Gathered by the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony in August of 1629, First Church is one of the oldest Protestant churches founded in North America and the first to be governed by congregational polity.

Today, we remain a self-governing congregation that follows its by-laws and democratically elects its officers. The First Church welcomes all who wish to share in our religious fellowship and spiritual quest regardless of color, race, creed, or sexual orientation.

We welcome and celebrate various theological, philosophical and spiritual diversity. We espouse and work to live the values of freedom, reason, interdependence, equity, justice, transformation, pluralism, and generosity as pathways to honoring love as our central tenet. We do not ask what you believe or expect you to think in a specific way; we only ask that you work to live a kind, helpful life with dignity.

Our new minister!

We are so excited about our new minister: the Rev. Danielle Garrett. Danielle relocated this summer from Portland, Oregon, where she served at the First Unitarian Church in Portland, Oregon for the past 2 years. Danielle is in the pulpit most Sundays; sign up for the weekly newsletter for updates.
Come join us and learn why Rev. Danielle LOVES CHURCH!

Learn more about Rev. Danielle.

First Church Tours
Thank you to the thousands of visitors who came to see us this season! And an even bigger thank you to our volunteers for the hundreds of hours that went in to making First Church a unique part of Salem’s spooky season.

Henny Penny

Henny Penny Nursery School began on September 8 and is continuing to accept enrollment throughout the fall of 2025! We're proud to welcome our new Director, Shauna Gauthier, and Miss Renee returning as our lead teacher. We'd love to have your child who is at least 2 years 9 months, or will be soon, become part of the Henny Penny community this year.