The First Congregational Church of Rochester has hired Rev. Robert Ripley as its new senior pastor beginning March 31. Ripley and his wife Peggy will be relocating to the area from Bangor, Maine. He was ordained on March 18, 1978 and has been active within the ministry for over 30 years.

Although Bangor has been his home for the past several years, Ripley is familiar with Massachusetts and served as pulpit supply in Hanson, Whitman, Randolph and Braintree. His other ministerial duties have included youth pastor and interim minister. In addition to his ministerial duties, Ripley has taught professionally in two Christian schools in Alabama.

Ripley attended what was then known as Glen Cove Bible College (now New England Bible College) and majored in biblical studies with a minor in missions. He graduated from Glen Cove in 1977 with a degree in religious education. After graduating from Glenn Cove, he continued his religious education and attended Pensacola Christian College where he received a bachelor’s degree in Christian liberal arts in 1984.

Since the spring of 2010, the Ripleys have ministered in Bangor.

Rev. Ripley’s selection and acceptance comes after an 18-month process of interviews and prayerful consideration by the Rochester Congregational Pulpit Search Committee. Ripley will be following in a long tradition of pastors in Rochester going back to Rev. Samuel Arnold who was the first pastor of the Rochester Congregational Church in 1703.

For the past year and a half, the Rev. Glenn Stone has been the interim pastor.

The First Congregational Church of Rochester is a Christian church. Sunday morning services begin at 10:30 a.m.