DURHAM — The Durham Historical Society is hosting a public tour of the Shiloh Church at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at 38 Beulah Lane.

Parking is available on site and refreshments will be served.

In the late 19th century, the Rev. Frank Sandford established what was then a much larger Shiloh Church complex as the home for a secretive apocalyptic Christian cult. In the years that followed, he would be convicted of cruelty to children and causing the deaths of six followers in separate cases, and sued by a wife for forcible detention.

The Shiloh Chapel, whose congregation meets in the church that remains of the complex, has no affiliation with Sandford’s original group or its contemporary successor organization, Kingdom Christian Ministries.

The remaining church building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Rev. Ron Parker, pastor of the church, and Shiloh experts Linda Craig and Jeff Wakeman will lead talks at the open house.

Tickets are $10 each at the Town Office, 630 Hallowell Road, and Get & Go convenience store at 697 Royalsborough Road.

For more information, visit the Durham Historical Society on Facebook at www.facebook.com/durhammainehistoricalsociety.

Shiloh Church