First Church of Dedham-Unitarian was founded in 1638, right after Dedham was established. Today, Rev. Rali Weaver leads an active congregation with a variety of activities including a theater group, support for gay rights, green initiatives, and fundraising through an Amazon affiliate program.
Father Noble Scheepers leads this congregation in a setting with oak pews, stained glass windows, an organ and a real bell that calls worshippers to prayer. A complete program of education for children is an important part of this institution's schedule.
Located in close proximity to Essex Street attractions, including the Witch House, the Witch Dungeon Museum and the First Church in Salem, the Wesley United Methodist Church is dedicated to serving the entire community. In addition to sustaining local scout troops and offering religious education to people of all ages, the church offers services in both Spanish and English. The church is also recognized for its historical significance within the Salem community. The building, constructed in 1888, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The First Church in Salem, Unitarian-The First Congregational Society in Salem, dates back to August 1629. According to its archives, the church is one of the oldest congregations in North America. The First Church in Salem currently meets in the English Gothic-style building located at 316 Essex Street, which was dedicated in 1839.
Aside from its historical significance in Salem, the church is active today and weekly services and religious education are offered. The church is also available for weddings and maintains an outreach program for those in need.
The Fellowship Bible Church is a non-denominational Christian church that has been active in the community since 1843. It offers a welcoming spiritual community for the whole family. Worship services are held on Sunday mornings at 10am. Nursery care and youth activities are available for children during the service. The church has ministries for children, teens and adults as well as community groups and prayer groups.
Shaint Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church has served the growing Greek community of Peabody since the turn of the last century. In 1923, it opened its current house of worship on Paleologos Street. A large school is attached to the church, a sign of its ongoing commitment to education. This active community also sponsors a soup kitchen and food pantry, shelter and transitional housing for homeless people, choir, mens club and play groups for young children.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church has been a part of the city's history since the arrival of the settlers from England. The parish was officially founded in 1733. The stone building where the congregation currently meets was constructed in 1883. Aside from the church building, which is located adjacent to the Salem Place Mall, it also includes two small cemeteries, which were relocated to the front of the main building after a chapel was constructed over the church's orginal cemetery in the late 19th century.
In addition to regular services, the church is availabe for baptisms, confirmations, weddings and burials. St. Peter's, also known as San Pedro's, is dedicated to both English and Spanish-speaking parishoners. All are welcome.
The Church of Emmanuel has a rich community history. For more than a century the church has been dedicated to seeking answers to today's most important questions and challenges. The church facility includes the Underground and the Common Ground Cafe. The Underground serves a full breakfast menu, and church members enjoy a broadcast of the Sunday service on large screens. The Common Ground Cafe serves pastries and speciality coffee before and after the Sunday service. Sunday worship service begins at 10am.
Founded in 1804 and originally located on Federal Street, First Baptist Church of Salem settled into its new home on Lafayette Street in July 2007. Led by Rev. Dr. Renee P. Keels, services are held Sundays at 10:30a. (10am during the summer months). First Baptist Church of Salem offers Bible study on Wednesday evenings from September to June, as well as spiritual maturity workshops and programs. In addition, church volunteers are working with the Salem Public School system to develop a program that assists parents in helping their children to be academically successful.
Saint Paul's Episcopal Church is a religious institution serving Dedham and the surrounding areas. The church offers weekly prayer services and provides a safe and welcoming environment for patrons to worship. Some programs and activities offered include youth activities, music programs, choir, church school, religious education and community outreach. It also offers a food pantry, as well as nursery care for services. Check its website for a schedule of upcoming events or for details on programs or prayer services.
Although few Catholics lived in Dedham in its early years, the steadily growing population gave rise to a small congregation that eventually established a full-fledged church in 1857. Today, Reverend William T. Kelly leads a robust institution in an imposing edifice with a full schedule of liturgical, educational and social activities.
Since 1998, East Gate Christian Fellowship has worked to heal those who are feeling lost, in pain, oppressed or confused. The church focuses on helping people to form and sustain their relationship with Jesus Christ. Sunday worship services are held at 10am. Founder Lou Badolato and his wife Gwen also run Kingdom Life Ministries at 127 North St.
Situated in downtown Salem across from the Salem T train station, is the First Universalist Society of Salem, founded in 1805. The building itself follows the tradition of classic Federal architecture and houses a historic Hutchings organ from 1888.
The church is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations "which does not require a commitment to a specific creed or school of thought, which enables us to embrace people of all faiths and those who seek community but consider themselves agnostic or atheist."
Worship is conducted every Sunday, and from early September to the middle of June services and children's religious education classes start at 10:45pm. Summer services are held in June and July at 10am at First Unversalist and in August at First Church on Essex Street. Child care is offered during worship only.