Three miles beyond the Parker River bridge is the Upper Green of Newbury. Just beyond
it, on the
left, is the current First Parish Church of Newbury. It was gathered by the settlers
in 1635 with Rev. Thomas Parker as pastor and Rev. James Noyes as his deputy ("Teacher").
Rev. Parker was influential in the formation of the settlement: the river was
named in his honor; and the name of this site in "New" England was chosen as "Newbury"
as he had served there before coming to Massachusetts.
The current church building dates from the middle of the 19th century. The First
Burial Ground of the church is directly across the street.