USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
He was highly esteemed by his congregation, and remained with them until 1736, removing then to Portsmouth, N. H. His successor in Providence was John Checkley, who came here in 1739. He was a native of Boston, re- ceived his education at Oxford, and was admitted to holy orders by the Bishop of Exeter. He appears to have been a man of somewhat eccentric character, but he continued in the discharge of his duties as rector here until his death in 1753. The pulpit was supplied for a time by different clergymen until 1756, when John Graves succeeded in the rectorship. He attended the service of the church until July, 1776. He then declined to officiate unless he could be permitted to read the usual prayers for the king, but the patriotism of his hearers
444
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
forbade his doing that, and as a consequence the church was closed most of the time during the war, except a part of the time, when Thomas F. Oliver officiated as lay reader. After the restoration of peace Mr. Oliver received ordination from Bishop Seabury, the first American bishop, and remained in this parish until 1786, when by their consent he left them to officiate among his friends at Marble- head. Mr. Graves died here in November, 1785. In September, 1786, Moses Badger succeeded to the rectorship, which he held until his death in September, 1792. Abraham L. Clarke succeeded him, com- mencing his labors in March, 1793. He resigned the rectorship March 14th, 1800. He was succeeded by Nathaniel Bowen, after- ward bishop of South Carolina. He entered upon the service of this church November 12th, 1801, and left it for St. Michael's church in Charleston, S. C., in November, 1802. Nathan Bourne Crocker began serving this church as lay reader October 24th, 1802, and continued in that capacity until May, 1803, when he was ordained and chosen rector. He remained until January, 1804, when ill health obliged him to resign. John L. Blackburne succeeded him in December, 1805, and resigned in March, 1807. In the same month Mr. Crocker was again called to the rectorship, and he continued in that office until 1865, during some of the time in the last three or four years being assisted by L. W. Bancroft and Richard B. Duane. In 1866 Richard B. Duane became rector, and continued until 1869. He was succeeded in 1870 by C. A. L. Richards, who still continues rector of the church. St. John's church numbers about 400 communicants.
While the First Congregational Society was under the pastoral care of Reverend Josiah Cotton a part of his church and congrega- tion became dissatisfied with his preaching, regarding it as destitute of sound evangelical principles and filled with "damnable good works." This dissatisfaction became so great that finally, on March 7th, 1743, a number of them withdrew from the church, and began holding religious meetings by themselves. Among those who thus seceded were Deacon Joseph Snow, Benjamin Cary, Thomas Knowl- ton, Alexander McCrary, Solomon Searle, Peter Tefft, John Paine, Joseph Snow, Jr., who afterward became their minister, Ebenezer Knight, and Barzillai Richmond, together with 15 females. This company of worshippers have the honor of being the first to establish religious services on the west side of the river. Mr. Cotton said of them, " They set up a separate meeting, where they attended to the exhortations of a lay brother, who had been brought up in the busi- ness of house-carpentry." The lay brother alluded to was Joseph Snow, Jr., whom they elected to the office of pastor and teacher. Later on he was ordained, after some years of experience in the work, February 12th, 1747. The separatists were formally suspended from the First church March 25th, 1744. Soon after that date they began erecting a house for public worship. In this work Mr. Snow,
445
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
profiting by his experience in house carpentry, led some of his prin- cipal members into the woods and there engaged in cutting and hewing timber for the house. May 29th, 1744, a lot of land was given them by Daniel Abbott, and upon this the house was erected. It was a wooden building, and originally measured 36x40 feet. As the congregation increased they enlarged it, first building a piece in the middle, then adding to the rear, and finally building a story under the house as the hill upon which it was originally built was removed. In 1772 the spire was nearly one hundred feet high. A bell was im- ported from England about 1760. In this meeting house George Whitefield, Robert Sandeman, Mr. Asbury, Mr. Murray and other eminent ministers held their audiences. It remained the meeting house of the society until 1808, when it was taken down, and in that and the following year the present stately edifice of the Beneficent Congregational church waserected. This building is of brick, having 150 pews on the ground floor, and spacious galleries. The expense of erecting the house was paid by the sale of pews and a fund of nearly twenty thousand dollars in addition was realized. In the autumn of 1836 the house was materially improved, both externally and internally, at an expense nearly equal to its first cost. Its lofty dome and imposing facade were conspicuous attractions, which even in the light of present architectural progress have not lost their grandeur.
In October, 1785, the general assembly granted a charter of incor- poration to six members of the church, under the name of the " Ben- eficent Congregational Society." The first meeting under it was held in April, 1786. Mr. Snow continued for many years the beloved pastor of this united people. In 1783, " the fair character and exem- plary lives " of those who had been suspended from Mr. Cotton's church in 1744, compelled that church to take off its censure and re- store them to full fellowship. The peace and harmony thus restored were soon broken by an unexpected complication or conflict of ideas, arising from the disagreement of the church and society in regard to the ordaining of a colleague with Mr. Snow. James Wilson, a native of Ireland, who had formerly been a Methodist, began serving the church asan assistant, May 27th, 1791. In October, 1793, he was ordained by the society, though in opposition to the wishes of a majority of the church. Upon this Mr. Snow and his adherents withdrew, and held meetings in Mr. Snow's house, forming a new religious society, which was afterward known as the Richmond Street Congregational Society. Previous to the ordination of Mr. Wilson the church agreed upon a constitution and adopted a covenant and articles of faith, the covenant being signed at first by 20 males and 8 females. Mr. Wilson, though only ordained as colleague, after the withdrawal of Mr. Snow, performed all the duties of pastor. He thus continued for many years. Having reached the age of 75 years his request for
446
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
an assistant was acceded to, Reverend Cyrus Mason of New York being called for that purpose and was installed October 7th, 1835. He remained about one year, when, on account of ill health, his re- quest to be dismissed was granted. Reverend Mark Tucker, of the Second Presbyterian church in Troy, N. Y., was installed colleague, on the 21st of June, 1837. Mr. Wilson closed his labors and his life on the 14th of September, 1839, in the 80th year of his age. Doctor Tucker remained in charge as pastor until 1846, being followed by Reverend John P. Cleveland, D.D., in that year. He remained several years, and after him a vacancy occurred for two or three years. Reverend A. Huntington Clapp was installed in 1855, con- tinuing about ten years. He was succeeded by Reverend James G. Vose, who began his pastoral service about 1866, and continues at the present time. In the old vestry of this church was held the first Sabbath school regularly organized on the west side of the river, and more than twelve thousand children and older persons have shared in its blessings. The beautiful chapel which fronts on Chestnut street, was the gift of Henry J. Steere, Esq., as a memorial of his father, the late Jonah Steere, who was for many years a member of this church. The membership of the church is large, and its finances are in a prosperous condition.
The Richmond Street Congregational church grew out of a dis- cord in the Beneficent Congregational church. At the time of the ordaining of Reverend Mr. Wilson, in October, 1793, a part of the church disapproved of him on doctrinal grounds, and being over- ruled by the majority, they withdrew, and set up worship by them- selves at the house of Mr. Snow, their pastor. They soon, however, commenced the erection of a house of worship. This was a wooden structure standing on the corner of Pine and Richmond streets, which was afterward known as " the old Tin Top," from the material with which the top of the spire was covered. It was dedicated Au- gust 16th, 1795, but was not completely finished until the autumn of 1807, when Thomas Williams, then pastor of the church, solicited and obtained the means of finishing it from Massachusetts and Con- necticut. The bell was the gift of Mr. Williams, from his own re- sources. The house was abandoned by the society after the erection of a new house in 1827, and was afterward used by various new soci- eties from time to time. The old building was afterward used as a circus, and then as a brewery. The new house of worship erected by this church was dedicated January 1st, 1828. It was a frame building 65x75 feet, and had 110 pews on the lower floor. The ex- pense of its erection was met by the sale of pews.
Mr. Snow continued his pastoral care of this church and society until his death, which occurred April 10th, 1803, he being in the 89th year of his age, and the 58th year of his ministry. After his death the church and people were few and feeble as a body, and they re-
447
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
ceived into their pulpit Joseph Cornell, a Baptist minister, whose services were offered to them. While he preached in their meeting house there was an unusual attention to religion. During that sea- son Mr. Cornell founded a Baptist church, and received into it a number from the remnant of Mr. Snow's flock, his measures being approved by a large part of the congregation. He thus claimed the right to possess and occupy the meeting house. A few sisters of the church, however, held firmly for the prior and superior claims of the old church. They obtained for a short time the services of Reverend James Davis to preach in the meeting house, and while he did so Elder Cornell and his people held meetings in the town house. In September they applied to Reverend Thomas Williams, of Pomfret, Conn., to be their minister. In response to the call he came to Prov- idence January 1st, 1807, and began his labors of preaching the gos- pel and rebuilding the scattered church. His first audience consisted of twelve to fifteen persons, and from this small beginning, by hard and persevering effort, the congregation was increased until the aver- age attendance reached four to six hundred, the membership of the church being about one hundred. Mr. Williams continued in the service of this church with but little pecuniary support and without installation or settlement, until April 7th, 1816. During his minis- try the church adopted the covenant, the doctrinal articles and the articles of discipline which were afterward retained. The name was the Pacific Congregational church and a society was incorporated under that name in 1808. While Mr. Williams was their minister Massa Basset made an organ which he offered to the society, to be used in public worship, and which they accepted against the avowed sentiments of their minister.
Willard Preston was installed pastor of this church in July, 1816. His salary was $600 a year. He was popular for a time, and the church seemed prosperous, but contentions arose, which increased until a part of the church withdrew and formed a new church by the name of the Calvinist Congregational church. They had for their minister Reverend Calvin Park, and held meetings in a hall on Pine street. Mr. Preston was dismissed in 1821. The society and church, enfeebled by contentions and disorder, again called Mr. Williams, who served the church from July 2d, 1821, till August 5th, 1823. After this Reverend Elam Clark was ordained pastor, and served the church about one year. After this Reverend Albert Judson was employed by the Pacific Society about two years, without installation. During this time, in August, 1825, most of the members who had been divided during Mr. Preston's ministry became united under the name of the Union Congregational church, which then numbered 88 members. Reverend Thomas Tileston Waterman was ordained pas- tor of this church December 12th, 1826. In the year 1827 the society built the meeting house on Richmond street. When the house was
448
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
dedicated the church and society changed their name to that of the Richmond Street Congregational church and society. Mr.Waterman was dismissed January 1st, 1837. Mr. Charles Turner Torrey was ordained in March of the same year, and remained almost twelve months. In December, 1838, Reverend Willis Lord was installed, and he continued in the ministry nearly two years. Their next pas- tor was Reverend Jonathan Leavitt, who was installed in November, 1840. Ile continued in the pastorate until about 1863, when he was succeeded by Reverend Elias H. Richardson. The church during Mr. Leavitt's pastorate had about three hundred members. The house of worship was destroyed by fire October 13th, 1851, and re- built in 1852-3. Reverend Mr. Richardson continued until 1867, when he was followed for a short time by Reverend Nelson W. Mil- lard. A union between this church and the High Street Congrega- tional church was effected in 1868, and the two churches formed the Pilgrim Congregational church. The Richmond Street house of worship was transferred to the Free Evangelical church.
The High Street Congregational church was organized Decem- ber 18th, 1834. It consisted of 40 members, who had mostly with- drawn from the Beneficent and Richmond Street churches. In the course of the first ten years they gained more than two hundred members. They erected a meeting house in the year of their organi- zation. It was a frame structure 80x50 feet, the cost of erection of which was met by a lease of the pews for 500 years. The society was incorporated in 1833. Successive pastors have been: Reverends Wil- liam B. Lewis, Nathaniel S. Folsom, Leonard S. Parker, installed in December, 1840, and continued till about 1844; succeeded for a year or two by Arthur Granger; William J. Breed, installed 1846; Samuel Wolcott, installed 1853, continued to 1859; Lyman Whiting, installed 1860, continued to 1863; Stephen R. Dennen, 1865 to 1868, during whose time a revival occurred which gave more than one hundred conversions. This church dismissed 88 members to help form the Pilgrim Congregational church in 1868.
The union of the Richmond Street and the High Street churches to form the Pilgrim Congregational church was consummated in August, 1868. The plan was in part to remedy the inconvenience felt by most of the Richmond street members on account of the loca- tion of their church, and in part on account of a growing demand on the part of the High Street church for a larger and more convenient house. The church was organized June 2d, 1869. The church edifice on Harrison street, a fine brick structure, was erected in 1874. Its first pastor was Reverend Thomas Laurie, D.D., who was installed November 24th, 1869, and remained until 1885. Reverend Nathan M. Harriman began serving the church about 1887, and after about two years was followed by Reverend J. M. Dickson, the present pastor.
449
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
The first clergymen of the Methodist Episcopal church who preached in Providence were Freeborn Garrettson and Jesse Lee. The time of their first visits cannot be definitely determined. but they were probably soon after the revolutionary war. Bishop Asbury preached here in June, 1791. In 1798 Joshua Hall came to this place, tarried a few months, taught a school, and preached on Sunday even- ings and occasionally at other times. On the 24th of November of the same year he organized a church and formed a class for regular meetings. The church was composed of only five members. From that time forward meetings were regularly kept up, though for sev- eral years there was no regular preacher. The first baptism by a Methodist clergyman was performed by Reverend Joseph Snelling on the first of May, 1801, the person baptized being Diadama Tripp. The first celebration of the Lord's Supper by this church was August 28th, 1801, Reverend John Finegan officiating, and five male and seven female members participating. The first quarterly meeting was held in the town house August 12th and 13th, 1803, on which occasions Reverend George Pickering preached. In the spring and summer of 1804 Reverend Erastus Kibby preached in the town house. The movement met with but little encouragement, and growth was slow in the infant church. In July, 1815, Van Rensalaer Osborn came to this place and preached in a school house near the corner of Pleasant and Middle streets. His preaching was attended with good results, and by the middle of September the church num- bered 33 members. Notwithstanding much opposition the outlook was now so promising that the work of erecting a church was under- taken. Through the efforts of Mr. Osborn $500 was raised by a sub- scription for the purpose, and the society purchased a lot at the cor- ner of Aborn and Washington streets, and erected a meeting house upon it. This house was dedicated June Sth, 1816. The church then had 111 members, and Mr. Osborn was stationed here by the Annual Conference. A board of trustees was incorporated by the general assembly, to hold the house and lot in trust for the Methodist Episco- pal church. Solomon Sias was stationed here in 1817 and 1818, and Moses Fifield in 1819. Bartholomew Otheman became pastor in 1820 and 1821. The church was now so prosperous that a larger house was desired. Mr. David Field presented a lot at the junction of Chestnut and Clifford streets, and the corner stone of a new house of worship was laid upon it August 6th, 1821. The old house was sold and subsequently converted into a dwelling house. The new meeting house was dedicated on the first day of January, 1822. This was a wooden structure, 65x75 feet, with a gallery on three sides of it, with a large room under the east part for evening and conference meetings. A steeple and bell were afterward added. Successive pastors of the church were: Timothy Merritt (following Mr. Othe- man), Enoch Mudge, 1823-4; Daniel Webb, 1825; Asa Kent, Jacob
29
,
450
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Sanborn, David Kilburn, Jotham Horton, Jacob Sanborn, again; Aaron D. Sargent, Daniel Fillmore, Abraham D. Merrill, David Patten, 1841; Thomas G. Carver, 1849; S. C. Brown, 1853; Richard Livesay, 1855; George M. Carpenter, 1857; J. A. M. Chapman, 1859; John B. Gould, 1861; W. McDonald, 1863; Mark Trafton, 1866; I. G. Bidwell, 1867; J. W. F. Barnes, 1869; J. E. C. Sawyer, 1871; D. P. Leavitt, 1874; B. P. Raymond, 1877; A. P. Palmer, 1880; Joseph Hol- lingshead, 1881; C. L. Goodell, 1883; H. C. Westwood, 1886, and S. O. Benton, 1888. The church is now known as the Chestnut Street Methodist church. Its membership has been drawn upon to form the Power Street church and the Fountain Street Wesleyan Society. The church now has about 400 members in full standing, and its church property is estimated at $36,000, besides a parsonage valued at $7,800. Its Sunday school numbers about 300.
The Pine Street, or Second Baptist church, was organized May 1st, 1805. Its first members were: Jeremiah Ross, William West, Benjamin Ham, William Ham, Samuel Gorton, Reuben Burke, Chace Webb, Laban Lake, Thomas Reynolds, Nancy West, Francis Gorton, Mercy Webb, Sarah Lake, Abigail Jencks, Lillis Paul and Rachel Mason. The greater part of these had been members of the First Baptist church. Reverend Joseph Cornell became pastor of the new church at its formation. He was a native of Swansea, Mass., born February 11th, 1747, ordained in Lanesborough, Mass., in 1780. Self- taught, but possessing sound common sense, he devoted himself to the work with much zeal and a remarkable degree of effectiveness. His pastoral charge of this church continued until November, 1811. From that date to October, 1812, the church was without a pastor. During much of that time the pulpit was supplied by Reverend Elisha Cushman and students of the college. In October, 1812, Rev- erend Daniel D. Lewis commenced his labors as a pastor, but con- tinned with the church only a single year. For nearly a year after- ward Mr. Willey, an unordained minister, served as a regular supply. In December, 1814, Reverend Luther Baker became pastor of the church. During his ministry the church received large accessions, and also met with some severe trials. Their house of worship was destroyed by a severe storm and flood, which occurred September 23d, 1815. A new house was soon built, at an expense of $10,000, which was dedicated November 14th, 1816. In September, 1819, a num- ber of members separated from the church and held worship in a school house, having for three years the services of Reverend Jesse Hartwell, and receiving additions by letter and baptisms of 19 mem- bers. In July, 1823, the seceding party proposed a reunion, and were restored to their former connection. Mr. Baker resigned his office May 26th, 1822. Mr. Peter Ludlow, having preached to the church with great satisfaction from December, 1822, was ordained as pastor August 28th, 1823, and continued his labors till September 29th, 1825.
451
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
In December of the same year he was succeeded by Reverend James M. Seaman, who relinquished his charge in August, 1828. In October of the same year Reverend Pharcellus Church, D.D., became pastor, and his labors for about six years were greatly blessed, the church receiving an increase of 109 members by baptism and 62 by letter. His labors closed June 18th, 1834. The next minister was Reverend John Blain, who began his labors here September 11th, 1834, and re- signed the charge February 28th, 1837. During his pastorate a powerful revival prevailed, and over two hundred were added to the church by baptism. Reverend John S. Maginnis assumed the pastor- ate October 9th, 1837, but in consequence of enfeebled health was compelled to relinquish it in March of the following year. The labors of Reverend John Dowling, D. D., began February 13th, 1839. During his ministry, which continued till May, 1844, great prosperity was enjoyed, with large accession to the membership. He was suc- ceeded September 8th, 1844, by Reverend Zabdiel Bradford, whose pleasing and useful labors were closed by death May 16th, 1849. Reverend Samuel W. Field commenced his labors as pastor January 6th, 1850, and resigned the charge September 15th, 1859, after a longer term of service than any of his predecessors had given. Dur- ing the latter part of his pastorate a delightful revival was enjoyed, which added about fifty new members to the church.
In 1857 the house of worship now occupied by the Central Baptist church was completed at a cost of about $65,000. This large and comfortable church edifice stands at the junction of Broad and High streets. Reverend Heman Lincoln assumed the pastorate June 4th, 1860. For eight years he labored with ability and zeal, and with re- luctance gave up the charge to answer a call to a professorship in Newton Theological Seminary. Reverend W. F. Bainbridge entered upon his labors January 1st, 1869. In 1870 a valuable contribution of membership was made toward the organization of the Cranston Street Baptist church. During the winter of 1871-2 an unusually large number of conversions took place. During the winter of 1877-8 a large number were received into the church, partly as a result of the labors of D. L. Moody and George F. Pentecost. Mr. Bainbridge closed his ten years of service here December 31st, 1878. The church next called Reverend B. O. True, who entered upon his duties in Sep- tember, 1880. At the end of one year he resigned to accept a profes- sorship in Rochester Theological Seminary. Reverend Richard Mon- tague entered the pastorate in September, 1881, immediately after the retirement of Mr. True. During the year 1882 the church edi- fice was thoroughly renovated and improved. Early in the same year Reverend William F. Armstrong, a returned missionary, was employed by the generosity of Deacon J. C. Hartshorn to assist the pastor in missionary work, and for more than two years he did effi- cient service until, in the fall of 1884, he returned to the foreign
452
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.