The First Church of Salem is one of the oldest churches in America, originating from members of the 1629 Massachusetts Bay Colony. All the members shared the same Puritan beliefs. Ministers of the church are known to be outspoken and the congregation as a whole questioned religious practices. The third minister of the church, Roger Williams (1603-1683), disagreed with some of the practices of Puritanism. Born in London, England to a wealthy family, Williams received an exceptional education and had more resources available to him than many other people. As a teen, he converted to Puritanism and would then flee England for safety in Massachusetts. He arrived in Boston in 1631 and banished only five years later.

Some of his views were not aligned with the leadership of the colony. For example, he wanted complete separation of church and state. He did not think any religion should take money from the state. He also thought the king had no right to take land from the Native Americans and therefore he had no right to grant a charter for a colony. While in Salem, he convinced the leaders to remove the red cross from the English flag, showing their belief the king had no authority to grant charters. John Winthrop and other colonial leaders repeatedly told him to stop speaking on specific topics, but he refused. Because of his refusal, the Governor wanted him shipped back to England.

Williams fled the colony and founded Providence. After finding suitable land for a settlement, Williams paid the local Indians for the land. Throughout his life, people knew of his acceptance and willingness to work with Indians. He was fair to them. After having problems with other colonies, Williams traveled to England where he obtained a charter for Rhode Island. The colony became a safe place for other religious settlers who did not conform to Puritanism. 

By: Jessica McKenzie 

Credits and Sources:

Barz-Snell, Rev. Jeffrey. “A “Short” History of the First Church in Salem.” The First Church in Salem, Unitarian. Accessed September 15, 2016. http://firstchurchinsalem.org/long-history-22.html

LaFantasie, Glenn W. “Williams, Roger.” American National Biography Online. Last modified February, 2000. Accessed September 15, 2016. http://www.anb.org/articles/01/01-00983.html?from=../01/01-00995.html&from_nm=Winthrop%2C%20John

Roger Williams Family Association. “Roger William…A Brief Biography.” Roger Williams Family Association. Accessed September 15, 2016. http://www.rogerwilliams.org/biography.htm

USHistory.org. “Dissent in Massachusetts Bay.” Independence Hall Association in Philadelphia. Accessed September 15, 2016. http://www.ushistory.org/us/3e.asp