USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 55
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field. During the spring of 1884 a series of special meetings was held by the assistance of Reverend George C. Needham. Mr. Mon- tague resigned, on account of ill health, March 4th, 1887. During the remainder of the year no pastor was settled, but the pulpit was sup- plied a part of the time by Rev. E. G. Robinson, D.D., and Prof. E. B. Andrews, D.D. Reverend Thomas D. Anderson, the present pas- tor, accepted a call to this church, and began his labors in October, 1887. The present membership numbers nearly 600.
Members of the First Baptist church in early years living in the south part of Providence held religious services in the old brick school house on Transit street, and sometimes in private houses. This work was largely due to the energy and devotion of an elderly Scotchman, George Dods, who was one of the number, and whose conversion dated about 1805. Different ministers and students of Brown University preached to the congregations thus gathered. In 1819 it was determined to build a meeting house, and before the end of May Mr. Dods had secured a subscription for that purpose amount- ing to $1,400. Isaac Peck and Oliver Mason purchased a piece of land on Tockwotten hill for the use of a Third Baptist church, and gave bond to convey it to such a church on receipt of $410 and in- terest. A plain building, 45 by 50 feet, was begun, and before its completion a vestry ample to accommodate a school was added. Religious interest revived in the old church in the spring of 1820, and 116 persons were added to the church by baptism. The meet- ings in the south section were crowded and the need of the new building was more and more apparent. Mr. Dods travelled far and fearless over the country to collect subscriptions and contributions to carry on the work of building. Sunday school was begun in the spring of 1820, holding its first sessions in the chambers of Jeremiah Tillinghast's barn, on Transit street, until the vestry was ready to receive it. This was conducted under the direction and leadership of " Father Dods," without any formal organization, but two years later William C. Barker was chosen its first superintendent. Sixteen per- sons were dismissed from the First church, at their request for the purpose, and November 9th, 1820, the Third Baptist church was duly constituted with these sixteen members: George Dods and Rosanna, his wife; Isaac Peck and Phebe, his wife; Simeon Barker and Phebe, his wife; William C. Barker and Phebe, his wife: Luther Bushee and and Lydia, his wife; Jeremiah G. Luther and Lydia, his wife: Gil- bert Seamens, Ambrose Gardner, Enoch Steere and Prudence Hariden. This church occupied its new and modest house, now the little house at 134 Transit street, with a noble elm at the back of it, where it was planted by the hand of Father Dods, the hon- ored pioncer. For some time the church remained in attendance at the preaching services of the old church, having no pastor of their own, but holding their own prayer and conference meetings.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Mr. Allen Brown, a licentiate of the First Baptist church, became their first pastor, being ordained January 31st, 1822. The meeting house being completed was dedicated on the 27th day of the following June. But the young church was soon disturbed by conflict of doc- trinal opinions as to strict Calvinistic sentiments, and several import- ant members were cut off, among them the venerable Deacon Dods, who, after all his labors to establish the new church, was obliged to seek a spiritual home in the old First church, and there he spent the remainder of his days. Twenty-one years later the Third Church Society, in remembrance of his great services, allotted a pew free of expense to his widow so long as she should live. In 1824, the War- ren Association, to which the church belonged, declared that the Third Baptist church of Providence had departed from the principles on which it was constituted, and its reports could be no longer printed in the minutes. Accordingly for five years no mention is made of this church in the minutes of that association. Mr. Brown remained four years more as pastor, and resigned in January, 1828, after a service of six years. A period of ten months without a pas- tor then followed, after which the church secured the services of Reverend William Phillips, of Attleboro. His labors began in November, 1828. The church was now restored to its place in the association, and reported in 1829, 50 members. From this point there was steady growth during the pastorate of Mr. Phillips. In November, 1836, after eight years of service, the pastor removed to a charge in Charlestown, Mass., the church having increased to 190 members, 140 of whom had been baptized by him. The largest ac- cession in any one year was 50, which was the first fruit of a protracted meeting held in 1832. Two brief pastorates followed- that of Reverend Joseph A. Warne, lasting about one year, and that of Reverend Myron M. Dean, covering 21 months. Under the for- mer the church increased to 210 members, and under the latter it continued to prosper, a great revival having begun when he resigned, in June, 1840. The protracted meeting which began in March, 1840, continued without abatement until about one hundred conversions were reported. After the resignation of Mr. Dean a student in Brown University rendered acceptable service, and after filling the pulpit for three months was invited to become pastor. His ordination, November 4th, 1840, began the long and signal service of Reverend Thorndike C. Jameson. Seventy-one persons were baptized that year, and in 1842, after a series of meetings held by Elder Jacob Knapp, 147 converts were baptized, mostly men. In 1844 90 conver- sions were reported, in face of the fact that the progress of the church had met with obstacles in the excitement of the "Dorr war," and the rage of Millerism. Later the church had some trouble be- cause of its members enlisting as soldiers in the Mexican war, which was considered as intended to extend the slave holding territory.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
This church was decidedly opposed to slavery and would have no fellowship with those who favored slave holding. It was also vigor- ous in its enforcement of discipline for offenses against the moral code. Not to mention the more flagrant infractions of morality, fellowship was withdrawn from persons who would not take the total abstinence pledge, or who were employed in stores. where spirits were sold; from some who went to theater or balls, or were chargea- ble with general worldliness, and from some who let their children go to dancing school; from men who did not properly provide for their families; from a runaway apprentice who left his debts unpaid; and from one person who would not make confession in due form and order. But discipline was suspended for some months in 1849, when a great revival engrossed the attention of the church. Seventy-one persons were baptized, the membership of the church at that time reaching 481. Mr. Jameson, at his own request, was dis- missed December 1st. 1853. He was followed in a short time by Mr. James B. Simmons, a student from Newton Theological Institution, who was ordained July 12th, 1854. Prof. Henry Day, of the Univer- sity, supplied the pulpit awhile, before the ordination of Mr. Sim- mons, while he was completing his seminary course. The church, which had fallen off somewhat in numbers, now began again to in- crease in strength. In November, 1855, 46 persons were dismissed to join in the organization of the Brown Street church.
The India Point mission, which for some time had been sustained by this church, had a Sunday school in a railroad building at the Point. When this was removed Pastor Simmons stirred the people to sup- ply its place, and a chapel was built. The church at that time em- ployed a colporteur for several months.
Mr. Simmons resigned in September, 1857. Mr. A. K. Potter, a student in the university, supplied the church for a while in 1858. Mr. Jameson returned again in 1859, and resigned in October, 1861, having joined the Second R. I. Regiment as chaplain. Reverend A. J. Padelford took his place in January, 1862. He struggled against poor health for a time, but resigned November 2d, 1865. He was succeeded by Reverend Amasa Howard, of Wethersfied, Conn., within four months. Reverend Emerson Andrews, an evangelist, aided the pastor in the second year of his ministry, and 76 persons were baptized. The church then numbered 340 members. After three years of service Mr. Howard resigned, and Reverend J. C. Stockbridge, D.D., was engaged in the spring of 1869, and he was with the church more than two years. Reverend George Thomas Dowling, of New Jersey, became pastor in December. 1871. He was very popular, and attracted many to his preaching, but at the close of July, 1873, he resigned to accept a call from Syracuse, N. Y. Reverend O. T. Walker, of West Meriden, Conn., began his labors as a pastor here in January, 1874. The meeting house and lot
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY. 455
were sold to the city for purposes of improvement, April 5th, 1875, and three weeks later the church decided to purchase the lot on which their new brick house of worship was soon erected. The ves- try of the new house was formally occupied April 2d, 1876, and the church was dedicated September 22d of the same year. Mr. Walker resigned July 31st, 1876, and after four months, during which the pulpit was occupied by Doctor Taylor and the pastor of the Brown Street church, in Februrry, 1877, Reverend C. J. Jones became pas- tor, and he continued in the office seven months. In February, 1878, a plan of uniting with the Brown Street church waspresented, which was speedily consummated, this church dismissing its membership, numbering 225, for that purpose. March 31st, 1878, the Third Baptist church was formally declared extinct, the Union Baptist church hav- ing been organized from the united membership of this and the Brown Street church. The Union Baptist church has occupied the house of the Third church.
As early as the year 1844 it was proposed to establish a religious colony at a point midway between the First and Third Baptist churches. Reverend Horace T. Love headed the movement and raised a subscription of $15,000; the refusal of a lot on the southwest corner of Thayer and Power streets was secured, and the general assembly, in January, 1845, incorporated the Power Street Baptist Society. Here the project rested forabout ten years. A meeting to revive it was held at the house of L. D. Anthony, No. 56 George street, September 13th, 1855, composed of 13 members of the First and eight of the Third church. The result of a number of confer- ence meetings on the subject was that a church, called the "New Interest," was organized November 13th, 1855. Reverend W. C. Richards was chosen pastor at a salary of $1,500; Emory Lyon, clerk, and R. A. Guild, superintendent of the Sabbath school. The " New Hampshire Articles of Faith," and a church covenant were adopted, and other preliminaries adjusted. Armory Hall, on Benefit street, was hired and fitted up, and the first meeting was held in it Novem- ber 22d, 1855. The church was formally recognized by a council representing seven churches in Providence and one in Newport, on the 24th of the same month, and the pastor was installed on the fol- lowing day. The membership numbered 111, of whom 59 were from the First church, 46 from the Third and six from elsewhere. For many years the order of Sabbath services was Sunday school in the forenoon, followed by preaching forencon and afternoon, and prayer meeting in the evening. An act of incorporation was passed by the general assembly in May, 1856, the name of Thayer Street Society being adopted as approximate, though no location had been definitely settled upon.
A site on Waterman street, at the corner of Thayer, was pur- chased, and after much discussion and delay it was, in 1857, decided
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
to build upon' it. This decision was thwarted by the financial de- pression of the time, and in the following winter the lot was ex- changed for one at the corner of Brown and Benevolent streets, at an additional expense of $7,000. Plans were speedily perfected, and the work of building went forward, the society meanwhile applying to legislature for a change of corporate name to Brown Street. The house, in course of time completed, was dedicated June 5th, 1860, the membership of the church having at that time reached 173. The corner stone had been laid September 2d, 1858. The building was built of Danvers pressed brick and freestone trimmings, with a base for a spire, which was never added. The audience room was
designed to accommodate over 700. The building was in the Romanesque style, and cost about $45,000. The society was left in debt about $18,000, which was soon paid, largely by the liberality of Mrs. Joseph Rogers and Mr. George Hail, each of whom gave $6,000 toward the object, and the remaining $6,000 was raised in smaller sums through the efforts of Professor Greene. The pastor, Mr. Richards, resigned in 1862, after a service of seven years. In 1863 Reverend H. C. Graves became pastor, and the society purchased an organ at a cost of $3,100. The highest membership was reached in 1872, when the church numbered 296. February 24th, 1874, the society came into possession of an endowment by bequest of Mr George Hail, amounting to $20,000, the income of which was to be appropriated to the support of Gospel preaching in this church. This generous benefactor died at Warren December 6th, 1873, in the 81st year of his age. The resignation of the pastor took effect on October 1st, 1874, and in May, 1875, the pastorate of Reverend Elias H. Johnson began. In 1878 a union of this church with the Third church was effected, the new body being called the Union Baptist church, the name being first adopted by the Brown Street church, the other transferring its entire membership to this, the Union church taking possession of the house of worship formerly belong- ing to the Third church, the pastor and deacons of the Brown Street church being retained and their church property being sold, and the hours of worship of the Brown Street church being retained. The Third society transferred, for the nominal sum of one dollar, its property to the Brown Street society, who also assumed the debts of the other; the organ of the Third society was sold and the Brown Street organ placed in its stead, the Brown Street society retaining its organization, but after disposition of its property changed its name to Union Baptist Society.
In this union of churches the old Third church was represented by 225 and the Brown Street church by 267 members, giving the Union Baptist church, at the beginning, April 4th, 1878, 492 members. The property of the Brown Street society sold gave funds sufficient to pay the mortgages, so that the Union society had a fair prospect
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
of going forward without incumbrance. The Reverend Elias H Johnson continued the pastor until 1882, when he was succeeded by Reverend Joseph S. Swaim, who continued from 1883 to 1887. Rev- erend Frank C. Woods, the present pastor, entered that office in 1887. The present membership of the church is about 400.
A house of worship being needed in the northerly part of Provi- dence, a number of gentlemen met on the 26th of April, 1820, for the purpose of consulting upon some plan for reducing such a want to its fulfillment. Benjamin Peck was chairman and Samuel Thurber clerk of the meeting. They appointed a committee to purchase a suitable lot and raise a subscription to build a house. By the 5th of June their work was well nigh done, so far as buying and paying for a lot was concerned. Another committee was appointed to raise money and build a house, and form the general plan of organization. This committee was composed of Dexter Thurber, Stanford Newel, Asa Pike, Samuel Thurber, Enos Angell, David Cole, Consider Mil- ler, Holden Pearce, Esek Esten, Jr., and Joseph Veasie. They pro- cured a charter of incorporation at the October session of the general assembly in 1820. It was resolved that the meeting house to be built by them should be a Baptist meeting house, but no further sectarian limitations were placed upon it. The society was called the Fourth Baptist Society. An article of the charter declared that no subscrip- tion to any creed, article of faith, or covenant, should be required to constitute any person a member of the society, or of the church which might meet in the house, and that no person should be required to make any confession of faith other than a belief in the scriptures of the old and new testaments. The first meeting under the charter was held May 28th, 1821. A meeting house was completed in the summer of 1822, and was dedicated on the 26th of August of that year. It was a frame building, 47x67 feet on the ground, and having a projection 13x30 feet supporting the steeple, which was 90 feet high, and furnished with a bell. The expense of building it was in excess of $6,000. In January, 1825, the society received a grant of a lottery from the general assembly, from which they realized $2,000. The first settled pastor of this society and church was Zalmon Tobey, who was invited here in February, 1823. Previous to that time the pulpit had been temporarily supplied by various ministers. Mr. Tobey continued with the society until April, 1833, when he was dis- missed at his own request. He was succeeded by Peter Simonson, who continued as pastor of the church until October, 1836. Thomas B. Ripley succeeded soon after, and continued until August, 1840. Francis Smith commenced his labors here January 1st, 1841, and was ordained on the 30th of March following. At that time the member- ship of the church was about 200. Mr. Smith continued as pastor until 1854. He was followed by Reverend Abraham H. Granger, who was installed in 1854, and continued in the pastorate until 1876.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
He was followed in 1877 by Reverend W. W. Everts, Jr., who re- mained until 1881. Reverend James M. Taylor was pastor in 1882, and until May, 1886. He was followed by Reverend C. V. Hanson in 1887, and by Reverend R. M. Martin in 18SS, and he remains at the present time. The house of worship stands at the corner of Scott and Bacon streets. It was enlarged in 1850. An organ was placed in it in 1846. Later improvements have been made at a cost of about $25,000. The present membership numbers 371. This church has supported a prosperous mission near Branch avenue, where a church of 50 members was formed in May, 1886. It also supported a mission on Smithfield avenue, which in 1886, was removed to Pawtucket avenue.
In the autumn of 1772, John Murray came to Providence bearing a recommendation from General James M. Varnum to Nicholas Brown. He preached in Mr. Snow's meeting house. After that date he visited the town occasionally for many years, preaching in differ- ent places. After him came Elhanan Winchester, Adam Streeter, Richard Carrique, and others, preaching the doctrines of the Uni- versalist faith. These meetings were often held in the " Old Town House." A religious society, under the name of the First Universal- ist Society in the town of Providence, was organized at the court house, April 10th, 1821, composed of the following persons: Rufus Waterman, Charles Hartshorn, Oliver Carpenter, Esek Eddy, Jere- miah Fenner, Sion Fenner, William A. Smith, Samuel W. Wheeler, Thaddeus Curtis, William Olney, Benjamin Snow, Rhodes G. Allen, Dutee Roberts, James Anthony, 2d, John Lassell, James Stestson, Lut- cius Dyer, Henry Brinkley, Asa Ferguson, Nehemiah Arnold, James W. Mitchell, John F. Sheldon, Calvin Thomas, William Calder and John Martin. An act of incorporation was obtained in October, 1821. on the petition of 53 members. Late in that year a call was sent to Fayette Mace, of Strong, Maine, to take the pastoral care of this flock. He began this work in the spring of 1822 and continued until the following January. David Pickering, of Hudson, N. Y., became pas- tor of this society in May, 1823, and was installed in June following. He continued with the society until the first Sabbath in October, 1835. November 30th of that year, William S. Balch, of Claremont, N. H., was called to the pastorate, and entered upon its duties March 5th, 1836. He remained until November, 1841, when he went to a new field in New York city. He was succeeded here by Henry Bacon, of Marblehead, Mass., who was installed March 17th, 1842. He continued until about 1850. Edwin A. Eaton was installed in 1852, and remained about six years, when a vacancy occurred for a period. Reverend Cyrus H. Fay was installed as pastor in 1858, and remained in the office ten years. After a vacancy of about two years Reverend Elmer H. Ca- pen became pastor for about four years. He was succeeded by Rev- erend Henry I. Cushman, D.D., the present pastor, about 1875.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
The society resolved, October 22d, 1821, to erect a house of worship on the lot which they purchased of Nathan Mathewson, on the cor- ner of Westminster and Union streets. The corner stone of this building was laid June 3d, 1822. A silver plate deposited in the stone bears the following inscription: "The First Universalist Society in Providence was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island, at their October session, 1821. The corner stone of this edifice, designed for the service of Almighty God, through his son Jesus Christ, was laid by Rev. Fayette Mace, on the 3d June, A.D., 1822. John H. Greene, architect, Caleb Mosher, Zach- ariah Chafee, joint master-builders. The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice, Ps. xcvii, 1."
The house was built of stone, and cost upward of $20,000. It was destroyed by fire, with several other buildings in the vicinity, on the evening of May 24th, 1825. On the following day the society held a meeting and determined to rebuild their house at once. The corner stone of a new house was soon laid, and the completed building, oc- cupying the same site as the first, was dedicated December 29th, 1825. It was built at an expense of $24,000 or upward. It was of brick, Ro- man-Ionic in style, and was furnished with a steeple in which were a clock and a bell. The site was exchanged for the present one at the corner of Washington and Greene streets, in 1872, the latter building having been erected in that year at a cost of $45,000. The church property is now valued at $126,000. There are 195 families connected with the church, which numbers 220 members. A Sunday school, es- tablished in 1825, now numbers 318.
A few Catholics in Providence and its vicinity, as early as the year 1827, demanded the spiritual care of a priest. A few of this church had been in the town for years before, and probably mass had been said here as early as 1813 or 1814, and occasionally from that time forward. A building on Sheldon street was first used for this purpose. and it is said that Bishop Cheverus occasionally officiated. The building was demolished by the great gale of September, 1815. Priests were sent here from time to time, and in 1827 a permanent appointment was made. Reverend Robert D. Woodley was placed in charge of the Catholics of Providence, Pawtucket and Taunton. Me- chanics Hall was occupied until 1830, when the use of the town house was obtained. In 1832 a site for a church was purchased on the corner of High and Fenner streets, and in 1836 Bishop Fenwick offered mass in the basement. Under the zealous pastorate of Rev- erend John Corry the edifice was completed, and it was dedicated November 4th, 1838, under the name of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. The states of Rhode Island and Connecticut at that time belonged to the diocese of Boston. The diocese of Hartford was es- tablished in 1844, and the Right Reverend William Tyler was con- secrated bishop. He was succeeded by Bishops O'Reilly and McFar-
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
land. All these bishops resided in Providence. To the church a fine bell, weighing about a thousand pounds, was given by Messrs. Philip Allen & Son. An organ was placed in the church in 1841. The whole expense of the church and its equipments was about $12,000. In 1872 the diocese of Providence was established, and the Right Reverend Thomas F. Hendricken was consecrated bishop. Under the adminis- tration of Bishop Hendricken a movement was made for building a new cathedral church. Additional land was secured on the corner of Fenner street, the buildings upon it were removed, and a pro- cathedral was built on Broad street. The corner stone of the new cathedral was laid with imposing ceremonies on Thanksgiving day, 1878, and from that time the work went on as the funds needed were contributed by the churches of the diocese and other friends. The new cathedral is one of the most imposing and massive structures of the city, and indeed has but few that can claim a place equal to it in grandeur of architecture, elegance of finish or solidity of structure. It is in the form of a cross, with the foot on Pond street and the head on High street. Its measurements are 120 feet on High street, 198 on Fenner street and 136 feet on Pond street. The width of nave is 50 feet and its height 74 feet. The massive towers on the front are 156 feet high. The building is of brown stone, and its foundations are of the most solid character. The main floor is supported by 56 iron pillars, resting on a foundation similar to the main walls. The basement is 15 feet high, and is lighted by 35 windows. This will be used by the young people of the congregation. The beauty and de- sign of the interior is not excelled by any church in the United States. Five circular paintings in the ceiling and above the altars were the work of the celebrated painter Lamprecht; the stained glass window, of the Pustats, of Innspruck; the cartoons, of Professor Kline, of Munich; the marble pillars, of Theis and Trueg, of Munich, and the statuary, of Sibyl & Birk, of New York; while the decorator was Bodes, of New York. The floor of the vestibule, aisles, porches, sanctuary and chapels are tiled with white American marble and white veined Italian marble. The marble wainscoting of the walls is gray Ophite for three feet. and red Wakefield marble panels. Twenty-six pillars of Ophite marble support the galleries and arches. On the pillar capitals are 120 groups of statuary. Four large statues of the Evangelists occupy niches above the capitals of the four clus- tered pillars. The ceiling is composed of colored woods, divided into oblong panels, decorated in Mosaic patterns, and garnished with ebony, African wood and gold. The grand central feature of the ceiling is the painting of the Transfiguration, surrounded at equal distances by four smaller paintings of Peter and Paul, the patron saints of the church, and of Moses and Elias. The windows on the west side of the church are filled with scenes from the new Testa- ment, and those on the east side with scenes from the Old Testament.
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