“Sometimes you need to be like Jesus, not like the church. Bring your whole self to your faith.”

– Rev. Aaron Dobynes1

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Eyaya Fletcher in Conversation with Reverend Aaron Dobynes, 3 December 2023

Rev. Dr. Aaron Dobynes – Background and Education

Rev. Dr. Aaron L. Dobynes, Sr. is the Senior Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He has served in this role since June 1, 2014. (Shiloh Old Site)

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Alabama

Master of Divinity, Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University

Doctor of Ministry, United Theological Seminary

Ph.D., Union Institute & University (United Theological Seminary)

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Early Ministry

Rev. Dobynes was licensed to preach at the age of 15. Reflecting on his early calling, he shared: “My calling to preach came early, but I understood that ministry was a lifelong journey of growth and service.”

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Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) – Historical Role

“If Jesus was about uplifting the least, the last, the lost, the locked up, and the locked out — shouldn’t the church be about that too?

– Rev. Aaron Dobynes2

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Founding

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Founded in 1854 by African American congregants who separated from the integrated Fredericksburg Baptist Church. (Shiloh Old Site History)

Pages of The History of Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist Church were scanned from the title at the Fredericksburg Branch Library Virginiana Room: https://librarypoint.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S72C67819

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Civil War Era

During the Battle of Fredericksburg, the church building was repurposed as a Union hospital. Rev. Dobynes emphasizes: “Shiloh has stood through war, segregation, and injustice. We are still standing because God is faithful.”6

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Civil Rights Engagement

Walker-Grant High School Graduation (1950): When Black students at Walker-Grant High School were told they could only access the city’s Community Center through a side door for their graduation, the community and students resisted. Shiloh hosted the graduation instead. Rev. Dobynes reflects: “This was a place where our people could walk through the front door with dignity.”

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Historical Leadership:

Rev. Dr. Lawrence A. Davies served as pastor for 50 years and was Fredericksburg’s first Black mayor.

Rev. B.H. Hester organized efforts for education and voter rights.
Rev. Dobynes remarks on their leadership: “Our foremothers and forefathers fought battles not only in the streets but also from the pulpit.”7

Link : Read “Neutral on Nothing: The Social Activism of the Rev. B. H. Hester” by Bridgewater,
Pamela E.

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“The Black church made mistakes. We had to unlearn sexism, unlearn homophobia. We had to grow.”

– Rev. Aaron Dobynes8

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Rev. Dobynes’ Theological and Social Justice Vision

  • On Ministry: “Preaching is not about performance; it’s about proclaiming hope to hurting people.”
  • On Justice: “We are called to be a voice for the voiceless and a light in dark places.”
  • On Serving the Community: “Faith must have feet. It has to move beyond Sunday morning into the streets where people are hurting.”

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Mission and Vision for the Future of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site)

Rev. Dr. Dobynes envisions Shiloh as a dynamic force for both spiritual growth and social transformation, committed to the following pillars:

Mission Focus:

  • Community Empowerment: “Our church must serve as a beacon of hope for our community, providing resources, guidance, and spiritual strength.”
  • Youth Engagement and Leadership Development: Shiloh seeks to equip young people with the tools to lead in faith and justice, empowering them to address societal issues with compassion and action.

Justice and Advocacy:
Shiloh continues to stand at the forefront of civil rights, economic justice, and racial equality. Rev. Dobynes often emphasizes: “The church cannot just be a place of worship; it must be a sanctuary for justice and an advocate for the marginalized.”

Social Outreach Programs:
Under Rev. Dobynes’ leadership, Shiloh’s future initiatives will focus on mental health, education, and prison reform. He has expressed: “We must be the change we want to see, reaching out to heal and uplift the most vulnerable in our society.”

Support for the Incarcerated and Those Affected by the Prison System:
Rev. Dobynes speaks passionately about the church’s commitment to providing support for individuals incarcerated and those impacted by the prison system. He stresses the importance of seeing the face of Jesus in everyone, including those in prison, acknowledging that many individuals end up in prison due to systemic issues like race and poverty. The church’s prison ministry, along with its upcoming initiative to reach out to juvenile detention centers, reflects a strong commitment to mental health and emotional support for marginalized people.

Food Security Programs:
Shiloh Baptist Church actively works to address food insecurity in its community through initiatives like free grocery distributions. These programs provide fresh food and essential supplies to families in need, supporting their immediate hunger needs and helping them build a stronger foundation.

Mental Health Outreach and Counseling Services:
Recognizing the importance of emotional and mental well-being, Shiloh offers mental health outreach and counseling services. The church’s efforts aim to destigmatize mental health challenges while providing support to those in the congregation and broader community who are struggling with mental health issues.

Economic Empowerment and Financial Literacy Workshops:
Shiloh’s commitment to economic justice extends to offering workshops focused on economic empowerment and financial literacy. These workshops provide community members with the tools and knowledge they need to improve their financial situations, offering a pathway toward self-sufficiency and economic stability.

A Place for All:
Shiloh’s mission also includes fostering inclusivity within its congregation. Rev. Dobynes states: “No one should feel excluded from the love and grace of God. Shiloh is for everyone, especially those society has pushed to the margins.”

Final Summary:

Rev. Dr. Aaron Dobynes, building on the historic foundation of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), continues the church’s proud tradition of faithful service, civil rights advocacy, and spiritual leadership. Through his deep commitment to justice, empowerment, and social action, Shiloh remains a pillar of hope and change, staying true to its legacy of serving both the spiritual and social needs of the community.

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Legacy and Celebration

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Souvenir flyer for the 100th anniversary of Shiloh (old site) Baptist Church, featuring a photo of a crowd gathered for the laying of the corner stone
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Copies of the anniversary celebration pamphlets were scanned from the Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist subject file at the Fredericksburg Branch Library Virginiana Room

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link to National Register of Historic Places web page

Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site)

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Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist Church Today

“Faith without work is dead. Advocacy is not optional; it is spiritual.”

– Rev. Aaron Dobynes16

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Footnotes:

  1. Rev. Aaron Dobynes, interview by Eyaya Fletcher, December 3, 2023.  ↩︎
  2. Rev. Aaron Dobynes, interview by Eyaya Fletcher, December 3, 2023.  ↩︎
  3. Timeline of Pastors 1854-1962. Hester, Beatrice H. The History of the Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist Church, Fredericksburg Virginia (Fredericksburg, Va.: The Church, 1927) ↩︎
  4. Timeline of Pastors 1854-1962. Hester, Beatrice H. The History of the Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist Church, Fredericksburg Virginia (Fredericksburg, Va.: The Church, 1927) ↩︎
  5. Timeline of Pastors 1854-1962. Hester, Beatrice H. The History of the Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist Church, Fredericksburg Virginia (Fredericksburg, Va.: The Church, 1927) ↩︎
  6. Rev. Aaron Dobynes, interview by Eyaya Fletcher, December 3, 2023. ↩︎
  7. Rev. Aaron Dobynes, interview by Eyaya Fletcher, December 3, 2023. ↩︎
  8. Rev. Aaron Dobynes, interview by Eyaya Fletcher, December 3, 2023.  ↩︎
  9. Hester, Beatrice H. The History of the Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist Church, Fredericksburg Virginia (Fredericksburg, Va.: The Church, 1927) ↩︎
  10. Reverend J. E. Brown, 100th Anniversary Celebration (Fredericksburg, Virginia: Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist Church, 1954). ↩︎
  11. Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist Church, Gifts From the Past, Gifts for the Future: 135 Years (Fredericksburg, Virginia: Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist Church, 1989). ↩︎
  12. Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist Church, A Heritage of Preaching: 1854-1989, Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist Church (Fredericksburg, Virginia: Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist Church, 1989). ↩︎
  13. Eyaya Fletcher, Honoring the enslaved for whom Shiloh was a haven of hope, 2025, photograph, Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist. ↩︎
  14. Eyaya Fletcher, Memorial Bench Dedication, 2025, photograph, Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist. ↩︎
  15. Eyaya Fletcher, Historic Marker: Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist, 2025, photograph, Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist.  ↩︎
  16. Rev. Aaron Dobynes, interview by Eyaya Fletcher, December 3, 2023. ↩︎
  17. Eyaya Fletcher, Entrance: Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist, 2025, photograph, Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist. ↩︎
  18. Eyaya Fletcher, Photo Wall: Shiloh (Old Site), 2025, photograph, Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist. ↩︎
  19. Eyaya Fletcher, Altar: Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist, 2025, photograph, Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist. ↩︎
  20. Eyaya Fletcher, Sanctuary: Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist, 2025, photograph, Shiloh (Old Site) Baptist. ↩︎