First Church in Salem is a Unitarian Universalist church, was built in 1836, a Gothic Revival building of Quincy granite. It’s long and interesting history dates back to its founding in 1629. Gathered by the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony, the theological position of the church has changed through the years, most significantly in the early 1800‘s when Unitarianism was embraced.

Notable members include but are not limited to Roger Conant, the founder of Salem village, John Endicott, the first Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and Reverend William Bentley, world renowned minister, scholar, columnist, and diarist. Various church members were involved in the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692, including Judge Hathorne and the junior minister Rev.

Nicholas Noyes. Parishioners Rebecca Nurse and Giles Corey, who were excommunicated and executed during the trials.

Reverend Elizabeth M. Ide is the 32nd minister of the First Church in Salem. She is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago.