The Launch
After much prayer and deliberation, they accepted the call and the Shiloh Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, Inc. was launched in the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The Church was initially established at a little storefront on 1354 State Street. It remained at the State Street address for 18 months and then moved to the present location – 475 Charles Street.
There was a conversion process in dismantling the existing house and transforming it into a church; putting in doors and knocking down walls to slowly transform the space into the home of the Shiloh Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, Inc. (Shiloh).
In those early years the brethren were comprised of people who came from different backgrounds and cultures to support the church in Bridgeport. The Lord Jesus blessed and the church grew rapidly. Many were baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost.
The first ever annual church convention brought in saints from England, Canada, Jamaica and various cities from around the United States. Over the course of the decades, many church leaders were molded and equipped for leadership through the worship experience and inspiration gained from Shiloh. Many apostolic churches were delivered into very capable hands of leadership. Shiloh Apostolic Church had become a “flagship” church.
The Lord continued to bless tremendously and the church continued to grow. The Lord performed many miracles of healing and deliverance for his people, the healing and deliverance emanated through God’s anointed vessels at Shiloh.
In subsequent years Bishop Skyers connected with various church leaders in the New York, New Jersey and New England areas and even to the mid-west as far as Chicago, IL to plant churches and appoint capable leaders to serve God’s people. Shiloh also extended into the Bronx, NY; Brooklyn, NY; Boston, MA; New Haven, CT and enjoyed a vibrant nationwide fellowship as a member church with the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. (PCAF)
The first ever annual church convention brought in saints from England, Canada, Jamaica and various cities from around the United States. Over the course of the decades, many church leaders were molded and equipped for leadership through the worship experience and inspiration gained from Shiloh. Many apostolic churches were delivered into very capable hands of leadership. Shiloh Apostolic Church had become a “flagship” church.
The Lord continued to bless tremendously and the church continued to grow. The Lord performed many miracles of healing and deliverance for his people, the healing and deliverance emanated through God’s anointed vessels at Shiloh.
In subsequent years Bishop Skyers connected with various church leaders in the New York, New Jersey and New England areas and even to the mid-west as far as Chicago, IL to plant churches and appoint capable leaders to serve God’s people. Shiloh also extended into the Bronx, NY; Brooklyn, NY; Boston, MA; New Haven, CT and enjoyed a vibrant nationwide fellowship as a member church with the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. (PCAF)
In Connecticut, in the 1980s Shiloh extended to the Stamford, CT community of believers. The Stamford location was eventually placed under to local leadership of Pastor Monica Myers. The church in Stamford flourished and the brethren frequented both locations regularly. In Stamford services were often standing room only.
It is plain to see that over the decades Bishop Skyers and Pastor Skyers have travelled all over the east coast to minister and fellowship with The Lord’s people. Amid torrential rains, snow storms and frigid temperatures they have continued to carry on. Pastor Skyers says “Through all weather conditions the Lord kept us!” “Having therefore obtained help of God we continue on to this day…” Acts 26:22.
The SCEPTER television ministry commenced in the late 1980s. It was Shiloh’s cable-access lease-time television slot that aired locally. The television program was the result of the tireless efforts of the brethren at Shiloh. Shiloh’s own saints and volunteers completed the groundwork for the church services to be aired weekly at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. The services aired locally and allowed many local neighbors and friends to enjoy the worship services with from their living rooms. In those days it was not uncommon for a stranger to remark that “I saw you on TV!”
The SCEPTRE was also launched in the 1980s. The SCEPTRE was Shiloh’s self -published micro magazine that was issued quarterly. The SCEPTRE highlighted the writings of Bishop Skyers, Pastor Skyers and various members of the Shiloh family.
Simultaneously with the television and magazine; and for more than a decade Shiloh operated a food pantry that was a Godsend for many member of our community. Shiloh was an official site in Bridgeport for the Connecticut Food Bank. Weekly, the saints at Shiloh packed and bagged up hundreds of pounds of groceries for distribution to our neighbors and those in need.
God ordained Shiloh to be a blessing in Bridgeport!
In the early 1990s Shiloh started a bible school. It was a great association and affiliation with Christian International. The inception of the school was for the purpose of empowering the brethren in the workings of the Holy Spirit and the five-fold ministry. A large portion of the congregation in both Bridgeport and Stamford enrolled and were taught, tutored and encouraged to go deeper in their knowledge of God’s word and their spirituality. This was school. The saints were tested and assessed by Christian International and were encouraged to regularly engage with the staff at Christian International. More recently, Shiloh has initiated a self-contained bible training program, the Empowerment Bible Class; with in-house testing and in-house graduation and completion awards.
Shiloh has always enjoyed great fellowships with local and international ministries. It has always been blessed to engage in fellowship with dozens of other churches of the diaspora. Moreover, Shiloh’s affiliation with PCAF paved the way for domestic travel to conventions and councils from California to Louisiana, from Texas to Mississippi and other states across the USA. Shiloh is blessed to have cultivated longstanding church friendships and fellowships that have emerged over the decades.
During decades of ministry, Shiloh has orchestrated diverse opportunities and programs. In addition to worshipping within its walls Shiloh consistently endeavored to regularly leave the comfort zone. The Youth Department has enjoyed Retreats and Outdoor Camping. On one memorable camping trip, the youth connected in a vibrant way, enjoying early morning prayer, games and the challenge of other outdoor activities. The days culminated with worship services.
Shiloh has sponsored annual youth picnics for many years at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, CT, at Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, CT and at various parks in Bridgeport, CT.
More recently, Shiloh initiated the church expansion. It was necessary to push the walls back and expand the sanctuary. The previous worship space had to undergo a change. The present worship space is the result of a blessed remodeling effort. Within the last couple of years Shiloh was blessed to finally install its Fellowship Hall. Shiloh is proud to regularly host the brethren for snacks, meals, refreshments and relaxation in the very comfortable Fellowship Hall facility.
The Fellowship Hall is the warm intimate setting where the Annual Saints’ Appreciation banquet is held. The Saints’ Appreciation banquet has been commenced for the purpose of celebrating the individual efforts of the dedicated brethren who labor in Shiloh’s vineyard. The Saints’ Appreciation banquet is such a love-filled event. During the banquet, Bishop and Pastor Skyers award each participant a personal token of appreciation and love.
