USA > Rhode Island > Kent County > Warwick > Historical sketches of the churches of Warwick, Rhode Island > Part 7
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The following is the list of the rectors: Rev. J. Mulchahey ; C. E. Bennett, since deceased ; G. W. Chevers, deceased ; E. W. Maxey, now in New York State ; D. Potter, now of Cambridge, Mass .; R. H. Tuttle, now of Connecticut ; Silas M. Rogers, now settled in South Lee, Mass .; Robert Paul, in New York State ; James S. Ellis, now in Wilkinsonville, Mass., and Thomas H. Cocroft, the present rector.
The Rectory was built by Mr. Cady Dyer for his · private residence, and subsequently sold to the Diocesan Convention that holds the church property.
The rectors have been accustomed to hold religious services also in some of the other villages, where missions have been established, as at Fiskeville, Scituate and Phenix. At the latter place, Benjamin C. Harris built a small Gothic building, known as " Little Rock Chapel," which was used awhile for Episcopal services .* In Jan- uary, 1861, when Rev. Mr. Rogers became the rector, he found a debt of $1300 on the Rectory, which he suc- ceeded in reducing to $440. Mr. Rogers closed his term of service in August, 1867. During the time, he " bap- tized 111 infants, children and adults ;" 45 persons were confirmed ; 69 persons were buried, and 27 couples mar- ried. In 1873, the church was found to be greatly in
* This building was afterwards purchased by the Catholics, through the agency of Rev. Mr. Gibson, pastor of St. Mary's, Crompton, for $400. The lot was given by Mr. Harris. It was used for religious services until about the time their present church was obtained, and. then sold.
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CHURCHES OF WARWICK, R. I.
need of repairs, and in July and August of that year, it was repainted on the inside, the walls were frescoed, and a new carpet purchased, the cost of the repairs amount- ing to about $400, part of which was contributed at home and the remainder in Providence. After the resig- nation of Mr. Paul, in 1870, the rectorship remained vacant until Easter of 1873, when the Rev. James S. Ellis, of Delaware, was appointed rector and missionary, who continued in office until July 1, 1874, when the house was closed for some months. Rev. Mr. Cocroft commenced his labors in the spring of the present year.
ALL SAINTS PARISH, PONTIAC .*
This parish was organized April 9, 1869, when the following officers were elected : Senior Warden, Stephen N. Bourne ; Junior Warden, John P. Olney ; Treasurer, John F. Knowles; Clerk, John P. Olney ; Vestrymen, Samuel Black, Samuel Preston, Henry Owen, John Gildard, Edwin R. Knight, William Wooley, Isaiah Wilde, Thomas Evans, Charles S. Robinson, William A. Corey, John F. Knowles.
The services of the Protestant Episcopal Church were held in All Saints Chapel for the first time on Sunday, April 1, the Rev. L. Sears, of St. Bartholomew's Church, Cranston, reading as far as the creed, and the Rev. Robert Paull, of St. Philips Church, Crompton, the remainder of the service, the sermon being preached by the Rev. D. O. Kellogg, of Grace Church, Providence.
The first rector, the Rev. E. H. Porter, commenced his labors in the parish July 4. There were then found to be but five regular communicants of the Protestant Episcopal Church connected with the parish, though at the first administration of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, there were fifteen participants, most of whom were members of other evangelical churches.
* The account of this church is furnished by John P. Olney, clerk.
77
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
After a year of remarkable growth and prosperity, the Rev. Mr. Porter resigned the rectorship of the parish in July, 1870, which resignation took effect October 1.
The Rev. H. K. Browse, formerly of Pennsylvania, was the next rector, remaining in the parish until September 4, 1872, when his ill-health compelled him to give up his pastoral work and send in his resignation.
Rev. Wm. H. Williams took charge of the parish in December, 1872, and remained till April 1, 1875.
The number of regular communicants actually resident in the parish April 1, 1875, is 36. The Sunday School numbers 102. The amount of funds raised for the sup- port of public worship, and other church and Sunday School purposes, during the year ending April 1, 1875, was $1,488 14.
The Messrs. B. B. & R. Knight, of Providence, ten- dered to the parish in 1869, for church purposes, a room neatly fitted up with sittings and chancel furniture, and also a dwelling for its rector, both free of rental, and also have always been liberal subscribers to the fund for the minister's salary.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
There are two flourishing churches of the Methodist denomination in the town, both having their origin in the early part of the present century, but the writer has not been successful in obtaining official accounts of either. One of them, which is probably the older, is located in the village of Centreville, and the other at Phenix. They were supplied for many years, or as late as the year 1825, and perhaps later, by circuit preachers only, and the records of that period are not in possession of these churches. The " Warwick Circuit " included not only these villages, but also those of East Greenwich, Wickford, Plainfield, Conn., and other places, and the preachers were accustomed to pass from one to the other in rotation, on horseback, preaching in school-houses and private dwellings as they had opportunity. In 1830-1, 8
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CHURCHES OF WARWICK, R. I.
the church at Centreville built their meeting-house, and ten years later the church at Phenix were also in posses- sion of a house of worship. But the records of both, as I am informed, for many years subsequent to these dates, are not now in their possession, nor do they know what has become of them .. Many interesting items con- nected with their origin and progress would have been gathered from the older members and presented in this connection, but for the expectation cherished to the latest moment, that they would be furnished in connection with such information as could be obtained from existing records by some one connected with the churches who is more thoroughly conversant with their history.
SECOND ADVENT CHURCHES.
There are two churches of this order in the town, the older one located in the village of Arctic, and the other at Natick. The church at Arctic held its meetings at first in Odd Fellows' Hall, in the year 1858. The meet. ings were conducted by Elder George Champlain, a colored preacher, who was for about fifteen years the pastor of the Warwick and East Greenwich Free-Will Baptist Church on the Plains. He was assisted by Elder E. Bellows. The meetings at the hall resulted in the conversion of quite a number of persons, fourteen of whom were baptized by Elder Champlain on the 26th of February, 1858, and sixteen on March 14 following. On the evening of April 6, a church was organized at the house of Josiah Taylor, consisting of twelve persons. After the organization, Josiah Taylor and William Smith were chosen deacons, and John P. Babcock clerk and treasurer. Elder Champlain was chosen pastor.
It was arranged to have public religious services every third Sabbath at Odd Fellows' Hall. The business and covenant meetings were usually held at the house of Deacon Taylor. On the evening of August 14, 1858, Elder Champlain's resignation of the pastorate was accepted, and Elder E. Bellows was chosen his successor.
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CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
On October 15, 1858, Alanson Wright was chosen deacon in place of Deacon Smith, who had resigned to go to another part of the country. On November 6, 1858, A. C. Greene was chosen clerk, in place of John P. Babcock, resigned.
At a meeting held February 26, 1860, the subject of building a house of worship was considered. It was . ascertained that about $600 had been subscribed for this object, and by vote of the church it was decided to pur- chase of Mr. Alexander Allen, for the sum of $100, a piece of land 65 feet front by 120 feet deep, as a site for the building ; that the house should be 31 feet by 46 feet, 14 feet posts. C. Spencer, Isaac Andrews and Alanson Wright were appointed a building committee, with instructions . to erect the house immediately. The land was accordingly purchased of Mr. Allen and the house built. The first meeting-one for business-was held in it on the evening of May 12, 1860. At a meet- ing held October 19, 1862, Rice Knight, Elisha B. Card and Oliver Crandall were chosen deacons. The last meeting, the proceedings of which were recorded upon the church book, was held December 19, 1863, at which time it was voted to give up the forenoon services and substitute the Sabbath School. Elder Augustus Durfee has been the pastor for some years past, preaching one Sabbath per month. The church has not been able to support a pastor much of the time, and it has been fre- quently without a regular pastor, depending upon such supplies as they were able to procure.
The church at Natick was organized May 24, 1874, with twenty members. The present number is twenty- three. Spencer H. Shippee and Silas Mitchell were chosen deacons. They hold their meetings in Smith's Hall. Elder Elisha B. Card is the pastor and clerk.
CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
The following communication respecting the churches of this order in Crompton and Phenix is from Rev. Mr.
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CHURCHES OF WARWICK, R. I.
Gibson, the esteemed pastor of the Catholic Church in the former village:
CROMPTON, Oct. 14, 1875.
REVEREND SIR-
In response to your expressed desire for some infor- mation respecting the progress of Catholicity in Cromp- ton, or in my parish, I have collected a few facts and items which I submit to you, hoping they may be of service in the correct compilation of the work you are preparing for publication.
I cannot better commence to narrate the few facts and items I have collected in reference to the history of the Catholic Church in Crompton, than by referring to a work entitled "Sketches of the Establishment of the Church in New England," published in 1872 by Rev. James Fitton, the first pastor of the church in Crompton, and by whom the first church was commenced on Sep- tember 23, 1844. It relates in condensed form nearly all the important matter concerning its establishment, and I will quote entire the " Sketch " under the heading of the Church of our Lady of Mount Carmel, Crompton :
" Apart from Pawtucket, the largest number of the faithful in any town contiguous to the city, and who were considered as belonging to the charge of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence, were at Crompton. This place having been attended monthly, and the hard-working and industrious operatives in the factory, among whom were those having families of little ones, being anxious to have a place where they might assemble on Sundays, and willing to contribute according to their means, an acre of land was secured September 23, 1844. A small church, a frame building, was immediately erected, and as the location selected was on the hill side of the village, overlooking the country for miles distant, it was styled thie 'Church of our Lady of Mount Carmel.'
The congregation of Crompton and its neighborhood was confided to the special care of Rev. James Gibson, who attended occasionally, as his duties at other stations permitted, till August, 1851, when assuming its sole charge he added seven and three-quarters acres to the original purchase, thus making eight acres and three-quarters of land, all enclosed within a substantial stone wall. Besides which, for the better accom- modation of the congregation, he has added twenty by fifty- eight to the church, making it one hundred and eight by fifty
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CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
feet, independent of Sanctuary and Sacristy, twenty by twenty- one, and its tower twelve by twelve, square, and forty-five feet high, with a sweet-toned bell of over 1400 pounds weight. He has also built a pastoral residence of thirty by twenty-eight feet, tastefully and conveniently arranged. and a school-house, eighteen by forty feet, wherein to gather the little ones of his spiritual charge.
He has also lately secured, on what is known as Birch Hill, a very fine building, over thirty-one by forty-five feet, erected originally for a select high school, which he has converted into a neat little church, with its porch of eight by ten and sacristy twelve by fifteen feet."
The aboye is a very clear and correct statement, and there is little to be added up to the time of the publica- tion of the "Sketches." I would, however, remark that the immediate successor of Rev. James Fitton was Rev. Edward Putnam, and one or two others, who occasion- ally attended the Crompton church, until the appoint- ment of Rev. D. Kelly, who was the first local, resident priest, and remained in Crompton about nine months, when he was removed and the present pastor assumed the charge.
Since 1844 there has been much progress, and many improvements in the foregoing sketch. The original . parish under the charge of one priest only, has increased to such an extent, that it has been divided into five sepa- rate parishes, each one with its handsome church and resident priest.
Besides the church of St. James in Birch Hill, in 1870, two acres of land was purchased in Centreville for the erection of a central church at some future time. There is a fine Hall on the grounds, which at present is used for meetings of St. Mary's Brass Band, St. Mary's Temperance Society and other public meetings and social gatherings.
The Cemetery, too, adjoining the Crompton church deserves especial mention. It has been extensively en- larged, improved and adorned in various ways, so that what was originally a crude mass of stones and natural rubbish, has become a lovely retreat, and a beautiful place of christian burial.
·
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CHURCHES OF WARWICK, R. I.
There have been other minor improvements, but suf- ficient has been mentioned to show the wonderful pro- gress of the Catholic church in Crompton since the erec- tion of the "small church" on the hill-side of the village. Respectfully,
J. P. GIBSON.
PHENIX CATHOLIC PARISH.
This flourishing parish, once a part only of the Cromp- ton church was made into a separate parish in 1858 and placed in the charge of Rev. Dr. Wallace, now pastor of St. Michael's church, Providence. He remained there about seven years. During the first year or two, the catholic church there was a small building called the Rock Chapel, being built on a solid rock foundation. It was formerly an Episcopal chapel, and was purchased by Rev. J. P. Gibson of Mr. Benjamin C. Harris for the purpose of converting it into a Catholic chapel. Mr. Harris very generously gave the foundation and ground around, and made no charge except a moderate one for the building alone. But this chapel very soon was inadequate to the wants of the increasing number of parishioners, and Dr. Wallace sold it, and purchased of the Baptist society the church now under the charge of Rev. John Couch, who resides in Phenix, and has been pastor there since the removal of Dr. Wallace. J. P. G.
In addition to the foregoing, for the accommodation of the large number of French Catholics, a large and hand- some church edifice was erected last year near the Cen- treville railroad station, 112 x 60, which is not yet com- pletely finished ; the large and convenient vestry being at present used for religious services. It is called St. John's church, and Rev. Henry Spruyt is the pastor in charge.
At Natick, too, within the past three years, a church has been erected to accommodate the catholic residents of that village, and the resident pastor, Rev. Mr. Reviere,
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SUMMARY.
preaches to two distinct congregations at different parts of the day-to one in English and to the other in the French language.
There has also within the past year, been erected in Apponaug a neat church by Rev. Wm. Halligan, of Greenwich. These comprise the five Catholic parishes of this town.
SUMMARY.
Of the twenty-eight churches that have existed in this town since its settlement in 1642, five have become ex- tinct. Of those still existing, three are of the Six Prin- ciple Baptist order ; four are Baptist; two Free Baptist ; one Congregationalist ; one Friends ; one New Jerusalem ; two Methodists; two Adventists ; two Episcopalian, and five Roman Catholic; making the present number twenty- three. Besides these, there have been several mission stations established, for longer or shorter periods, and several halls have been used at different times for reli- gious services.
MARRIAGES
BY
ELDER JOHN GORTON,
OF WARWICK.
THE list of marriages by Elder John Gorton of Warwick, cover a period from January 1, 1754, to May 4, 1792. The list as here given was printed in a newspaper, the Pawtuxet Valley Gleaner, published at Riverpoint, R. I., during the summer and fall of 1879. In his introduction to the first portion the editor said : " They are 281 in number. The names of the parties married and the dates of their marriages were recorded in this book by Mr. Gorton, who is supposed to have been the only Elder residing in Warwick at that time. He was pastor of the Six Principle Baptist Church, and lived in a gambrel roof house, now stand- ing, and located near the East Greenwich line, on the main road leading from Apponaug to Greenwich." The value of this list as a contribution to the history of the people of the town of Warwick is apparent at a glance.
Anthony Low and Phebe Greene, both of Warwick, married January 1, 1754.
Peleg Rice and Annie Remington, both of Warwick, married May 19, 1754.
Samuel Sweet and Mercy Potter, both of Warwick, married September 23, 1754.
Stephen Greene and Mary Rhodes, both of Warwick, married October 24, 1754.
86
MARRIAGES BY ELDER JOHN GORTON.
Caleb Hill, of North Kingstown, and Mercy Stafford, daughter of Stntely Stafford, deccased, of Warwick, married March 23, 1755.
Peter Levalley and Mary Haines, both of Warwick, married May 11, 1755.
John Low and Sarah Wicks, both of Warwick, married October 26, 1755.
John Healy, of Providence, aud Ellis Lockwood of Warwick, married July 25, 1756.
James Warner aud Rebeckah Low, both of Warwick, married January 6, 1757.
Benjamin Spencer, son of Walter, of East Greenwich, and Sarah Low, of Warwick, married January 20, 1757.
Charles Holden and IIannah Martin, both of Warwick, married January 23, 1757.
Pardon Daly, alias Ralph, and Mary Hathaway, both of War- wick, married March 2, 1758.
Joseph Wickes and Bridget Price, both of Warwick, married June 22, 1758.
Peleg Salisbury, of Cranston, aud Mercy Sweet, of Warwick, married December 14, 1758.
George Wightman, Jr., of Warwick, and Rachel Wood, of East Greenwich, married February 11, 1759.
Thomas Remington, son of Daniel, of Warwick, and Freelove Nichols, of East Greenwich, married in East Greenwich, August 23, 1759.
William Soul and Susanna Stafford, daughter of Joseph Staf- ford, Jr., of East Greenwich, married in Greenwich, September 27, 1759.
Bartholomew Hunt, of North Kingstown, and Phebe Clark, of Warwick, married December 30, 1759.
John Spencer, son of Richard, and Experience Lyon, daughter of John Lyon, both of East Greenwich, married in Greenwich, February 21, 1760.
William Cowper, son of James Cowper, Jr., deceased, and Thankful Davis, daughter of Samuel Davis, both of East Green- wich, married in Greenwich, March 20, 1760.
87
MARRIAGES BY ELDER JOHN GORTON
William Hookey, son of Stephen Hookey, of Newport, and Mary Wightman, daughter of George Wightman, of North Kings- town, married in said Kingstown, April 17, 1760.
Hopkins Cook, son of Ebenezer Cook, and Annie Arnold, daughter of John Arnold, both of East Greenwich, married July 31, 1760.
Smitem Wilcox and Bethany Tallman, both of Warwick, mar- ried September 22, 1760.
Nicholas Simmons and Elizabeth Bacheldor, both of East Greenwich, married November 6, 1760.
Samuel Wightman and Amy Laton, both of East Greenwich, married December 4, 1760.
Caleb Bentley and Martha Foster, daughter of Thomas Foster, of Warwick, married June 14, 1761.
Thomas Boorman and Sarah Stafford, both of East Green- wich, married August 2, 1761.
Joseph Whitford and Desire Havens, both of Warwick, married October 9, 1761.
Thomas Stafford, of Warwick, and Rebeckah Hill, daughter of Thomas Hill, of North Kingstown, married in said Kingstown, February 4, 1762.
Thomas Tillinghast, son of Philip Tillinghast, of East Green- wich, and Mary Hill, daughter of Thomas Hill, of North Kings- town, married in said Kingstown, May 27, 1762.
Benjamin Bently and Barbara Pearce, both of East Greenwich, married November 21, 1762.
Robert Brattle, of Newport, and Susanna Pearce, of East Greenwich, married in said Greenwich, January 2, 1763.
David Corpes and Susanna Essex, both of Warwick, married February 6, 1763.
Benjamin Wood, of East Greenwich, and Margaret Price, of Warwick, married March 13, 1763.
Gideon Spencer and Phebe Burlingame, both of East Green- wich, married in East Greenwich, July 24, 1763.
John Lille and Hannah Mott, daughter of Stephen Mott, both of East Greenwich, married in Greenwich, November 24, 1763.
88
MARRIAGES BY ELDER JOHN GORTON.
Henry Tibbitts, son of Henry Tibbitts, and Hannah Reming- ton, daughter of Thomas Remington, both of Warwich, married December 15, 1763.
Fones Rice, son of Randall Rice, and Susanna Havens, daughter of Alexander Havens, deceased, both of Warwick, mar- ried February 16, 1764.
Jonathan Nillse, son of Samuel Nillse, of West Greenwich, and Avice Rice, daughter of Henry Rice, of Warwick, married Feb- ruary 23, 1764.
Sawdey Rouse and Hannah Sweet, both of East Greenwich, married in Warwick, April 8, 1764.
Thomas Gorton, of West Greenwich, son of Benjamin, and Susanna Pearce, daughter of Capt. John Pearce, of East Green- wich, married in Warwick, May 27, 1764.
William Warner, son of John Warner, and Waity Sweet, daughter of William Sweet, of East Greenwich, married in War- wick, July 8, 1764.
John Glaiser and Freelove Sherman, daughter of Benoni Sher- man, of East Greenwich, married in said Greenwich, September 2, 1764.
William Havens, son of Alexander Havens, deceased, and Deliverance Stafford, daughter of Joseph Stafford, Jr., both of Warwick, married in Warwick, September 9, 1764.
William Wood, son of William, of Scituate, and Lydia Dowd, of Warwick, married in Greenwich, October 31, 1764.
Thomas Wilbour, son of Thomas Wilbour, of Swansey, in county of Bristol, and Mary Gorton, daughter of Samnel Gorton, doctor, of Warwick, married in Warwick, December 2, 1764.
Mial Salisbury, son of Martin Salisbury, of Cranston, and Ruth Greene, daughter of Deacon Thomas Greene, of Warwick, mar- ried in Warwick, December 9, 1764.
Waterman Tibbitts, son of Henry Tibbitts, and Mercy Water- terman, daughter of John Waterman, deceased, both of War- wick, married December 13, 1764.
John Bently, of Exeter, and Lucy Vaughn, of East Greenwich, married in Greenwich, April 28, 1765.
William Arnold, son of John Arnold, of East Greenwich, and Alse Wilcox, daughter of Stephen Wilcox, of Warwick, married May 2, 1765.
89
MARRIAGES BY ELDER JOHN GORTON.
Jonathan Bennett, son of William, of East Greenwich. and Alse Greene, daughter of Nathaniel Grecne, of Coventry, married in Warwick, May 12, 1765.
David Arnold, son of Josias Arnold, deceased, and Waity Lip- pitt, daughter of Moses Lippitt, both of Warwick, married in Warwick, August 29, 1765.
Stutely Wickes, son of Benjamin Wickes, deceased, and Eliza- beth Greene, daughter of Deacon Thomas Greene, both of War- wick, married December 26, 1765.
Oliver Gardner, son of Isaac Gardner, of East Greenwich, deceased, and Mercy Gorton, daughter of William Gorton, of Warwiek, married September 25, 1766.
Joseph M'ott, son of Stephen Mott, and Martha Spencer, daughter of Thomas Spencer, both of East Greenwich, married July 7, 1768.
Richard Essex, son of Hugh Essex, of Warwick, and Mary Aylesworth, daughter of Arthur Aylesworth, of North Kings- town, married in said Kingstown, July 24, 1768.
Jeremiah Aylesworth, son of Arthur Aylesworth, and Phebe Allen, daughter of Jonathan Allen, both of North Kingstown, married in said Kingstown, July 24, 1768.
Richard Fry, son of Thomas Fry, and Sarah Arnold, daughter of John Arnold, both of East Greenwich, married in said Green- wich, August 14, 1768.
Benjamin Tiffing, son of Benjamin Tiffing, of Warwick, and Mary Olin, daughter of Henry Olin, of West Greenwich, married November 6, 1768.
John Allen, son of Thomas Allen, and Mary Gould, daughter of Daniel Gould, deceased, both of North Kingstown, married in said Kingstown, January 26, 1769.
William Rice, son of Thomas Rice, and Mayplet Remington, daughter of Thomas Remington, both of Warwick, married Jan- uary 29, 1769.
Robert Reynolds, son of Robert Reynolds, of Exeter, and Annie Reynolds, daughter of James Reynolds, deceased, of East Greenwich, married in said Greenwich, Feb. 15, 1769.
Holden Rhodes, son of Holden Rhodes, and Susanna Wall, daughter of John Wall, both of Warwieh, married March 12, 1769.
90
MARRIAGES BY ELDER JOHN GORTON.
William Wood, son of William, and Ruth Gorton, daughter of Samuel Gorton, (doctor), both of Warwick, married July 5, 1769.
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