Overview

The early story of Siloam Church is connected with the history of the Tolpuddle Martyrs who immigrated to Upper Canada in 1844. George Loveless and his Methodist neighbours built the original frame church at the comer of Con. 5 and Highbury Avenue. George Loveless served as the first lay preacher.

The parcel of land on which the frame church was erected was deeded from Joseph O'Brien on March 9, 1857 to trustees Thomas Knapton, Eli Barter, Richard Bradshaw, James Bradshaw, George Loveless, George Barfoot, Richard Scandrett, Richard Hale, John B. Fitzgerald, William Bradshaw, Caesar McLeod, John O'Brien, Anthony Metcalfe and John Fitzgerald. Records disagree as to whether there have been two or three churches on the site. Rev. John B. Williams was the first minister in charge of the old London circuit.

Siloam was originally part of the London circuit but as the population of the township grew, the circuit had to be divided. Siloam was part of the London South circuit in 1864. In June 1884, when the Siloam circuit was formed to include Siloam, Zion and The Grove, Rev. James E. Ford was appointed the first superintendent of the circuit.

A decision was made in 1891 to build a new church the following year, the former church having been damaged by fire. On March 13, 1892 there was a farewell service before demolishing the old church. The trustees met on Apr. 11, 1892 to remove the seats and pulpit for use in the new Sunday School room. While the old church was being torn down services were held in S.S. #19. Two cornerstones for the new church were laid June 15, 1892 and during the summer, many work bees were held to complete the church. The official opening took place on Oct. 9, 1892.

Siloam became part of the United Church of Canada with church union in 1925 and ten years later, the charges of Siloam and Bryanston amalgamated. During World War II a petition to prohibit alcoholic beverages as a war measure was circulated and each congregation was asked to invest $25 in war bonds. The church's student minister, Spencer Blair, joined the RCAF and was subsequently killed in action. Six churches within the circuit joined together in 1944 to hold a supper to raise funds for improvements to the parsonage.

Discussions were held about dividing the Bryanston and Siloam charge. In March 1961, the Siloam and The Grove charge came into existence. The Grove and Emmanuel United Churches joined to form Gethsemane in May 1963 creating the Siloam and Gethesame charge. This lasted until 1965 when Siloam and Gethesame each became a one-point charge.

In 1985, the congregation began investigating the possibility of acquiring land for a new church. Mabel Sproule spurred the development by offering four acres of land west of the old church for one dollar. The old church and the Christian Education Centre were sold in 1988.

On June 26, 1988 the Sunday service began in the old church and then the congregation walked along Fanshawe Park Rd. to complete the service in the unfinished sanctuary of the new Siloam United Church. The new church was dedicated on Oct. 16,1988, and remains an active place of worship in the community. This area of the township was annexed by London in 1993.