USA > Rhode Island > Kent County > Warwick > Historical sketches of the churches of Warwick, Rhode Island > Part 5
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Nov. 16, 1842, the Council assembled, as called, at the Old Warwick Baptist Meeting House. It was consti- tuted as follows :-
First Providence .- Brethren, Pardon Miller, Hugh H. Brown, Oliver Johnson.
Second Providence .- Rev. Edward K. Fuller, brethren John Clemmons, John T. Lawton.
Third Providence .- Rev. Thorndike C. Jameson, brethren N. Mason, William C. Barker.
Pawtuxet .- Rev. - Bowen, brethren R. N. Niles, Reming- ton Smith.
Lippitt and Phenix .- Rev. J. Brayton, brethren R. W. At- wood, Nicholas T. Allen, Wm. B. Spencer.
East Greenwich .- Rev. J. H. Baker.
The Council, which had for Moderator, Rev. T. C. Jameson, and Rev. E. K. Fuller, Clerk, took the custom- ary action in such cases, and adjourned for public services of recognition, at 2 o'clock same day. It was duly held, Rev, J. H. Baker reading scriptures, Rev. T. C. Jameson preaching, Rev. E. K. Fuller offering prayer of recog- nition, Rev. J. Brayton giving the Hand of Fellowship, Rev. - Bowen addressing the Church, and Rev. J. E. Forbush offering the concluding prayer.
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SHAWOMET BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Church was constituted with thirteen members, whose names follow :
Rev. J. E. Forbush, (Pastor), Eliza H. Forbush, Benjamin Greene, Frances Greene, John Holden, Hester B. Holden, Welthy Potter, Sarah Potter Greene, Sally Greene, Elizabeth Stafford, Waite Lippitt Greene, Sally Holden Low, Sally Low Holden.
Four of the above list survive, and are still members of the church, viz .: John Holden, Hester B. Holden, Sally Greene, and Sally H. Low.
At the first meeting of the recognized church, Benja- min Greene was chosen Deacon, and John Holden, Clerk.
In March, 1845, Mr. Forbush closed his labors as pas- tor, removing to Westminster, Mass. During these two and a half years, the church was increased by two bap- tized and three added by letter. Two were dismissed and one died, leaving two, net gain-15 members. In September, of the same year, the church united with the Warren Association.
Rev. Alfred Colburn was Mr. Forbush's successor for three years from October, 1845. In this period, some revival interest brought eight additions to the church by baptism, and one by experience. Seven were also added by letter. There being only one diminution, dismissed ; the net result was a doubling of the membership, 30.
In April, 1848, John W. Greene was elected clerk, holding and honoring the office until April, 1873, since which time the pastor has served as clerk.
After a year and a half of pastoral vacancy, in April, 1850, Rev. George A. Willard, commenced the longest pastorate of the church's history, nine years, closing in May, 1859. It was not only long (for this church, ) but measurably prosperous. Nearly every year of its contin- uance, there were conversions and baptisms.
In 1851, the parsonage house was built at an expense of $1,400, on a half acre lot, the gift of Warren Lippitt, Esq., of Providence. At the same time the church was incorporated under the name of the "Shawomet Baptist. Church, of Warwick."
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CHURCHES OF WARWICK, R. I.
The changes in membership in the church in these nine years were : Additions by baptism, 28 ; by letter, 3-31. Diminutions, 14 dismissed, and 7 died-21. Increase, 10, leaving a total of 40.
In April, 1859, Deacon Benjamin Greene, removing from the place and the church, was succeeded in his office by Brother John W. Greene, who held it till March, 1871, when he was succeeded by the present Deacon, Elisha Farnham, who is also Sunday School Superin- tendent.
For about three years, commencing March, 1860, Rev. Henry G. Stewart served as pastor. In this time, there were added 3 by baptism, 1 by experience, and 4 by letter-8. There were 4 diminutions, 1 death, 2 dismis- sions, and 1 exclusion ; leaving a membership of 44.
After one year of supplies, Rev. E. Hayden Watrous commenced service as pastor in March, 1864. His brief term of two years-he resigned in February, 1866, to go to Lonsdale-was marked by the most fruitful revival in the history of the church. The baptisms were 18; and 5 were added by letter-23. The diminutions in the same time were 13; 5 by death and 8 dismissed, leaving a net increase of 10, and a membership of 54.
From March, 1866, Rev. Charles H. Ham, of Provi- dence, served the church one year, as stated supply. In this year, 1 was baptized, 4 dismissed, and 1 died ; leav- ing a membership of 50.
For a little more than two years, until November, 1868, the church depended upon temporary supplies. During this period, there were no additions, while there were 8 diminutions ; 3 by death, 4 by dismission, and 1 by exclusion, reducing the total to 42.
In November, 1868, the church invited Rev. J. Torrey Smith, of Woodstock, Ct., to assume the pastoral charge. Without accepting the call, he served them as stated supply till July, 1869, when he accepted and removed hither.
The present pastorate, has been a term, largely, of discouraging up hill work, relieved occasionally by fea-
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SHA WOMET BAPTIST CHURCH.
tures of success. No large revival has been enjoyed, yet the word has not been without as positive and marked fruit as is ever seen. During the six years there have been two seasons of increased religious interest, resulting in 16 additions by baptism. There have been also 6 additions by letter-22. The diminutions in the six years have been 15-12 dismissed, and 3 deaths. Net increase, 7 ; which makes the present membership, 49. (This is two less than our last report, but this is the present number by the list.)
At the commencement of the present pastorate, exter- nal conveniences for the support of worship were very defective. The parsonage had been built twenty-four years, and had never received much repair. During Mr. Willard's occupancy of it, a boy's boarding school was kept in it, and after Mr. Stewart left, it was occupied, not by a pastor, but by temporary tenants, until 1869. Thorough repairs being needed, more than five hundred dollars have been raised, and expended upon it.
For the first thirty years of the church's history it had no place of worship which it could, in any sense, call its own. The " Old Warwick Baptist Meeting House " was built in 1829 by proprietors, by whom, as a corpor- ation, under that name, it is owned and held. The charter gave a privileged use to the Baptist Church of the place, which, at that time, was the Six Principle Church, in its waning condition.
When this church was organized in 1842, the Six Principle Church being quite feeble, and hastening to its apparant extinction, a considerable proportion of the members and families interested in the new organization were proprietors in the house. Quietly and by general consent this body succeeded to the use of the house, which they continued to use without interruption, as if it was their own. But by 1870 it had got quite out of repair, and was hardly comfortable or decent to use. But the proprietors could not be brought to any united action to repair it. The proprietors in the church were unwilling to spend their money upon a property which
6
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CHURCHES OF WARWICK, R. I.
the church had no corporate right or interest in. A project for building a house for the church, on a lot given them for the purpose by Marshall Woods, Esq., of Providence, failed of accomplishing anything for want of a sufficient and united interest in it. Nothing, then, remained but to repair and use the existing house ; and this must be done, or the church must abandon her work.
To remove the obstacle which stood in the way of the previous effort of repairing, it became necessary to give the church, as a corporation, the essential ownership of the house. This was done by obtaining fiom individual owners of pews (i. e., proprietors, ) a transfer of their ownership to the church. By this means the church became a large and the controlling proprietor in the house. This being effected, there was no difficulty in securing a vote to repair the house, and assess the expense as a tax upon the pews. It was done to the expense, including a furnace for heating, of about $1,300. Some additional expense for furnishing was provided tlnough the church. For these jepairs of meeting-house and parsonage in these six years the church has expended above #2,000, holding its parsonage property and fully three-fourths of the meeting. house property as its own, free of debt. Four thousand dollars would be a moderate estimate of the value of this church property. Looking at the numbers and the resources of the church, it seems like so much created out of nothing.
A summary of the history shows the whole number of per- sons connected with this church, during these thirty-two years, to be 119. Of these were-
Constituent members 13
Added by baptism 76
Received by letter from other churches 28
Received on experience. 2-119
Of these-
Died while connected with the church 20
Dismissed to other churches 48
Excluded . 2 Prek nt members 49-119
This summary shows that this church has been
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PHENIX BAPTIST CHURCH.
literally a recruiting station. The great bulk of its membership have been baptized on the field. It has dismissed to other churches nearly double the number it has received from other churches, and within one of the number it retains in its own connection.
PHENIX BAPTIST CHURCH.
In the autumn of 1841, Rev. Jonathan Brayton, then ander appointment as a missionary of the R. I. Baptist State Convention, "to labor at Natick and vicinity," conferred with one of the residents of Phenix in reference to holding religious services in that vicinity. At the October meeting of the Convention, held in Wickford, the subject was brought up, and the Board appointed the Rev. Thomas Wilkes, then pastor of the Warwick and Coventry Church, a committee "to look over the ground and see how much money could be raised to sup- port preaching." Mc. Wilkes visited the villages of Phenix and Lippitt, and obtained subscriptions to the amount of $30, and meetings were immediately com- menced in the school house.
At the opening of the year 1842, a protracted meeting was commenced in the school-house, which soon became so interesting that all who wished to attend could not be accommodated. They then applied to the Meth- odist society, who were then occupying the "Tatem" meeting-house, owned by Deacon Josiah Chapin, of Providence, for permission to occupy that house, which was courteously granted for two weeks. " As the presence of God was visibly felt, and some souls were converted almost as soon as the meetings commenced, the brethren and sisters, (twenty five in number,) members of regular Baptist churches residing in the vicinity, on the evening of January 10, agreed to organize themselves into a church of Christ, and were publicly recognized as such, by appropriate religious services, on the 20th of the
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CHURCHES OF WARWICK, R. I.
same month .* The recognition services were held in the Tatem meeting-house before the two weeks granted them had expired. Rev. J. Dowling, D. D., preached the sermon; Rev. John H. Baker offered the prayer of recognition ; Rev. Thomas Wilkes gave the hand of fellowship, and Rev. J. R. Stone gave the charge to the church. The church assumed the name of "the Lippitt and Phenix Baptist Church of Warwick, R. I." The male members who entered into the organization were the following: Jonathan Brayton, Thomas S. Wightman, William B. Spencer, Jeremiah Franklin, John B. Tanner, Benjamin Gardiner, Richard Gorton, Stephen Greene and Robert Card ; the female members were Weltha Spencer, Susan C. Tanner, Abby L. Tan- ner, Amey Franklin, Susan Albro, Mary W. Johnson, Mary A. Snell, Penelope Thurston, Mary A. Griffin, Martha Shippee, Susan Greene, Abby A. Gorton, Eda Gorton, Phebe Frye, Mary Card, and Mary Pearce. There were nineteen other accepted candidates for admission, making a total of forty-four. On January 30th, twenty-nine persons were baptized, and the ordi- nance of baptism was administered for three successive Sabbaths afterwards. From January 30 to March 6, seventy-seven persons were baptized and united with the newly formed church.
Soon after the recognition of the church, the time having expired during which they were allowed the use of the Tatem meeting-house, they returned to the school- house, which was found too small to accommodate those who wished to attend. Arrangements were soon made with a view of building a meeting-house, and a committee appointed to attend to the matter. The lot was gene- rously given by the Manufacturing Company, and the committee contracted with Dea. Charles Shaw, of Providence, to build a house, thirty-six feet by forty- eight feet, for $1800. The church built the foundation walls and painted the house. The house was owned by
* Minutes R. I. Baptist State Convention, April, 1842.
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PHENIX BAPTIST CHURCH.
stockholders, who were to receive interest on the money contributed. The vestry was not finished for use until several years after the upper room was occupied. After the vestry had been fitted up and other improvements made, it was found that the whole expense had amounted to about $3000. The stock subsequently became the property of the church by gift and purchase, and thus remained until the meeting-house was sold.
Rev. Jonathan Brayton was the first pastor, continuing as such seven or eight years. "Rev. Frederick Charlton served the church about nine months, followed by Rev. George D. Crocker, for about the same length of time." Christopher Rhodes also supplied the church for several months, coming from Providence on Saturday, and returning the following Monday. Bro. Rhodes was then a surveyor of lumber in Providence, and devoted his Sabbaths to supplying destitute churches. The church were so well pleased with Bro. Rhodes, that they obtained his promise that if he should decide to give up his secular business and settle as pastor over any church, he would come to Phenix, a promise that he afterwards fulfilled.
In 1851, Rev. Benjamin F. Hedden, became pastor of the church, and continued thus for nearly four years, and was followed by Rev. Christopher Rhodes, whose pastorate continued from April, 1855, for about six years and a half.
In 1852, several of the brethren united and built a house for the pastor to live in, and rented it to the church, which arrangement continued until June, 1870, when the parsonage became the property of the church.
During the pastorate of Mr. Rhodes, the congregation had so increased that it was deemed advisable to either enlarge their house of worship, or to build a new one, and on March 5, 1859, they " voted, that it is expedient to enlarge our meeting-house," and a committee com- posed of Wm. B. Spencer, S. E. Card, and S. H. Bray- ton, were appointed to attend to altering and enlarging the house. After examining the house, it was thought
*6
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CHURCHES OF WARWICK, R. I.
best to sell it and build a new one. " March 19th, 1859, it was voted, that the building committee appointed on the 5th inst., be authorized and empowered to dispose of the meeting house and lot, or any part of the same, if they deem it for the interest of the church to do so, and on such terms as they think best, and if sold, they are hereby authorized to procure another lot and erect a meeting-house thereon, of such dimensions as will meet the wants of the church and society, the plans of said house being first approved by the church." The committee accordingly sold the meeting-house and lot for $1700, the church occupying it for the last time, October 2, 1859. At a meeting of the church, held August 6, 1859, " voted, that the committee appointed to sell the meeting-house and build a new one, be empowered to build such a house of worship, as in their judgment they think best." The lot upon which the church now stands was given by William B. Spencer. The committee contracted with Post & Tuesdell, of Rockville, Conn., who failed of carrying out the contract, when the matter returned to the committee, and after various delays the house was finally completed. The whole amount expended on the meeting-house and lot was $18,437.41. This included $325 for the clock, ($250 of which was generously given by Henry Howard, Esq.,) and a bell, weighing 1,609 pounds and costing $575.49. The vestry was occupied by the church, January 29, 1860, and the upper portion of the house in September, 1869. " It is a capacious and beautiful structure, with a steeple whose height is 162 feet from the ground. The edifice is not only an ornament to the village, but will compare favor- ably with any village-meeting house in the State. The church may well congratulate itself on the value of its church property, owning also a commodious parsonage; all of the property being entirely free from debt."
At the January session of the General Assembly, 1850, the name of the church was changed to "The Phenix Baptist Church."
In October, 1861, Rev. Bohan P. Byram, now settled
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THE "ELDER TATEM CHURCH," PHENIX.
in Plymouth, Mass., became pastor, and remained until October, 1867. Rev. T. W. Sheppard, the present pastor, began his labors in April, 1868.
The following persons have served the church as dea- cons : Thomas S. Wightman, John B. Tanner, Ray W. Atwood, J. Bailey, J. S. Kenyon, A. J. Burle on, W. T. Pearce, and W. W. Remington, the last four being now in service.
The following have served as church clerks :- Wm. B. Spencer, Hiram Arnold, Wm. B. Spencer, a second term, and Vernum A. Bailey, the present clerk.
In 1843, Nicholas T. Allen was licensed to preach, and in October, 1869, Henry V. Baker was also licensed to preach.
The present number of members is 220.
THE " ELDER TATEM CHURCH," PHENIX.
The exact date of the organization of this church I have not been able to learn. In 1827, Elder Henry Tatem occupied the school-house, and until the erection of his meeting-house in 1829. This church edifice was the first one built in the vicinity. The lot on which it stood, the same one now occupied by the Methodist church, was bought of Mr. Henry Snell, for $120. An act of incorporation was granted by the General Assembly at its January session, 1833, to Henry Tatem, Nicholas G. Potter, Benjamin R. Allen, Caleb Potter, Sheldon Colvin, Cyril Babcock, Ray W. Atwood, Cyrus Manchester, Jr., George P. Prosser, Reuben Wright and William Warner. Elder Tatem preached in this meeting- house until difficulties broke out which divided the church in 1837, when Elder Nicholas Potter succeeded him for a few months. Elder Tatem was ordained in 1816. The society became so feeble, they were obliged to sell their meeting-house which was purchased by Josiah Chapin, Esq., of Providence, in behalf of the Congregationalists. . Rev. Russell Allen became the
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CHURCHES OF WARWICK, R. I.
preacher under the new regime. Soon the Methodists hired the house, and in 1842 effected its purchase. It stood on the site of the present edifice erected by that society, until it was purchased by Governor Harris, who removed it to another part of the village, and altered it into tenements where it now stands. A published state- ment of the church now before me, designates it as the " First General Baptist Church in Warwick." It appears to have held to the denominational tenets of the Free- Will Baptists. A copy of the "Minutes of the first meeting of the Rhode Island Union Conference, held in Cranston, October 13 and 14, 1824," gives the names of the pastors and delegates of these churches as comprising the conference at that time, Elder Henry Tatem, of the Cranston Church, Elder Ray Potter, of the Pawtucket Church, and Elder Zalmon Tobey, of the " Fourth Bap- tist Church, in Providence." In their circular letter published in their minutes, they say, " We are confident that the real followers of the Lamb of equal piety and usefulness in the church may be found for instance among Calvinists and Arminians, notwithstanding their disagreement in opinion. We dare not, therefore, call that common and unclean which God has cleansed."
FIRST FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was originally located in that portion of the town now becoming known as Greenwood, near the " High House," so called. Previous to the building of the meeting-house, meetings were held in a school-house, across the railroad, on or near the site of the present new dwelling of Mr. Collingwood. Elder Reuben Allen appears to have been the first pastor, and John Carder and John Gorton deacons. The church was prosperous under the leadership of Elder Allen, and many were added to the church. The church built their meeting- house about the year 1833. Elder Allen was followed in the pastorate by Elder James Phillips, who preached
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FIRST FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
for several years. The church during this time passed through severe trials from which it never fully recovered. Elder Champlain preached for a while in the meeting- house and until about the time the church of which he was pastor built a house for themselves about a mile to the southward. Elder Joseph Whittemore preached twice a month for a while, about the year 1842-3, and after that preaching services were held only occasionally until the house was removed to Pontiac and the church re-organized.
About the year 1850, the meeting house was removed to Pontiac upon land given by David Arnold. The land according to the terms of the deed, was to revert to the original owner or his heirs, assigns, &c., when no longer used for church purposes. In March, 1851, the church was re-organized under the name of The First Free-Will Baptist Church of Warwick. The following persons composed the new organization : Joseph B. Baker, Edmund L. Budlong, Moses Budlong, Wm. Tibbitts, Burden Baker, John Vickery, Stephen Luther, Freelove Wood, Hannah Searles, Susan Bennett and Susan Baker. Uriah Eddy, who united a few weeks later was appointed a deacon, and Edmund L. Budlong, clerk. Elder Reuben Allen, who appears to have been the first preacher under the old organization, was the first pastor under the new order of things. On March 13, 1852, the church voted to change their name to the " Warwick Church." In 1852, Uriah Eddy became the church clerk. On April 19, 1856, passed a " vote of thanks" to Elder Reuben Allen for his services during the past year, and appointed Joseph B. Baker a committee to supply the pulpit. From this time up to April, 1859, the pulpit was supplied by different preachers. At this latter date, it was voted " that Elder Reuben Allen be our pastor for the ensuing year." On April 28, 1861, George T. Hill was licensed to preach the gospel, and on September 6 following, he was ordained as pastor of the church, by Elders George T. Day and Reuben Allen. On October following, Horace Thompson was licensed
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CHURCHES OF WARWICK, R. I.
to preach the gospel. On April 27, 1862, George Budlong was appointed a deacon. On July following, Elder Reuben Allen was again chosen pastor for the ensuing year. On April 26, 1863, Franklin Potter was licensed " to improve his gift." On June 4, 1864, the church voted that " David Culver be the pastor for the coming year, and that an effort be made to raise $200 for his support."
From March 30, 1866, Abraham Lockwood was the clerk, and Bro. A. Warner, of Providence, became the preacher. R. E. Fisher was the clerk in 1869. The last pastor was Elder James Tobey, who preached about two years. Elder Tobey continued to preach until April,' 1869, when failing health induced him to resign, and from this time until they disbanded, the church was pasto:less.
On November 5, 1871, the church met in covenant meeting, and expressed its deep sorrow at the recent death of Deacon Uriah Eddy.
On November 6, 1871, " a council of ministers were present to confer with the church in regard to the propriety of uniting with the Apponaug Church. A quorum not being present, the meeting was adjourned to meet at the church Sunday next, at 2 o'clock P. M. November 12, 1871, church met according to appointment, and voted to adopt the following resolutions:
To adopt the recommendations of the council held at the previous meeting, to wit :-
To unite with the Apponaug Church in a body, so many as can feel it a duty to do so.
Voted, That a list of the non-resident members be transferred to the non-resident list of the Apponaug Church, in order that none by this act be left without church connection.
Voted, That H C. Budlong be authorized to draw up a paper for the members of this church to sign as au application of membership in the Apponang Church.
Voted, That H. C. Budlong present to the Apponaug Church the records of this church, with a list of applications to that church; also, a list of all who have taken letters, and a list of non-resident members of our church, and recommend and pray them to take them under their especial watch-care, and influ- ence them, as soon as their whereabouts can be learned, to unite with some evangelical church."
In accordance with the above recommendations, a
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WARWICK AND EAST GREENWICH CHURCH.
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