SALISBURY — A local pastor has been charged with sexual battery after a woman said he inappropriately touched her.

Kenneth Darrell Worley, 56, of the 700 block of Foil Street, Granite Quarry, was charged Tuesday with misdemeanor sexual battery stemming from a February incident.

The victim and Worley, who is senior pastor at New Hope Baptist Church on Choate Road, met at the hospital and struck up a conversation. They went back to her home where she confided in him. The two studied the Bible and police say at some point he “inappropriately touched” the woman. The incident was reported Feb. 2.

Worley turned himself in to authorities and was issued a written promise to appear in court June 6.