In 1744, the Rev. Jonathan Lee rode into this “wilderness” on horseback to become our first pastor. In New England tradition, our first Meeting House served as the center of political, social, and religious assembly. Our present Meeting House, built in 1800, remains as a living example of Puritan simplicity.
The Congregational Church of Salisbury is part of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a denomination formed in 1957 with the merger of two church bodies: the Evangelical and Reformed Church, and the Congregational Christian Church.
The timeline below highlights major dates in the congregation’s history. A written history of the church’s first 250 years may be read by clicking here.
CHURCH TIMELINE
1741
Settlers petition General Court for “town privileges and liberty to imbody in church estate”
2024-12-20 19:32
1744
The Church is formed and the Rev. Jonathan Lee installed as Minister in a log house 30 x 25 feet, which served as the Lee’s home as well as the place of worship.
07/01/2017
1750
The First Meeting House was built for worship and town meetings where the Town Hall now stands: 45 long by 35 feet wide. Residents gathered at “sabba day houses” between services for lunch, warmth and socialization
07/01/2017
1788
The Rev. Jonathan Lee dies and is buried in graveyard behind Town Hall.
07/01/2017
1796
The Rev. Joseph Warren Crossman called as second Minister
07/01/2017
1800
The present Meeting House was erected measuring 64×45. All town residents required to contribute money or building material.
07/01/2017
07/01/2017
1804
Separation of Church and State – Ecclesiastical Society formed.
07/01/2017
1812
The Rev. Crossman dies while ministering to the sick during an epidemic of typhoid pleurisy.
07/01/2017
1837
The Rev. Adam Reid begins 40 year ministry. “The spell binder” packs the Meeting House Sunday after Sunday
07/01/2017
1845
First parsonage built.
07/01/2017
1850
Square pews, high Pulpit and original Ionic pillars are “swept away by the modernizing wave.”
07/01/2017
1853
Present Bell weighing over 1,000 lbs. struck at Troy and placed in the belfry
07/01/2017
1859
Notable layman Dr. Henry M. Knight opens first institution for training of mentally retarded.
07/01/2017
1867
Church organ replaces use of stringed instruments.
07/01/2017
1867
John Calvin Goddard begins 60 years of service as Pastor and Pastor Emeritus
07/01/2017
1889
Organ and choir pews moved to front of Church.
07/01/2017
1892
Preparatory School founded by Maria Hotchkiss.
07/01/2017
1894
One Hundredth and Fiftieth Anniversary attended by over 400
07/01/2017
1900
Current Meeting House and Watering Kettle, Circa 1900
07/01/2017
1913
Church remodeled and organ installed in the balcony.
07/01/2017
1922
Upkeep Society came into being for fellowship and raising money for the upkeep of the Parsonage.
07/01/2017
1948
The Rev. Lawrence Stone begins 21 years of service as 12th Pastor.
07/01/2017
1959
Parish Hall, designed by Norton Miner, is built.
07/01/2017
1965-66
Meeting House renovated: cove ceiling and pillars from balcony to ceiling are restored, antique weather vane replaced by the whale. New Schantz organ is installed.
07/01/2017
1972
Tom and Francis Wagner, members of this congregation, are instrumental in establishing Noble Horizons.
07/01/2017
1975
The Rev. John Hay installed as Pastor.
07/01/2017
1981
The Rev. Richard Taber begins 27 years of service as 15th Pastor.
07/01/2017
1992
The Rev. Lawrence Stone named Pastor Emeritus
07/01/2017
1994
250th Anniversary celebrated, (Video: “To Build the Faith Together” available for loan) Partnership with Iglesia Cristiana Adonay established.
07/01/2017
2000
Centennial Garden developed. (pictures above)Anniversary of raising of the Meeting House.
07/01/2017
2006
Senior Youth Group trip to New Orleans.
07/01/2017
2008
Search for Associate Pastor begins.
07/01/2017
2009
The Rev. Richard Taber retires after 27 years with the church.
The Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Austin installed as Interim Pastor
07/01/2017
2011
January 9th: Dr. Stephen M. Austin’s last Sunday in our pulpit.
January 16th: the Rev. Diane Monti-Catania’s first Sunday as pastor.
May 15th: the Rev. Diane Monti-Catania installed as the Congregational Church of Salisbury’s 16th settled pastor.
07/01/2017
2013
Renovation of the Parish Hall
07/01/2017
2019
January 13th: Dr. Diane Monti-Catania preaches her farewell sermon.
April 7th: the Rev. Dr. John A. Nelson’s first Sunday as Designated-Term Pastor.
07/01/2017
2020
March: the church suspends in-person worship due to the rapidly-spreading COVID-19 disease, and begins worshiping via online technology.
September: in-person worship services resume, without congregational singing; online worship continues.
09/12/2021
2021
August 1st: full in-person worship services resume.
September 12th: the congregation calls Dr. Nelson as the Church’s 17th settled pastor.
09/12/2021
