Which village minister's house was the epicenter of the initial accusations?

The village minister whose house became the epicenter of the initial accusations was Samuel Parris.

Parris served as the minister of Salem Village, now Danvers, Massachusetts. In early 1692, his nine-year-old daughter Betty Parris and his eleven-year-old niece Abigail Williams began experiencing frightening fits in the Parris household. Their behavior was interpreted by neighbors and ministers as evidence of supernatural affliction.

The household also included Tituba, an enslaved woman owned by Parris, and her husband, John Indian. Under intense pressure, Tituba confessed to witchcraft and described other supposed witches. Her confession helped transform a household mystery into a widening series of accusations. Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne were soon arrested alongside her.

Parris was not merely a passive observer. He supported the prosecution, helped question the events surrounding the girls’ afflictions, and delivered sermons portraying the crisis as a struggle against the Devil. Later, his role made him controversial within the congregation. He resigned from Salem Village in 1696 after disputes connected to the trials and his ministry. The first accusations began in his home, but the subsequent trials spread far beyond it.