First Church, Unitarian

From Salem Links and Lore
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  • The First Church Unitarian, considered the oldest continuous Protestant congregation in America, was established in 1629.
  • Between 1635-1923 the First Church congregation gathered for worship in a succession of meeting houses on or near the former Daniel Low building in Town House Square.
  • The present church edifice at 316 Essex Street built in 1836, was designed by Boston architect Gridley J.F. Bryant.
  • The church celebrated its 375th anniversary Aug. 7, 2004.
  • Some of its famous past church members include: Rebecca Nurse and Giles Corey, Elizabeth Peabody (opened America's first Kindergarten), Leverett Saltonstall (first mayor of Salem), George Parker (Parker Brothers founder).
  • The pipe organ of the church was made by Hook and Hastings of Boston and set up in 1882.
  • The church is known for its many beautiful stained glass windows. The two windows in the back of the Sanctuary are from the Children's Chapel of the Second Church in Salem, which merged with the First Church. The symbols depict the writers of the first four gospels of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. "Christ the Teacher" is a contemporary window by Reynolds given by the Parker family (of Parker Games fame.)
  • The First Church sold some of its silver pieces through Christie's auction house in January of 2007, netting funds for needed church repairs.

See Also

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