Meetinghouse

After the permanent homes were built in the spring, the Pilgrims built the meetinghouse. The meetinghouse was a two-story wooden building that was used as a place of worship (it had a pulpit and benches) and as a gathering place for meetings. When the men arrived for meetings some of them sat in special chairs that had a triangular seat. These chairs made it possible for the men to sit comfortably with their swords still in their sheaths and at the same time not cause any obstruction.

The meetinghouse also served as a fortification. It was built on a hill with the second floor housing the cannon of the Mayflower. The cannon was placed on wheels so it could readily be moved to any of the wooden windows that slid open horizontally. The second floor was a terrific vantage point since one could see for great distances. Two sliding windows faced the ocean and the others faced north, south, and west.

One rule in the agreement (Mayflower Compact) that the Pilgrims had made before they disembarked the Mayflower stated that everyone in the village had to attend church services every Sunday. Consequently, each Sunday the villagers were summoned to worship at the meetinghouse by the beat of a drum. The militia led the march to the meetinghouse, followed by the governor, the preacher, and finally the villagers. Services lasted all day long. A dinner was served between the morning and afternoon services.