Gathered in 1744, the Congregational Church of Salisbury is an Open and Affirming member of the United Church of Christ, in a “net zero” building powered by clean energy. Our church is also a welcoming home to people from a great variety of church backgrounds and life experiences. Your presence is a gift to us! We hope you will feel God’s Spirit here today through our worship and fellowship.

We seek to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds and love our neighbors as ourselves. This Church is Open to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment regardless of race, ancestry, class, gender identity, physical and mental ability or sexual orientation. We Affirm each individual as a child of God, celebrating the total identity of each person.

As an Open and Affirming Congregation, we commit to work toward ending ignorance, fear, hatred, prejudice, and discrimination against any person.

Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

Church Leadership

Our church is governed by a committee structure including:

Board of Deacons: Responsible for the spiritual well-being of the church.

Board of Trustees: Responsible for stewardship of the physical and financial assets of the church.

Board of Christian Action: Ensures the church’s active participation in spreading God’s love to our neighbors in need.

Board of Religious Education: Works with the Coordinator of Christian Education to provide faith formation and education for children and youth.

Church Council: Oversees general communication among church committees.

Hospitality Committee: Manages hospitality hour, funeral collations, and social event refreshments.

Music Committee: Oversees the ministry of music for worship services.

Ushers Committee: Prepares the Meeting House for worship and assists during services.

Our church has been served by 17 pastors since its founding in 1744. Currently, the Rev. Dr. John A. Nelson serves as our 17th settled Pastor. The pastor is charged with the spiritual leadership of the congregation and works closely with the lay leadership on managing, governing, and caring for the congregation.

Our Staff

The Rev. Dr. John A. Nelson

Pastor and Teacher

Pastor John served the church beginning April 1, 2019, as Designated-Term Pastor and Teacher. On September 21, 2021, the congregation called him to be its 17th settled Pastor.

Nelson graduated Middlebury College, Union Theological Seminary (NYC), and Chicago Theological Seminary. He has served churches in Gloversville, NY, Dover, MA, Niantic, CT, and Lenox, MA.

With a varied background in theatrical design and direction, woodworking, HIV/AIDS chaplaincy, and human rights advocacy in Central America, Pastor John describes himself as “a progressive Christian, saturated in Scripture and passionately committed to ministries of justice and joy.”

David Baranowski

Music Director

David Baranowski is a highly versatile conductor and musician, performing with equal aplomb on piano, keyboard, organ, and harpsichord.

In addition to directing the music ministry at Salisbury UCC, David leads the Hudson Chorale and the Westchester Choral Society. As a music professor at Western CT State University, he taught music theory, ear training, and piano. He has toured internationally with rock icon Ritchie Blackmore, as both keyboardist and singer, and has collaborated with Irish pop singer and composer, Julie Feeney.

David studied piano with Paul Ostrovsky and Steven Lubin, organ with Robert Fertitta, and voice with Stefano Algieri.

Catherine Chatham

Church Administrator

As Church Administrator, Catherine manages our day-to-day operations. She is a first contact with the church for visitors and members, promotes our activities and ministries through social media and the press, supports our many volunteers, and oversees gifts and finances.