiloh Baptist Church chronicles its origins, pastors, special members and events, donors, and programs. It mentions the church's architectural history and provides short biographical sketches of each pastor and several prominent church affiliates. The constitution is included in its entirety, as are lists of original members and some correspondence relating to the controversy the church experienced.

Work Consulted: Clark, Edward, Black Writers in New England: A Bibliography, with Biographical Notes, of Books by and about Afro-American Writers Associated with New England in the Collection of Afro-American literature, Suffolk University, Museum of Afro-American History, Boston. African American National Historic Site, Boston: National Park Service, 1985.

Monique Prince