Samuel Worcester (theologian)

Samuel Worcester (October 1, 1770 – June 7, 1821) was an American Congregational clergyman and theologian. He played a significant role in the development of American missions and was a key figure in the Trinitarian movement within Congregationalism, opposing Unitarian theology.

Worcester was born in Hollis, New Hampshire. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1795 and was ordained as pastor of the Tabernacle Church in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1798, a position he held until 1819.

Worcester was a strong proponent of foreign missions and was instrumental in the founding of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) in 1810. He served as its corresponding secretary from 1811 until his death. In this role, he managed the Board's affairs, corresponded with missionaries, and helped shape the organization's policies.

His theological writings focused on defending orthodox Trinitarianism against the rise of Unitarianism in New England. He published numerous sermons and pamphlets addressing theological issues and engaging in debates with Unitarian leaders. Worcester was a prominent voice advocating for a more disciplined and orthodox Calvinism.

His declining health led him to resign his pastorate in Salem in 1819. He subsequently traveled to Brainerd Mission, a mission station among the Cherokee Indians in present-day Tennessee, hoping to improve his condition. However, he died there in 1821. His work significantly influenced the development of evangelical missions and the course of American religious history in the 19th century.