The priest is not necessary to come to know Christ.
The Holy Spirit guides us.
It is also the Holy Spirit who seals us when we are saved according to Ephesians 1:13-14. The Greek behind these verses is really, really powerful.
Further, membership in a church is not required for salvation....it is faith in Christ that is required.
You mention the Holy Spirit.
Christ breathed on them — the apostles — and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit, whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven, whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”