The seed that grew into Siloam Methodist Church was sown during the years 1849-51, when a number of the members of Chester-Bethel M. E. Church, Brandwine Hundred, Delaware, objected to the introduction of choir singing in the services.

Music in church worship was something very new and the distaste for this innovation was so great that many of the members withdrew from the church. Just as their ancestors, years before, came to this "Land of Liberty" to worship as they deemed proper in the sight of God.

Unable to feel at home in the various surrounding appointments, they secured the Concord Union Schoolhouse and held services there during the summer. In the autumn, Grace Church, near Perry's Tavern, formerly an Episcopal Chapel, was loaned to the group as a place of worship.

At the Quarterly Conference, held on January 24, 1852, a committee was appointed to select a site and obtain estimates for building a new church. After careful examination, and due deliberation, the present site was chosen. Samuel Hance and Samuel Hanby each gave an acre of ground for building the church, cemetery and the personage.

During this period, the Siloam Sunday School was accorded the privilege of meeting in the Booth's Corner Public School. Sessions were continued here until the lecture room was completed. "King's Questions on the Bible" was used, and the Bible and catechism were studied thoroughly.

The Sunday School was drilled in the doctrines of the church. Even in those days Siloam was noted for her bountiful gifts to the Missionary cause, a truly Christian ideal which Siloam still carries out.

Work on the church was begun in the summer of 1852. Rapid progress was made in construction and the cornerstone was laid in September of that year. During the year following they progressed rapidly to a finish, at a cost of S4,500.00. Then at last the great day came. How we wish we could have shared the joy of that dedication day. October remains sacred in our memories of those joyous days, for our church was formally dedicated on October 20, 1853. Even to this day we observe, annually, that memorable occasion.

The first Quarterly Conference was held June 18, 1853 and it resolved to organize a camp meeting, beginning the first of August. The site selected was Perry's Woods. The work begun here was carried on with great success for a number of years, Mt. Lebanon and Village Green circuits cooperating.

1866 - Siloam organized a camp in Johnson's Woods and for seventy-five years this great camp, now called "The Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting", has continued to be a dynamic spiritual force in this area. At present, the meetings are held by the Methodist Churches of the Peninsular Conference.

1868 - Under the leadership of Rev. William McMichael, a group meeting was started at Johnson's Corner. Also a chapel was purchased at Chelsea.

1878 - The group at Johnson's Corner purchased one and one-half (1 1/2) acres of land and erected a chapel at Elam.

1880 - The first choir was organized, and the first organ installed at Siloam. In the same year, in order to serve the youth of the community, a young people's society, called the Christian Association, was organized. This was succeeded in November 1892, by the Siloam Chapter of the Epworth League. This young people's group has, in these sixty-one years, tried to make itself a power for righteousness. How well it has succeeded can be judged by the fact that two of our young men entered the Methodist Ministry, George A. Laughead and George W. Goodley, Jr. May the League ever continue with power.

1886 - While Wm. R. Smith was pastor, the parsonage was considerably enlarged. As evidence of the desire by the people to make their House of Worship ever more beautiful and pleasing to God, much sacrificial work has been done.

1895 - The Church and Sunday School rooms were renovated. This was made possible by the Epworth League, and paid for by them.

1921 - The trustees purchased two and one-half (2 1/2) acres of land for S2.000.00 for additional cemetery space. Later a driveway was made in the new cemetery at a cost of $400.00. In the same year renovations were made in the parsonage.

1924 - Carpet and pulpit furniture were bought for the church. During the years of 1931-32 the stairway approach was altered and improved by Mr. Robert P. Cloud.

1935 - The stained glass windows added new beauty to the church. Between the years 1935-39 the members of Siloam made a great and successful effort to keep their township free of liquor sales.

In the summer of 1939, a hot water heating system and an electric hot water heater were installed in the parsonage. At the same time furnishings were added to the pastor's home. By autumn of that year it was necessary to put a new roof on the church. The following summer the church auditorium and halls were redecorated. The Epworth League was responsible for the installation of the semi-indirect lighting. The people were rewarded for their efforts to beautify their church by the presentation of a beautiful Everett Orgatron. This organ was the most generous gift of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Thatcher Hanby, of Philadelphia and Hanby's Corner. Siloam was so overwhelmed by this unexpected addition of inspiration to their church, they added the Maas chimes to the organ, in honor of the very kind donors.

All these things had happened to Siloam, and still blessings were rained down upon her; for in the summer of 1940 - the church was made the beneficiary under the will of the late Robert P. Cloud. The people knew of no more worthy way in which to use this great and marvelous gift than to erect this very much needed Sunday School Building as a living memorial to a loving friend of Siloam.

The members and friends of Siloam worked and gave of time and money to complete the building, that the gift from Mr. Cloud started, and in a very few years it was free of indebtedness, to the great joy of all.

1946 - Because of the added growth of the Sunday School, three new classrooms were made in the old Sunday School. Also outside amplifiers were installed.

1948 - The parking lots and driveways were resurfaced at a cost of $1,350.00.

1950 - A new belfry for the amplifiers was installed, which was a decided improvement in the looks of the church.

1951 - A new cement floor was laid in the old Sunday School, covered with asphalt tile, at a cost of $3,500.00.

1952 - The Church Sanctuary was replastered and redecorated, and a new carpet to replace the old. A new dossil cloth will be used as a fine new background to our altar. Siloam Church has been blessed greatly during all of its 100 years; and is indeed very thankful for all of the hard work, cooperation and generosity of its members, and many friends that have always been ready to give a helping hand to her at all times.

This Year, 1952, our 100th Anniversary Year, we received a very great blessing in the form of a legacy from our good friend, the late Harry Anderson.

Now in closing, we the committee, wish to thank all the members and friends of the church, who have so generously given of their time and gifts to make this, our 100th Anniversary Booklet, a success.

We hope you will enjoy it -

Wilson M. Talley, Chairman
Mrs. Alma Cheyney
Mr. Edward Husbands
Mrs. Ann. T. Hutton
Mrs. Ada Talley
Mrs. Mary Moser
Mrs. George Fountain
Mr. Daniel Wiggins