First Church in Salem 316 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970

"First Church of Salem Visiting the First Church of Salem was a fascinating dive into the rich history of this storied town. Established in 1629, it's one of the oldest congregations in the United States, deeply intertwined with the early history of Salem. The First Church has seen a lot over the centuries, especially during the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Many of the accused and accusers were members of this congregation, which adds a haunting layer of history to the site. The current building, constructed in 1836, showcases beautiful Gothic Revival architecture. Inside, the church maintains a serene atmosphere, inviting visitors to reflect on its long and eventful past. An interesting fact is that the church has the original 17th-century communion silver, still used in services today. Salem itself, founded in 1626, is rich with colonial history. The town is best known for the witch trials, but it was also an important seaport in the 18th and 19th centuries. This mix of maritime and Puritan heritage makes Salem a unique place to explore. Overall, the First Church of Salem is a must-visit for anyone interested in American history, offering a poignant connection to the early days of the nation and the complex legacy of the Salem Witch Trials."

"An interesting piece of architecture that has some designs similar to those seen in a castle. This is a neat site to stop at when exploring the area and there are lots of hidden features that are cool to spot."

"Jesus was mentioned once. The rest of the speech was about how the speaker didn’t know how to explain who God is and how God likes to play hide and seek with humanity."

"My home away from home. I've been going here for almost 20 years, since my son was in preschool. There is an amazing kids' program here, and it's a great place for families. Were you raised in a religious community that no longer resonates with you for some reason? Give this community a try. It feels religious, but in fact, you don't even have to believe in God to be welcome here. Were you raised with no religion or not much religion? Then this is the place for you as well. We only require that you care about other people and care about the planet. That's about it. Although this church is Bible-based in the sense that at times, especially at Christmas for example, we do lean toward the practices of Christianity, everyone is welcome here. Many of us use religious stories as metaphors and you're welcome to interpret stories in any way you'd like. Our doors are open every Sunday at 10:30am for services, but join the mailing list for other happenings as well. Note that we are closed for the month of July, and we go "lite" in the month of August, because that is one of our cherished traditions. Hope to see you soon."

"This church is full of very nice people that get involved with important social justice issues just like Jesus would have done. They are definitely good at treating people how they would like to be treated and all that stuff. It is also in a beautiful building with awesome architecture."