Salem in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Saint Peter's Episcopal Church

Salem, Massachusetts

— Founded 1733 —

Saint Peter's Episcopal Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Cleary, August 4, 2023

1. Saint Peter's Episcopal Church Marker

Inscription. The first congregation of the Church of England gathered in Salem in 1626. Driven underground by the puritans, it re-emerged in 1733 as Saint Peter's Parish, built on land given by Philip English, one of the accused Salem witches. Just before the Revolution it was the State Church of the British Royal Governor, General Thomas Gage.

It is the mother parish to many Episcopal Congregations in this area.

In 1773 Nathaniel Bowditch was baptized here. He later wrote "The Practical Navigator" used by sailors for centuries.

Jonathan Pue, whose "Scarlet Letter" and papers Nathaniel Hawthorne later found at the Custom House, is buried here.

The first Bishop of Massachusetts, Edward Bass was elected here and the Constitution of the Diocese of Massachusetts was adopted here in 1790.

The present church building was erected in 1833 during the tenure of Bishop Griswold, the fifth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

Salem's oldest bell, cast in 1740, hangs in the tower with a nine bell chime, installed in 1887.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1626.

Location. 42° 31.381′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

70° 53.594′ W. Marker is in Salem, Massachusetts, in Essex County. Marker is on St Peter Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 St Peter Street, Salem MA 01970, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Birthplace of Brigadier General John Glover (a few steps from this marker); Major General Stephen Abbott Square (a few steps from this marker); Liberty Tree (a few steps from this marker); Armory Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Militia Company (about 400 feet away); With The Need For Greater Military Organization (about 400 feet away); Colonial Militia (about 400 feet away); Essex County Militiamen (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.

Photographed By Michael Tiernan, October 8, 2011

2. Saint Peter's Episcopal Church Marker

Saint Peter's Episcopal Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Tiernan, October 8, 2011

3. Saint Peter's Episcopal Church

Immediately to the right of the marker (left of the main entrance) is this small graveyard.

Photographed By Michael Tiernan, October 8, 2011

4. Saint Peter's Episcopal Church Marker

Photographed By Michael Tiernan, October 8, 2011

5. Saint Peter's Episcopal Church Marker

Graveyard to the left of church entrance (facing church) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Marc Posner, November 24, 2023

6. Graveyard to the left of church entrance (facing church)

Graveyard to the right of church entrance (facing church) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Marc Posner, November 24, 2023

7. Graveyard to the right of church entrance (facing church)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2011, by Michael Tiernan of Danvers, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 807 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 8, 2023, by Michael Cleary of Salem, Massachusetts. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 9, 2011, by Michael Tiernan of Danvers, Massachusetts. 6, 7. submitted on April 5, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.