After a two-year process that screened more than 40 potential candidates, First Congregational Church in Bristol has a new parish leader. The Rev. Burton Bagby-Grose moved to Bristol last week and officially began his duties on Wednesday, Jan. 3. His first service was Sunday, Jan. 7.

The Rev. Bagby-Grose was most recently pastor at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Corpus Christi, Texas. He earned a Master of Divinity Degree from the UCC-affiliated Andover-Newton Theological School, where he majored in Pastoral Counseling.  He majored in public relations in college, with a minor in speech and broadcast journalism.

Pastor Burton is a second career minister, having worked as a Congressional Aide for the United States Congress, where he earned the Hammer Award for Reinventing Government from Vice-President Al Gore.  He has also served as communications director for Houston At-Large City Councilmember Chris Bell and headed two Houston revitalization non-profits.

Growing up in one of the most heavily Jewish areas in the country, he has maintained a lifelong commitment to interfaith dialogue.

“And I’m passionate about interfaith dialogue,” Pastor Burton said during his Bristol screening process. “We’re loving all our neighbors by bringing Muslims, Christians and Jews to the table to eat together and learn together for the first time in Corpus Christi.” Pastor Burton’s church has hosted Iftar dinners and sponsored the Corpus Christi premiere of “Besa: The Promise,” a documentary about Muslims saving Jews during the Holocaust. 

A descendent of Congregational colonial clergy, Pastor Burton loves American history, both early and recent. He and his husband, Ron, grew to love the snow while attending seminary in New England. Pastor Burton and Ron have a daughter Rosalee, who is 8. They enjoy travel, hiking and playing with their three Scottish Terriers named Angus, Fiona and Louisa.