Library Hours and location: 

Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 9:00 a.m.–12 noon
You can watch the livestream of the worship service in the JPW Library every Sunday morning! Come, have a coffee, and relax in our beautiful church library. We also have a fun play area (with books of course) for toddlers!

Closed Friday and Saturday

We are located beneath the Meeting House of First Church, West Hartford. For security reasons doors into building are locked, but if you ring the door bell at the Rotunda Entrance, which is behind the building, where the parking lot is located, someone will buzz you into building! Walk down the hall to the left, to the elevator or stairs. Go to the 2nd floor. Follow signs to the JPW Library!

Our number:

860-232-3893

The JPWL is open to the public!

Come in, check out and/or return books, browse the stacks, read the newspaper, and get on our free wi-fi!

Jennifer and Molly will be glad to help you.

We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful library!

Contact the John P. Webster Library

For questions and assistance, please email us at jpwebster@whfirstchurch.org

You can reach the John P. Webster Library via phone at:
(860) 232-3893

Mailing Address:
John P. Webster Library at First Church, West Hartford
12 S. Main St.
West Hartford, CT 06107

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JPWL’s Lazarus Books – Where Used Books Find New Life

Come and browse the JPW Library’s used-book corner. Library discards, donated books, leftover book group books, and more – all for a freewill donation! AND we send all donations to Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford, dedicated to “transforming lives through literacy by empowering adults to read, learn, work and grow.”

Five Wishes Booklets Available at the JPW Library

Five Wishes is a living will in which you consider your personal, emotional, and spiritual needs as well as your medical wishes. It is an easy-to-use complete form developed with help from the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging. Once it is filled out and properly signed it is valid in most states, including CT. Five Wishes helps you begin the necessary conversations about your end-of-life care with your loved ones. The booklets are available for free at the JPW Library. More information, including the option to purchase a digital version of the document, is available at fivewishes.org.

Senior Resource Manual

The JPWL Senior Resource Manual was developed in 2017 by FCWH member Julia Rosa, R.N., to assist those who may be experiencing challenges associated with aging. The Senior Resource Manual addresses Care Options, Aging at Home, Transportation, Managing Illness, Spirituality, and Legal Concerns for elders and their families. It contains descriptions and definitions, helpful tips, contact information for organizations that deal with elder care, and much more. 

A section on Downsizing was recently added after other FCWH members accomplished the gargantuan challenge of clearing out homes with over 50 years of accumulated belongings. This section has tips on how and where to donate, sell, consign, and otherwise off-load the stuff we collect over our lives. Jennifer deSimas and Julia are planning to embark on revising the manual in the coming months. In the meantime, Julia hopes that what is presented will serve as a beginning point for further investigation. “As we all become older, there is a possibility that we, or those we love and care for, may need assistance. Our hope is that you find this support at First Church, West Hartford, ‘whoever you are and wherever you are on your life’s journey.’” 

Original booklet is located in the library and you are welcome to come sit and view it. It’s  also available to view by clicking image here.

Please do not reproduce or copy this material. Thank you

Recent Acquisitions to the Archives 

We are pleased to share that we recently added several significant items to the JPWL Archives. The materials include a Bible inscribed “William A. Burr of West Hartford, June 29th 1846,” a small hymnal (Happy Voices, ca. 1840) inscribed “C.W. Mallory,” and, significantly, two meeting house pew diagrams dated 1814 and 1834. 

The pew diagrams are especially exciting to have because they give us a glimpse of church cultural norms in the early 19th century. We can see who sat near the front during services and meetings — and who sat in the back. “Mr. Perkins’ Pew” is clearly noted, as is a section for “Old Maids.” 

The items were donated by Ms. Tena Benson, the great granddaughter of Rev. Thomas M. Hodgdon, who was pastor of First Church from 1891 to 1926. Ms. Benson, of Milwaukee, WI described finding the materials in a trunk filled with old books and papers that her mother had intended to donate to First Church. This is the second group of items from the family; in 2017 Ms. Benson donated two boxes of antique books (Bibles, songbooks, religious instruction guides), and a wonderful quilt dedicated to Rev. Hodgdon that had been “signed” (stitched) by members of the church at his retirement. 

We are delighted to add these valuable documents and books to our already outstanding historical collection, and we hope to have them on display in the near future.

Located beneath the First Church Meeting House, the JPWL is the go-to place for books and media related to sermons, Sunday School, social justice issues, and so much more!

Phone: 860-232-3893

Email: jpwebster@whfirstchurch.org

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