The Rev. Charles Todd Newberry III

The Rev. Charles T. Newberry III of Harwich Port, a beloved local pastor who served parishes across the Cape for over four decades, died peacefully on June 8, 2025 at age 84 after a brief illness.
Terry, as he was known to all, will be best remembered for his gentle nature and a life of service to his community that went well beyond his parishes. From 1985 to 2006 he served as the Senior Minister at First Congregational Church UCC of Harwich.
A love of the sea was a hallmark of Terry’s life. He spent many summers sailing on the Cape as a boy, eventually rising to become Junior commodore and sailing instructor at Stone Horse Yacht Club during his years at Brown University.
After college, Terry sought out the sea again. From November 1962 until March 1966, he served as an officer in the United States Naval Reserve. He served with distinction aboard the USS Canisteo and the USCGC Yamacraw and on the staff of the Commandant, Third Naval District, based in New York City.
His experiences in the navy led Terry to pursue a life of service. In 1966 Terry enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary, earning his M. Div in 1969. On the first day of his second-year term in seminary, Terry met Barbara Groff a new first year seminary student. Their fifth date ended with a proposal. They wed in 1968 over Christmas vacation and shared 56 wonderful years together.
The new couple’s first pastoral posting was in Watsontown, Pa., where Terry served as minister of the First Presbyterian Church from 1969 to 1973. During their time in Watsontown, his beloved daughter, Abigail, was born. A stint as an associate minister at the Reformed Church of Bronxville, NY followed.
Once again, however, Terry felt the tug of the sea. In 1976 the family moved to the Cape for good. In addition to his years at First Congregational Church in Harwich, Terry served as chaplain at Cape Cod Hospital and in a series of interim positions in North Truro, West Tisbury, Chatham, Harwich Port and Marion – the farthest from home he would ever stray.
Terry’s ministry was characterized by a strong sense of ecumenism and service outside of church. He was a driving force for affordable housing and programs like Meals on Wheels. He served as a Trustee of The Harwich Food Pantry from its founding in 1989 until 2017. During his ministry at First Church in Harwich he worked actively to define the church as Open and Affirming. Due to Terry’s efforts First Church in Harwich became the first church on Cape Cod to become Open and Affirming.
The Cape community knew Terry as a warm, gregarious person. He was that and then some. But he was also a very private person who loved to read and cook more than anything. Several Christmases Terry put his skills to work making gingerbread villages to display in Barbara’s children’s shop, Abigail’s Children’s Boutique in Osterville.
Terry was an instrumental part of the founding and leadership of Harwich Ecumenical Council for the Homeless (HECH) an insightful program for affordable housing. Terry often talked about one of his favorite moments, dressing up as Santa in the early years of HECH. He delivered toys off of the children’s wish lists at their homes and a Christmas party for the families. He loved to see others joy.
Daughter Abigail today directs The Children’s Center, which Terry co-founded in 1993 as part of the Harwich Ecumenical Council for the Homeless (HECH).  The Children’s Center, is now in its 32nd year and provides an affordable high quality preschool program for working families in our community. Terry loved that! He was very involved and always supportive of The Children’s Center and Abigail.
In addition to his wife Barbara and daughter Abigail, Terry is survived by his much loved son-in-law Jason West and his beloved Bichon Frisé “Tizzie.”
A Celebration of Terry’s life will be held on Saturday June 28th at 1pm at The First Congregational Church of Chatham, MA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Terry’s memory be made to The Children’s Center 115 Sisson Road Harwich Port, MA 02646 Attention: Abigail Newberry-West.
Notes of comfort may be made to his family at www.chapmanfuneral.com