Siloam Baptist Church began in the year 1903 when a group of Christian people began to meet on Thursdays, “Maid’s Day Off,” to worship. Mr. Murray and Mr. Shepherd, members of Second Baptist Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania, would come over to Norristown to conduct services with:
The site of the first gathering place was 321 DeKalb Street, the present location of the Anna Catanese Florist Shop.
Growth was gradual. As the group grew larger, it moved to the 500 block of DeKalb Street, occupying the second floor of what was then a Chinese laundry. Reverend Baxter was the first pastor, followed in succession by:
During this time, the membership again changed he location of the church to the second floor of the Odd Fellows Hall on Airy Street, between DeKalb and Swede Streets. This location presently houses Law Offices across from old City Hall.
It was under Reverend Howard that a charter was obtained, indicating that:
“the name of the corporation is Siloam Baptist Church. The purpose for which the aforesaid corporation is formed is the worship of Almighty God, according to the faith, discipline and usages of the Baptist Church of the United States of America.”
Members during this period included the following Christian soldiers who had a vision and progressed, despite few resources, trusting God for their strength and victories:
Those persons above who are marked with an asterisk (*) were forebears of some of Siloam’s present membership.
Since Siloam had no Baptismal pool, some of its new members were baptized at other area churches: