Andover's West Parish Church has had 23 senior pastors since its founding in 1826. A new historical feature published Friday, July 17, profiles every one of them, tracing two centuries of faith and community change at the stone church on Reservation Road.

The building itself earned the local nickname "the stone church" for its walls built of stone to the eaves. A historical account of an 1899 bicycle trip through Andover describes the structure in those terms, and it still stands at 129 Reservation Road.

Local historian Gail Ralston wrote the feature as part of the church's yearlong 200th anniversary celebration, themed "Celebrating Our Journey of Faith." Ralston, who also serves on Andover's 250th Anniversary Committee, chronicled how each pastor reflected the congregation's evolving needs.

The longest-serving pastor was Rev. Newman Matthews, who led West Parish for 24 years from 1914 to 1938. A Phillips Academy, Harvard, and Bangor Theological Seminary graduate, Matthews shepherded the congregation through its 1926 centennial, heated debates over a new vestry, the gift of a new organ, and a building renovation. When he resigned, a farewell tribute noted he had ministered to three generations.

Rev. Tom McMillan, who served from 2004 to 2014, practiced law for 14 years before entering the ministry. He first majored in Religious Studies at Brown University but couldn't picture himself preaching. In Ralston's account, McMillan said the question that finally pushed him to the pulpit was: "What did I do this week that made the world a remotely better place?"

The current senior pastor, Rev. Katrina Wuensch, has led West Parish since 2016. She holds a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School and emphasizes outreach, education, and faith formation alongside a pastoral team.

Other pastors profiled include Rev. Otis Maxfield (1973–1981), a psychologist and professor at Andover Newton Theological Seminary who led a major expansion, and Rev. Norman E. Dubie Sr. (1967–1972), a World War II Army Medical Corps veteran. Rev. George Arthur Andrews (1899–1904), a "local boy" and Andover Theological Seminary graduate, was treated to a "bountiful dinner" by the ladies of the Christian Endeavor Society after his examination passed unanimously.

West Parish Church is a United Church of Christ congregation. Special anniversary services are planned for November 2026; specific dates have not yet been announced.

West Parish Church, 129 Reservation Road, Andover. Sunday services at 10 a.m. Call 978-475-3528 or visit westparishchurch.org for anniversary event updates.