Silent Mission Choir

The  Silent  Mission  Choir  was  established in 1952.  Songs of praise and adoration  were offered to God with the blending of hands and hearts to the many  of Deaf and Hard of Hearing who worshipped with this ministry so rich in  Deaf  culture.   During this time, the Silent Mission Choir did not use the  sound of instruments or melodious voices to praise God, but faithfully used  the beautiful language of sign to honor and praise the Lord.  Members of the Choir who have since gone home to be with the Lord -- Mr. Harry Lee, Deaconess  Helen  Luckey and Deacon Willard Shorter -- often led the Silent Mission  in  congregational  singing  in  Brannon Chapel. Since the worship services  were  conducted  in  sign language, interpreters were not needed.

Ms. Lottie Crook and Deaconess Addrene Armstrong served as former Directors of  the  Silent  Mission Choir during the years when separate services were held  in  Brannon  Chapel  for  the Deaf.  The Silent Mission Choir started singing  with  the  Choirs  of  Shiloh in 1988. During the early 1990s, the Silent  Mission  Choir participated along with other Deaf choirs in Atlanta and  New  York  for  National  Baptist  Conference  of Deaf.  The Choir has performed at a host of churches in the Washington metropolitan area as well as  special  programs at Gallaudet University. Currently the Silent Mission is  an integral part of the music ministry at Shiloh Baptist and sign songs of   praise  and  inspiration  along with the Choirs of Shiloh every fourth Sunday.   Deaconess  Margaret  Williams  serves as the President and Deacon Rita L. Andrews is the Director.