Dr. William T. Donovan

has come to minister at Silverside Church through a long and interesting route. He grew up the eighth of ten children in Long Island, New York, and expressed a desire to serve in ministry at a young age. Because his family was Roman Catholic, he entered seminary in that church, studying in New York and in Rome, Italy. He served as a Catholic priest in Long Island for 22 years, holding pastoral, administrative and teaching positions while earning his Ph.D. in Theology at Fordham University.

After much soul-searching, he decided to leave the Catholic ministry and set off on a journey of religious and personal exploration. He married his wife Laura, and they have two sons, Douglas and Liam. For 22 years to the present he has worked as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York, while continuing to preach, teach and write at various churches and organizations. He and Laura moved with their son Liam to Wilmington, Delaware in 2021, and were soon drawn to Silverside Church. They have come to love this community, becoming involved members in all of its activities.

Dr. Will also volunteered to be a substitute preacher during the time the church was searching for a permanent pastor. He felt called to submit his name for consideration and was both happy and humbled when the membership of Silverside Church called him to ministry as their 25th pastor.