Reverend William A. Nowlin became pastor in 1937. Born in Campbell County, Virginia, he attended school there and eventually entered and graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary and College. He came to Siloam from Pittsburgh along with his dear wife and helpmate, Marie, and their two children, William and Christine.
He was a powerful evangelist and community leader. Many members were added to the church, junior and youth choirs were initiated, and the church auxiliaries expanded. Mrs. Nowlin, beloved by everyone, served as President of the Missionary Circle for 14 years. She was also a member of the Senior Choir for many years and secretary of the Willing Workers Club. The first Church bulletins were compiled and printed under her direction. A pipe organ was dedicated on August 31, 1941.
Reverend Nowlin, building on the work of those before him, helped to give Siloam the status it enjoys in the community today. During his tenure, he served as a president of the Philadelphia Ministerial Alliance, the Greater Norristown Council of Churches, and the Norristown Ministerial Alliance. Among his memberships were:
Chairman of Membership Committee of Health and Welfare Society of Montgomery County
Planned Parenthood Committee
The Christian Committee Education of Norristown Council of Churches
Human Relations Committee of Central Montgomery County
The Local Chaplains Committee for Hospital Visitation of the Council of Churches
Member of the Board of Directors of the Norristown Chapter of N.A.A.C.P.
Member of the Board of Directors of the George Washington Carver Community Center
A fire destroyed the interior of the church on October 27, 1946. Reverend Nowlin led the restoration and remodeling of the church to where it is today. As part of the project, the basement was completed and the pulpit was refurbished and carpeted.
Reverend Nowlin was the first of Siloam’s pastors to die in office. He died in 1961 after having been an asset to the church and to the community. He left a great legacy.
