In the fall of 1953, M. De Witt Safford, a leader in the United Presbyterian Church, arrived in Salem with a vision: to establish a new congregation in South Salem. A dedicated committee from First Presbyterian Church, led by Arthur Myers, began planning, and in 1955, they purchased 5.2 acres on Boulder Knoll—the future home of Westminster.

Rev. J. Dwight Russell was sent as the organizing pastor, gathering families from South Salem and about 50 households from First Presbyterian to form the core of the new church. With an $85,000 loan and a modified building plan, construction began in April 1956.

Before the building was complete, the congregation met for vesper services on the lawn of the pastor’s home (the "manse"), with an electronic organ set up in the back of a truck! Mary Johnson and Sara Howells served as organists, while Wally Johnson led the singing.

On Thanksgiving Day 1956, the church held its first worship service in the newly completed building. By February 10, 1957, Westminster was officially organized with 215 charter members—and made history by becoming self-supporting from day one, a rare achievement at the time!

Over the years, we’ve grown and adapted, adding our current sanctuary in 1986 and expanding with Boulder Hall and a new kitchen in 2010.