Perched on a rise overlooking the hamlet of South Salem in Lewisboro, New York, the white building at 111 Spring Street has been a Presbyterian witness on this corner of Westchester County for more than 250 years. Locals know it simply as "the white church on the hill," and the congregation that gathers inside it is small - roughly fifty members - but its reach stretches well beyond the hamlet, with a livestream that draws viewers from across the United States and countries such as Scotland, Ireland, Guatemala, Nigeria, and Sweden. Founded in 1752 by the Reverend Solomon Mead and now affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through the Presbytery of Hudson River, South Salem Presbyterian Church keeps a tradition of dignified, hymn-sung worship at the heart of its common life.
Sunday Mornings at Ten
Worship gathers in the sanctuary every Sunday at 10 a.m., year round, and includes Holy Communion every week. The service is described by the congregation as "dignified and yet open to the movement of the Holy Spirit," with the congregational singing of great hymns from the Presbyterian tradition. Children from preschool age through middle school begin the service with their families, then come forward for a Children's Message - a short, child-friendly mini-sermon from the pastor - before heading off to their Sunday School classes.
Anyone wanting to arrive early can join an open discussion on matters of faith in the narthex at 9:15 a.m., complete with bagels and coffee. Sunday School for the children and youth also starts at 9:15. After the service, the fellowship time with refreshments is a regular rhythm of the morning. The pews are filled by the congregation in person, while a virtual community of "Friends of South Salem Presbyterian Church" watches the livestream from home and follows along with a Friday morning email known affectionately as "the Blast."
The Sanctuary, Rebuilt from Ashes
The sanctuary worshippers enter today was built in 1975, replacing a structure that was first erected in 1826 and rebuilt in 1872 before being destroyed in a startling early-morning blaze in 1973. The current building is a contemporary design meant to serve its community-wide role while still evoking the congregation's rural New England heritage. Inside, the history of the older building is preserved in pieces of wood salvaged from the ashes and worked into the furnishings: the communion table, the pulpit, the lectern, and the cross.
The pipes of the Russell organ tower over the choir loft and lend an "exquisite aura" to the worship, according to the congregation. A balcony offers an elevated view, and visitors and longtime members alike note the acoustics. The chancel windows open onto a view of the surrounding trees that shifts with the seasons, and just outside sits the historic burial ground with graves for twenty-seven Revolutionary War soldiers, alongside centuries of parishioners stretching back to the church's founding.
Holy Communion, Baptism, and Membership
The Sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated each Sunday morning, with the church teaching that all are welcome at the table. The Sacrament of Baptism is offered throughout the year for infants, older children, and adults, and anyone interested is invited to speak with the pastor. The church maintains a longstanding custom of baking homemade communion bread, and the congregation shares one member's peasant-loaf recipe for those who would like to participate from home.
Membership at South Salem Presbyterian is received in three ways, each rooted in the Reformed tradition. Those making a Profession of Faith receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, with previous baptism recognized or baptism administered at that moment. Others come by Transfer of Membership from another church, with the minister writing for a letter of transfer. A third path, Reaffirmation, welcomes those who have been inactive or separated from the church for a time and wish to rededicate themselves.
Pastor Mark E. Salmon
The Reverend Dr. Mark E. Salmon is the pastor of South Salem Presbyterian Church. He officially began his full duties with the Christmas Eve service on December 24, 2019, just weeks before a global pandemic swept through the community. He and his wife Dee moved north to be near their daughter Marlana, then on the faculty of Columbia University's Teachers College, and her husband Matias, a professional illusionist. Mark is a graduate of the University of South Carolina (B.A. in Political Science), received his Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1982, and earned his Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary in 1984.
Before South Salem he served several churches in Texas, including Grace Presbyterian in urban Corpus Christi and First Presbyterian Churches in the small towns of Denison and Belton, and most recently was pastor and Head of Staff at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Sun City Center, Florida. He has led mission trips to places including Mexico and Guatemala and hosts "The Hammer that Changed the World," a program on Reformed Theology, on WRMI (Radio Miami International), available worldwide and in rural areas via shortwave. To the work of ministry he brings an eclectic set of skills: he is a Certified Master Hypnotherapist, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, and practices puppetry and clowning. He has also ministered beyond conventional congregations, including to the homeless, to prisoners, to those with HIV/AIDS, to orphans, and to professional baseball players.
When the pandemic brought sudden isolation, South Salem became one of the first churches to stream its services, drawing members of Mark's former congregations and others seeking weekly religious community. Encouraging those watching at home to send in photos of themselves and their families, he filled the sanctuary's empty pews with images of those joining in from afar.
Music at SSPC
Mary Jane Newman serves as Minister of Music, overseeing a program that draws on the heritage of Presbyterian congregational hymn singing. The Russell organ anchors the choir loft above the nave, and the choir's offerings are woven into each Sunday morning service. Members describe the acoustics as a highlight of the sanctuary, with the balcony and chancel windows contributing to an atmosphere that supports both the spoken word and sung praise.
Children, Sunday School, and Junior Church
Samantha Zaffiro serves as Children's Ministry Director, coordinating Sunday School and Junior Church for children from preschool age through middle school. After the Children's Message at the front of the sanctuary, the children go to their Sunday School classes for lessons, hymns, and fellowship. Small children are always welcome to remain with their families throughout the service, and childcare is available for infants and toddlers in the upstairs nursery. The Children's Ministry Director also serves on the Session, the church's governing council, with responsibility for Christian Education.
The South Salem Nursery School
Established in 1963 by South Salem Presbyterian Church as a non-sectarian school, the South Salem Nursery School has been educating young children in the community for more than sixty years. The school occupies a modern facility with large, open, sun-filled classrooms and a developmentally appropriate fenced playground for active recreation and creative outdoor play. Its goal is to foster the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of young children by developing their delight in nature, music, art, literature, science, literacy, math, computers, and culture.
The staff is hand-picked for their love of children and works closely with local school districts to ensure kindergarten readiness. With nearly three generations of local children having passed through its program, the school maintains excellent communication with families through open houses, parent coffees, curriculum nights, holiday celebrations, one-on-one conferences, and class newsletters. Director Katie Watkins leads the school, which has its own mailing address (P.O. Box 232) at 111 Spring Street, its own telephone line ((914) 763-3560), and its own email (ssns@optonline.net).
Midnight Run: Serving the Streets of New York
The Midnight Run is one of the church's signature outreach ministries. In partnership with other local religious organizations, South Salem Presbyterian volunteers make sandwiches, collect clothing, and deliver them to people living on the streets of New York City. The congregation describes the experience as transformative for participants, particularly the Confirmation class and other youth. Each run requires substantial preparation, and a typical trip calls for hearty bread and sandwich fixings for around 30 bag meals, plus thirty apples, oranges, and bananas, individual fruit cups, hard-boiled eggs or a high-protein equivalent, juice boxes, granola bars, iced tea mix, bottled water, cookies, candy bars, brownies, sandwich bags, and paper napkins. The youth group also collects men's pants in sizes 32 to 40, hooded sweatshirts, T-shirts, socks, new underwear, jackets, and gently used men's soft-soled shoes and sneakers. Contributions for supplies can be marked "Midnight Run Supplies" on a check and dropped in the offering plate on Sunday or delivered to the church office.
Mission Partners and Denominational Connections
Beyond Midnight Run, the congregation supports a number of partner ministries. Locally and around the country, these include Habitat for Humanity, the Community Center in Katonah, the Souper Bowl of Caring, and A-Home (a Westchester housing organization). The church also tithes to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the relief arm of the PC(USA). As a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation, South Salem Presbyterian belongs to the Presbytery of Hudson River, which provides regional oversight and connection to the wider denomination.
Special Seasons: Christmas and Holy Week
The church marks the church year with a small set of recurring seasonal observances. During Christmas week, the church hosts a Christmas Pageant starring the youngest members of the congregation. On Christmas Eve, a candlelight communion service features traditional carols and festive music. At the beginning of Lent, an Ash Wednesday service is held. On Maundy Thursday, the congregation gathers in the Fellowship Hall for a 6:30 p.m. potluck supper followed by a worship service with Holy Communion. The Easter Vigil and Easter Morning Worship round out the Triduum.
Giving, Planned Gifts, and the Legacy Society
South Salem Presbyterian accepts tax-deductible donations by check (made payable to South Salem Presbyterian Church and mailed to P.O. Box 399 or dropped off at the church office) and by interbank direct payment via Zelle through the church's online banking services, using the ID bookkeeper@southsalempc.org. Gifts of appreciated stock may be made electronically through a broker or by signing over physical certificates; instructions and a transfer letter are available from the office.
The SSPC Legacy Society invites members and friends to consider including the church in their wills, as a beneficiary of a revocable trust, a retirement plan, or a life insurance policy. The tax law also permits people age 70½ and older to give up to $100,000 per year from an IRA directly to the church without paying income taxes on the distribution. A legacy brochure can be downloaded or requested from the church office.
Leadership, Session, and Deacons
The Council, functioning as the governing board, is responsible for the governance and spiritual welfare of the congregation. Members are elected to three-year terms and together form the Session. The current Clerk of Session is Eliza Fraser Travalino. The Class of 2026 includes Richard Cochran and Samantha Zaffiro; the Class of 2027 includes Rebekah Habinowski, Chris Jessup, and James M. Dodge III; and the Class of 2028 includes Deb Buscema. Standing committees include Christian Education (Samantha Zaffiro), Corporate Affairs (Liza Fraser Travalino), and Buildings and Grounds (James M. Dodge III). James M. Dodge III serves as Corporation President, and Deb Buscema serves as Treasurer.
The Board of Deacons includes Alison Green, Althea Green (Youth Deacon), Brooke Habinowski, Anne Hill, Kelly Kim, Brendan Mulligan, Robyn Musicant, and Katie Watkins. Together they coordinate the care and witness of the congregation and can be reached through the church office or at Deacons@southsalempc.org. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Session can be reached at Session@southsalempc.org.
Interfaith and Community Witness
Because of its central location and community character, the church has long been a natural gathering place for interfaith services. After September 11, services held at South Salem drew many from the community looking for comfort in the word of God and in the presence of friends. Following the Haiti earthquake, members and friends of the church assembled "Gift of the Heart" hygiene kits together. For many years the church hosted Catholic Masses and CCD, and for eight years it was also home to the Jewish Family Congregation until JFC established its own building. Today the church hosts The Sanctuary Series, which brings world-class classical musicians to perform for local audiences in the heart of the historic hamlet.
The Burial Ground and Local History
Surrounding the church is a historic burial ground that includes the graves of twenty-seven Revolutionary War soldiers, a number of veterans of the French and Indian War, and an unbroken record of South Salem families going back to the 1700s. Among the more notable markers is that of Gould Hawley, who served as South Salem's first postmaster and, at his death in 1864, had served longer than any other postmaster in the United States. The church maintains a full Registry of Graves, an Eagle Scout project of Kevin Piro of Lewisboro BSA Troop One, with photographs and inscriptions for each grave.
Visiting South Salem Presbyterian
Worship takes place at 111 Spring Street, at the corner of Spring and Main Streets in the hamlet of South Salem, in Lewisboro, New York, about an hour north of Manhattan and on the border with Ridgefield, Connecticut. There is always plenty of parking. Office hours run Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the telephone number is (914) 763-9282. The mailing address is P.O. Box 399, South Salem, NY 10590. Those joining from afar can watch the Sunday livestream on Facebook and stay connected through the Friday morning email blast. Visitors, newcomers, and Friends of SSPC are always welcome.