Rev. John Pierpont served as the minister of the First Congregational Church of Williamsburg as the 19th century ended and the 20th century began. He was invited to preach in May 1897 and thus began his ministry as the original 1836 stately meeting house was undergoing a beautiful renewal funded by Helen E. Field James, a dedicated member of the congregation. It was Rev. Pierpont who gave the address “The Present Work, its Inception, Fulfillment and Promise” at the January 26, 1898, dedicatory service in the newly renovated church. The photograph from c. 1919 shows the meetinghouse with the newly added chapel and bell tower.
Rev. Pierpont was formally installed later in 1898 on June 15th. He offered the blessing during Old Home Week in September 1910 when the memorial stone was placed on the site of the original 1779 meeting house on Village Hill. It was also during his time that the church became incorporated, in February 1919. Rev. Pierpont faithfully served his congregation for 23 years, ending his pastorate on December 31, 1920.
Born in 1859, Rev. Pierpont first married Mary Lindergreen Bassett and after her death in 1926, he married Eva Augusta Porter. He died in 1942; she survived him by 22 years.
This photograph of Rev. Pierpont and his wife Mary, from c. 1919, show an informal family scene with the minister reading and Mary knitting in front of the fireplace mantle decorated with photographs and family memorabilia. It is from Wednesday, November 26, 1919, and labeled “the night before Thanksgiving at the parsonage.”
Rev. and Mrs. Pierpont were among the people of the town devoted to Mrs. James and offered this image as part of a Friendship Calendar “Presented to Mrs. Helen E. James by the people of Williamsburg in appreciation and love.” Personal greetings, photographs and drawings covered every date. The calendar is on permanent deposit in Meekins from the Williamsburg Historical Society. Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.
Posted to Facebook 6/12/2025