The Reverend Dr. Tristan J. Salley is a native of Hartford, Connecticut and is the proud Pastor of the St. Paul AME Church in Rockville Centre, NY where he has served since his appointment in September 2018. 

 

As a lifelong AME, Dr. Salley has served the church on all levels, most notably as the First Vice President of the First District Young People’s and Children’s Division (YPD) from 2006-2013, and as a member of the General Board of the AME Church from 2008-2012. Dr. Salley attributes his love of African Methodism to the support and encouragement of those who saw something in him and pushed him to grow.

 

Dr. Salley was ordained an Itinerate Deacon in April 2015 at the 164th Session of the New England Annual Conference and an Itinerate Elder in May 2016 at the 20th Session of the Western New York Annual Conference by the Right Reverend Gregory G.M. Ingram.

 

Dr. Salley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Hartford, a Master of Divinity degree from Payne Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Additionally, Dr. Salley has successfully completed additional studies as a Lewis Fellow at Wesley Theological Seminary and Foundations of Christian Leadership Cohort #25 of the Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

 

Outside of the church, Dr. Salley has been a member of numerous non-profit and governmental organizations and has served in many leadership capacities. In addition to his local community outreach, where he serves as a member of the Nassau County Police Department’s Commissioners Community Council and is an active member of the Lakeview Branch of the NAACP, Dr. Salley was elected to serve as the President of the AME Ministerial Alliance of New York and Vicinity.

 

Prior to his most recent pastoral appointment, Dr. Salley served as the Pastor of the historic Delaine-Waring African Methodist Episcopal Church in Buffalo, New York where at the time of his appointment, was the youngest pastor in the church’s storied history.

 

Dr. Salley is married to Lady Ina, and they are the proud parents of three children, Morgan Iyana, Brelan James and Tristan II “Deuce”.