Career
He was a clergyman, theologian, art collector and philanthropist. He served as pastor of the Philadelphia Society of The Lord"s New Church until 1960, when leadership of the church passed to Philip North. Odhner. Pitcairn continued to serve as a leader of the church until his death.
Pitcairn traveled extensively in Europe, where he further developed his keen interest in fine art
He acquired paintings by El Greco, Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh. Thomas Hoving, former Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, described meeting the Reverend Pitcairn in the course of negotiating the purchase of Garden at Sainte-Adresse by Claude Monet.
Theodore and Maryke (September 7, 1905 - November 10, 1978) were the parents of nine children. Many of Smit"s paintings hung in the Pitcairns" home in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania.
Pitcairn"s love of antiquities is evident in the art studio he built on his estate.
Designed by famed Philadelphia architect, George Howe, the building incorporates 12th century French stone columns and an Italian stone-carved fireplace. Heavy wooden doors are embellished with ironwork by the eminent metalworker, Samuel Yellin.