St. John’s Parish was formed in 1680, with one of the two original churches located in the present Town of West Point. In 1734 the two churches were consolidated in a new brick building constructed approximately 10 miles northwest of West Point on Route 30.

The parish flourished in the mid-18th century with an active congregation which included Carter Braxton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Following the Revolutionary War, the church disbanded and the colonial building was used by other denominations. The 1734 building is still standing and owned by the Trustees of St. John’s, West Point. It is now called Old St. John’s Church.

The St. John’s Restoration Association, an interdenominational group, many of the members of which are also members of St. John’s, West Point, is sponsoring reconstruction and restoration of Old St. John’s. Annually, on the fourth Sunday in September, we hold a homecoming worship service at the colonial church, followed by lunch on the grounds. Old St. John’s is also available for services, weddings, meetings and special events, subject to approval by St. John’s clergy and the St. John’s Restoration Association.

In the local economic boom period in the late 19th century, a new Episcopal congregation formed in the present Town of West Point. In 1879, the present site of St. John’s Church was acquired and in 1882 a small church was built on the site. That small church remains the core of the existing church building.

For many years prior to 1950, one priest, residing in West Point, preached every Sunday morning at St. John’s and on alternate afternoons held services at lmmanuel, King and Queen Courthouse, and St. David’s, Aylett (both about twenty miles from West Point). This was changed when St. David’s was yoked with another church and both St. John’s and Immanuel were able to have weekly Sunday morning services led by their shared rector. For several years after that, the rector of St. John’s also served the small congregation at Immanuel.