Posted by Richard Naumann on Oct 17, 2017
Central Baptist Church of Westerly
16 Elm Street, Westerly, RI   02891
Phone: (401) -596-4929     


Dr. Clayton (Cal) Lord grew up in Colchester, Connecticut and graduated from UCONN with a Bachelor of 
Liberal Arts Degree in Sociology and a minor in Human Development and Family Relations.  He went on to 
receive his Master of Divinity Degree from Andover Newton Theological School in 1984 and went back to 
Andover Newton and received his Doctor of Ministry in 1996.

Pastor Cal was called to serve the Cross Mills Baptist Church in Charlestown, Rhode Island in September 
1983 and served there for two years. In 1985 he was ordained by the First Baptist Church of Lebanon, 
Connecticut and shortly afterwards he was called to serve as the Pastor of the 
First Baptist Church of 
Norwich, Connecticut. He planned to stay for about five years but he fell in love with the people and the 
community and he stayed. In October of 2008 he became the longest standing pastor of that church. In his 
time in Norwich he served in various capacities within the American Baptist family and in the wider 
community. His resume includes service as the President of the 
American Baptist Churches of Connecticut
Senator to the National Minister's Council and President of the Norwich Rotary Club.  

In 2003 his "Weekly Pastoral Epistles" became a regular feature in the 
Norwich Bulletin as part of the "Spirit 
Page" on Fridays. Today he is published in as many as 18 different newspapers each week.  In 2007 he 
published his second book, a collection of sermons entitled, 
God is Rock Solid, through CSS Publishing.

On Monday, March 7, 2011 Pastor Cal began his service with us and we hope he will enjoy a long and 
fruitful tenure as the pastor of the Central Baptist Church of Westerly, Rhode Island.

Since his arrival in Westerly, Pastor Cal has already gotten involved and is becoming an active leader in the 
community. He is an member, and Past President of the 
Westerly Rotary Club, a member of the 
Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Clergy Association. He is the chair of the 
National Day of Prayer celebration co-chair of the Community Easter Sunrise Service in town.

We have enjoyed outdoor worship services, mini dramas in worship, and a renewed sense of community on 
Sunday mornings. We are delighted to have him serving with us. Come visit us any Sunday and meet him 
and you will see why.

At the present time Pastor Cal lives in Norwich.  He and his wife, Lori, have been married thirty plus years 
and have three lovely daughters, Rebecca, Sarah and Rachel. They currently share their home with Anna,

Sponsors