Gillette was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia on May 28, 1961. She grew up in a Methodist family, and her father was a graduate of Drew Seminary. She was baptized and confirmed in Methodist congregations. She graduated from United Methodist Church-related Lebanon Valley College. She and her husband Bruce are graduates for Princeton Theological Seminary. They are the parents of three children and four grandchildren.
External links
"Carolyn Gillette talks to Joshua Rothman About Writing Hymns in Tragic Times" on Politics and More Podcast at The New Yorker website.