THE PASTORS OF SILOAM
Who rendered distinguished service in the Master's cause as ministers of Siloam Presbyterian Church
1849 – Rev. James A. Gloucester, a former slave (the son of John Gloucester, founder of the First African Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia), obtained permission from Presbytery to organize The Religious Society into a church, thenceforth to be named Siloam Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn. The Church moved to 106 Prince Street, remaining there for 60 years.
1859 – Rev. Amos N. Freeman (2nd Installed Pastor) met abolitionist John Brown, who later stayed at the Freeman home in Brooklyn en route to his raid in Harpers Ferry. Siloam participated vigorously in the Underground Railroad and escaped slaves were provided food, clothing and refuge. An offering of approximately $25 was raised for John Brown.
1919 – Rev. George Shippen Stark came to Siloam and served for 28 years. A manse was acquired on Clifton Place. Siloam purchased 260 Jefferson Avenue (formerly Central Presbyterian Church) in April 1944 and paid off the mortgage in October 1945.
1948 – Rev. Milton A. Galamison began his ministry and served for 40 years. He was a pioneer in religious television, Siloam being the first Black church to appear on NBC. He became nationally-known as one of the earliest Black leaders to emerge in the 1950s-1960s civil rights era in NYC, fighting for equal opportunity in education and employment.
1990 – Rev. Sylvester Shannon’s leadership emphasized intergenerational worship as well as evangelism and outreach. The African American Moment and Our Time with The Children became part of our Sunday services. The “Footprints of Our History” exhibit, which included artifacts dating back to slavery and post-slavery era, was initiated.
2004-2013 – Rev. Dr. Darryll Young’s tenure included the following programs: The Membership Committee sponsors a free “Meet Your Neighbors” Community Breakfast every fourth Saturday. Since 2007, the Your Body Is a Temple Health Ministry (YBIT) has been servicing the community with health-related information and free tests to include HIV/AIDS, Hep-C, Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, etc.
2017 - present – Rev. Eric A. Thomas, Interim Pastor has the double-distinction of being the first pastor ordained at Siloam and its first openly same-gender loving pastor. Rev. Thomas has helped to modernize the operations of the church with much-needed building repairs, the creation of the Siloam CDC of Bed Stuy, and welcoming the Bed Stuy Kids Pre-School of Business and Park Slope United Soccer Club to share space in the church’s Parish House. Under his tenure, significant community partnerships have been established with Brooklyn chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gay Men of African Descent, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM), Covenant House, and Kingston Family Center.