Grace Church in Salem
385 Essex Street
Salem MA 01970
978-744-2796
office@gracechurchsalem.org
The Rev. Deborah Phillips, Rector
Mark Engelhardt, Lay Associate
Our Staff
The Rector
The Reverend Deborah Phillips has been the Rector since 1997. A graduate of both Boston University and the Episcopal Divinity School (where she received the Excellence in Preaching Award), she was ordained a priest in 1992 and has served three other parishes in the Diocese. Prior to her ordination, Debbie was a math teacher serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malaysia, and teaching in the Woburn, MA Public Schools and at Shore Country Day School in Beverly, MA. Debbie enjoys serving the Diocese as a member of Diocesan Council representing the North Shore Deanery, as co-chair of the Evangelism Network, and as co-leader with Bishop Gayle on pilgrimages to the Holy Land. She has been co-chair of the Social Ministries/Public Policy Mission of the Diocese, and part of the Transition Committee for the Consecration of the Bishop. She is actively involved in her community. Debbie has served on the board of the Salem Harbor Community Development Corporation, and was past president of both the Essex County Community Organization and Help for Abused Women and their Children. (She also plays tennis for Bass River Tennis Club in Beverly). Debbie, her husband Eric, and their dog Dublin live in the Collins Cove Neighborhood of Salem.
Director of Music
Larry Kamp is our Director of Music. Larry has served as a church musician in the Boston area since 1978 and previously served churches in Revere, Newburyport, Milton, Brockton, and Peabody. Larry received his Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from Houghton College and did post-graduate work at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge. He holds the Master of Sacred Music Degree from Boston University School of Theology. Larry was also a member of the faculty at the School of Theology from 1987 – 1994, where he taught, served as the Director of the Seminary Singers, School of Theology chapel organist at Marsh Chapel, and directed the Church Music Training Program. Larry was the Music Director of the Braintree Choral Society from 1987 – 1990. He is currently on the faculty at Gordon College as an Adjunct Professor of Education where he teaches courses on urban and inner-city education in the undergraduate and graduate programs. Larry also taught at North Shore Christian School in Lynn (MA) for thirty-one years where he held positions as a classroom teacher, music director, theater director, coach, and administrator. Larry and his family live in Lynn.
Our Sextons
Tom and Karen Tucker are our Sextons who reverently take care of our buildings and grounds. The Tuckers also host many of our hospitality events, preparing the coffee each week for our Coffee Hour. Karen and Tom are not only members of Grace Church, but live in the apartment, so the Parish House is also their home. We are fortunate to have such wonderful stewards of our buildings and grounds.