USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 57
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Previous to 1833 a number of Episcopalians opened a Sunday school in the southerly part of the city. In the year mentioned they purchased a building which had been erected for an infant school room, removed it to Thayer street, and fitted it up for a place of worship. At Easter, in 1839, they invited Reverend Francis Vinton to be their rector. In the following year they erected a house of worship at the corner of Benefit and Transit streets. This is a rough stone structure, covered with cement; the expense of erection, to- gether with the organ that was placed in it, was about $13,000. The audience room contained 82 pews on the ground floor. It was con- secrated November 26th, 1840. The parish was incorporated in 1839. The church was admitted into conference June 11th of that year, with 17 communicants. The corner stone of the present house of worship, on George street, was laid by Bishop Clark September 21st, 1860. The house is built according to ancient Catholic custom, standing east and west, with the altar in the east end. It is of the middle pointed Gothic style of architecture. The material is stone from Smithfield, with trimmings, mouldings and pillars of brown stone from New Jersey and Connecticut. It is about 120 feet long, 86 feet wide and 68 feet from the floor to the highest point of the roof. Six massive pillars of solid stone separate the nave from the side aisles. There are many memorial windows in the church, among them two consecrated to Bishops Griswold and Henshaw. The building is one of the most beautiful specimens of church archi- tecture in New England, and with the lot on which it stands cost
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about $70,000. It was consecrated February 27th, 1862. In 1883 the interior was renovated at considerable expense for new furniture and improvements, and was consecrated anew on St. Stephen's day, December 26th, 1883. In April, 1885, a guild house was begun on the eastern end of the church property, for the meetings of the par- ish societies, and is open every evening for the men and boys of the parish more especially, a reading room and library being maintained there by the Guild of St. Augustine. In 1885 a house on George street was purchased for a rectory. Reverend Francis Vinton, the first rector, has been succeeded in that office by John H. Rouse, George Leeds, Foster Thayer, 1841; Henry Waterman, 1844; James H. Eames, 1846; Henry Waterman, 1850 to 1873; Charles W. Ward, 1876: James W. Colwell, 1878; George Mcclellan Fiske, 1885 to the present time .. The present number of communicants is 538. The Sunday school numbers 263.
The West Baptist church was recognized as a distinct church in October, 1840. Two years later its membership had increased to over 100. The members composing it were dismissed from other Baptist churches to unite in forming this. One object in forming this church was to pronounce more decidedly against the sin of slavery. In other matters it was in accord with other Baptist churches in the vi- cinity. The congregations of this church were held first at a private house on Pine street, afterward in the Green Street school house, at the corner of Washington street. In 1842 Archibald Kenyon was their pastor, but they were much without a pastor. This church, located in the west part of the city, was at first known by the name suggested by the locality, but its more appropriate title, soon after adopted, was the Fifth Baptist church. They scon began to agitate the subject of building, and a structure on Stewart street was erected in 1845. Its size was 38 by 60 feet, and it contained 80 pews, with a seating capacity of 500. During the few years that this church main- tained a separate existence it was supplied with a pastor but part of the time. Among those who served it were Levi F. Barney, George R. Darrow and George E. Tucker. In 1854 it united with the South Baptist church to form the Friendship Street church.
The South Baptist church was organized in 1847. The meeting house occupied by them was the private property of Deacon E. S. Barrows. It was situated on Point street, and had a seating capacity of 400. A flourishing Sunday school was carried on in connection with it. Reverend Bradley Miner was the esteemed pastor of that church. He was installed in 1851, and remained until the union of the church with the Fifth to form the Friendship Street church in 1854. He died in October of that year.
The Friendship Street Baptist church was formed in 1854, from the membership of the Fifth and South Baptist churches, those bodies having disbanded to form this union. The organization was
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effected December 28th, 1854. They purchased a lot on the corner of Friendship and Prince streets, the lot having formerly been occu- pied by Reverend Doctor Hall's society as a burial ground. Upon this lot they built the present substantial edifice, in 1854. The first pastor of this church was Reverend Austin H. Stowell, installed 1855, and his successors have been: Moses H. Bixby, installed 1858; William S. Mckenzie, 1861; S. S. Parker, 1867; E. P. Farnham, 1878; Edward Mills, 1884; and Edward Holyoke, 1887. The church at present has 338 members. Mr. Thomas W. Waterman has been superintendent of the Sunday school since 1878. The school num- bers 447.
The Wesleyan Methodist Society was formed in 1841, by a num- ber of persons who had been members of the Chestnut Street Metho- dist Episcopal Society. Their first place of meeting was at a school house on Pond street. The society was incorporated in January, 1842, and in the same year they erected a house for public worship on Fountain street. This was a plain wooden structure, 65x46 feet, and cost $6,000. On the 25th of December, 1842, the society by a formal vote dissolved all connection with the Methodist Episcopal church, and became the first Wesleyan society formed in New Eng- land. The Wesleyan connection afterward extended to various parts of the country. The alleged reasons for their withdrawal were the friendly attitude of the Methodist Episcopal church toward slavery, and other points of objection in its ecclesiastical economy. Jotham Horton was their first pastor. He withdrew from the church in Jan- uary, 1843, and was succeeded by Lucius C. Matlack. Other pastors were: George F. Needham, 1844; J. M. H. Dow, 1851; William Kel- len, 1856; J. M. Carroll, 1857; Elisha B. Bradford, 1859. In 1856 it was called the Fountain Street Methodist church. At that time the church was declining, and their meeting house was sold to another Methodist society and was removed in 1859 to its present site on Broad way, and after being considerably improved became the home of the Broadway Methodist Episcopal church.
Saint Patrick's (R. C.) church is the oldest Catholic church in the city. Steps toward its erection were taken in 1841, the growth of the Catholic population in the north part of the city being so great as to demand more room for their religious services. A lot was purchased on Smith's hill, fronting on State street, one of the most sightly and pleasant locations in that part of the city. The corner stone was laid on June 13th, 1841. While the house was in progress the Catho- lics held services in Franklin Hall and Masonic Hall, under the min- istration of William Fennelly, pastor of the church at Pawtucket. The house was occupied for the first time December 25th of the same year, Dennis Ryan officiating. It was consecrated July 3d, 1842, by Bishop Fenwick. Reverend William Wiley, the first pastor of this church, commenced in this charge January 16th, 1842. The building
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and lot cost something over $17,000. It was supplied with an organ of superior tone, and a bell of 2,000 pounds weight. The building, constructed of stone, in castellated Gothic style, 75x55 feet on the ground, had a seating capacity of about 800. The congregation was then sufficient to fill it. Other clergymen associated with this church since Mr. Wiley have been: D. Tucker, John Stokes, Thomas Quinn, Patrick Lambe, Patrick Tully, M. J. Tully, Michael McCabe, Christo- pher Hughes, Stephen Sheffrey, Michael McClune, C. Dugget, John Harty, J. Tennian, William Galvin, William McNamara, Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, and Thomas Briscoe. Reverend Christopher Hughes, who was pastor from 1869 to 1887, erected a pastoral residence, a parochial school and a new convent, and secured for the church all the land between Davis and State streets, with the exception of one estate. The parish includes about 4,000 souls.
In August, 1841, a number of persons who felt an interest in the seamen visiting this port, united themselves into a society with the design of erecting a meeting house for their accommodation. This society numbered about 40. A house 45x70 feet was erected, and worship in it was begun in the autumn of 1841. Its cost was about $7,000. It stood at 93 South Water street. Regular Sunday services were maintained. The following preachers have been stationed over it approximately at the dates given: William Douglass, 1841; Benjamin Taylor, 1844; John Orrell, 1851; George W. Kilton, 1854; Philo Hawkes, 1856; David Knowlton, 1859; Charles H. Plummer, 1860; Mr. Dow, 1865; Nicholas S. Chadwick, 1866; Charles M. Winchester, 1868; J. W. Thomas, 1873; H. M. Eaton, 1877: J. E. Wolff, 1879; E. Burroughs, 1880 to about 1883, since which time no regular pastor appears to have been installed.
The Church of the Mediator, sometimes called the Second Uni- versalist church. was formed in 1841, by a secession of some of its members from the First Universalist church. Tradition says that the party lines in the political agitation of those times were strictly adhered to in the formation of this society. The society at first met for worship in the old town house. In 1848 a new church edifice was erected on Broad street, at the corner of Eddy, and in 1849 the church was reorganized, bearing its present name. The fine brick structure on Cranston street, at the corner of Burges, was erected in 1869, an'd is valtted at $65,000. The pastors of this church have been: J. N. Parker, William Jackson, James Gallager, 1843; Uriah Clarke, 1850; Theodore D. Cooke, 1851; John G. Adams, 1860; Henry W. Rugg, D.D., 1867 to the present time. The society embraces 200 families, and the church has a membership of 230 members. The Sunday school numbers 310.
The Second Free-will Baptist church was organized in September, 1835, under John W. Lewis as their pastor. The church was organ- ized with ten members. Until November, 1840. they met for worship
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
at the African Union meeting and school house. They then hired a hall on Middle street. In 1841 they erected a house for public wor- ship on Pond street. It was a small wooden building, 30x40 feet. The society was incorporated in January, 1842. The church at that time had about 60 members. About 1843, Luke Waldron succeeded the first pastor. He was succeeded by Edward Scott about 1850, and he filled a term of about 13 years. A vacancy followed his pastorate. Reverend William Crookes was the next pastor, in 1867. He was followed by John W. Dunjee, 1871; C. J. Carter, 1874; J. C. Plummer, 1877; J. S. Collins, 1878; J. D. Veney, 1880; and B. Kirk, 1886. The church now has a membership of 164, and has 100 in the Sunday school. The superintendent is Frank V. Helm. The minister's sal- ary is $600. The church is located in the rear of 104 Pond street.
The Zion (or African) Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1837. The society was incorporated in 1838. It belongs to the Wesleyan Methodist church fraternity. The church in 1840 had 50 members, in 1842 nearly 100. The present membership is about 250, and it has a Sunday school of about 300. They at first hired a build- ing to hold meetings in, but after a few years they obtained a small building of their own on Back street. The house at present occupied by them stands upon Gaspee street, and was built in 1858. Their successive pastors have been: Jehial C. Beman, William Serrington, Nathan Blount, Levin Smith, 1840; Daniel Vandevere, 1844; Joseph Hicks, 1849; Peter Ross, 1857; Joseph Hicks, 1861; George H. Wash- ington, 1863; John Smith, 1866; Thomas A. Davis, 1867; James H. Smith, 1869; Peter Ross, 1871; Robert H. Dyson, 1873; W. H. Turpin, 1877; G. H. Washington, 1879; J. H. Anderson, 1880; R. R. Morris, 1885; Nathaniel J. Green, 1888.
The Second African M. E. church, called Bethel Methodist, first met as a distinct body in September, 1838. They built a meeting house on Meeting street during the same year. The society was in- corporated in 1839. The congregation is small. Their successive pastors have been: N. C. W. Cannon, Jabez P. Campbell, 1841; Eli N. Hall, 1844; Henry Johnson, 1848; James D. Hall, 1853; Mr. Lewis, 1858; George Rue, 1862; James Shreeves, 1864; J. H. W. Burley, 1866; Francis J. Peck, 1868; J. H. W. Burley, 1869; E. T. Williams, 1871; William F. Dickerson, 1872; J. T. Hayslett, 1874: William J. Laws, 1877; F. J. Cooper, 1879; George C. Booth, 1883; J. B. Stansberry, 1885; J. H. Jones, 1889.
A colored Episcopal church, called Christ church, was organized from meetings held in a school house on Washington street in 1839. The society was incorporated in March, 1842. About that time they erected a small wooden church on Union street, where they held services according to the rites and usages of the Episcopal church in the United States. S. G. Degrasse officiated in the pastoral office during the summer and autumn of 1840. Alexander Crummell suc-
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ceeded him for two or three years. James C. Richmond followed about 1844. The pulpit was vacant after that, and the society ap- pears to have fallen into decline or extinction, but of the particulars concerning it we have been unable to learn.
The Eighth Baptist, now called the Jefferson Street Baptist church, was organized in 1847. A meeting house had been built the previous year, on the corner of Davis and Common streets, which they pro- ceeded to occupy. Its size was 35x50 feet, and value $1,600; seating capacity, 300. During the first ten years they had an average con- gregation of 150. That neighborhood of the city contained then only about 180 families, and this and the Catholic church occupied the territory between them. The church moved to a site on Jefferson street about 1857, and adopted its present name. A new church was erected in 1868, at a cost of about $40,000, including the grounds. It is at the corner of Jefferson and Common streets, and is at present occupied by the church. The pastors of the church have been: Sam- tiel Richards, Warren Randolph, 1852; Charles Keyser, 1857; J. G. Richardson, 1864; Justus Aldrich, 1871; A. T. Rose, 1872; S. D. Phelps, 1875; N. B. Randall, 1877; L. L. Potter, 1880; W. C. Richmond, 1881; W. M. Mick, 1885; Franklin G. Mckeever, 1888. The Sunday school, organized in 1846, now numbers 340. Horace F. Horton, the present superintendent, has held that office since 1873. The present mem- bership of the church is about 300.
The Ninth Baptist church was called the High Street church un- til 1862, when it took the name of Stewart Street Baptist church, by which name it is now known. It was organized February 3d, 1851. A substantial brick church edifice was erected in that and the follow- ing year. It was dedicated in 1852. The house stands on Stewart street, at the corner of Pond, and measures 56x91 feet. It contained 124 pews, and was furnished with bell, orchestra and organ, vestry, study and library rooms, and was finished in neat, yet elegant style from the beginning. Its seating capacity was 800, which at that time was a little in advance of the requirements. Thechurch cost $36,000, the expense being met by Perry Davis, a recently ordained minister in the church. He was an earnest Christian, and the handsome church edifice thus generously built for the Stewart Street church was a noble monument to his support of the cause. Reverend Henry Jackson, after investigating the condition of all the Baptist churches of the state under a commission from the Rhode Island Baptist State Convention, in his report to that body in 1854, said of this church: " The edifice is plain, and yet in some respects quite ornamental. It is more entirely finished than any church within my knowledge. The audience room is very imposing, and the whole structure is rarely excelled in simplicity, conveniences and durability. May a kind Providence succeed the desires of the generous builder, and ac- cept at his hands this monument to His praise." Perry Davis was
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
himself one of the deacons of this church. The first pastor was Reverend George R. Darrow, and he has been succeeded in the pas- toral office by the following: James R. Stone, 1856; Asa Bronson, 1860; Christopher Rhodes, 1862; Charles A. Snow, 1865; George W. Holman, 1871; E. A. Woods, 1876; A. H. Sweetser, 1881; William L. Lisle, the present pastor, 1882. The church now has 333 members. The Sunday school, organized in 1850, now numbers 388.
A new Congregational church was organized May 4th, 1843. It met in Westminster Hall for a number of years, and in 1853 moved to Franklin Hall, 23 Market square. About 1850 it adopted the name of the Fourth Congregational church. In 1861 it adopted the name of the Free Evangelical Congregational church, its meeting place then being in Roger Williams Hall. About 1870 the handsome meet- ing house erected by the old Richmond Street Congregational church, in 1853, was transferred to this society, and it had a perma- nent home, which it has since occupied. This building, valued at $50,000, stands on the corner of Richmond and Pine streets, and has been repaired and improved by this congregation. An ice water fountain, for the use of the public, has been placed in the yard. The membership is 376. The Sunday school numbers 274, with an aver- age attendance of 137. The pastors of this church from the start have been: Thomas T. Waterman, 1843 to 1850; Robert H. Conklin. 1853 to 1860; James C. White, 1862 to 1866; Edward O. Bartlett, 1868 to 1873; Edwin S. Gould, 1874; Henry H. Northrop, 1879; John H. Larry, May 20th, 1883, to the present time.
The Church of the Yahveh, a church of Second Adventists, had its beginnings in 1842. Their meetings were held at first on Greene street. About 1850 they occupied New Market Hall, Broad street, at the corner of High. In 1858 they met at 156 Broad street, near Rich- mond. A house of worship was built at the corner of Pearl and Providence streets about 1877. It was dedicated in 1878. The church was at first called Second Advent, but in 1859 the name Church of the Yahveh appears to have been adopted. The first pastor was Reverend N. Hervey. During the first years of its existence it was much of the time without a pastor. Reverend George W. Burnham served as pastor from 1852 to 1855. Reverend Lemuel Osler was installed in 1856, and has continued from that time to the present. The church is Evangelical in doctrine and Congregational in form. It has about 375 members.
St. Andrew's Episcopal church was organized in 1846. A plain wooden building was erected soon after on Hospital street, at the corner of Allen. The site is now occupied by the gasometer. In 1854 the building was removed to a site near 151 Friendship street. In 1856 it was enlarged to nearly double its size. The society for several years had a struggle for existence, but about the year last mentioned a period of more prosperous life dawned upon it. Rev-
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erend Francis Peck was rector in 1850. For a few years the church was supplied by the Convocation. Reverend Daniel Henshaw was installed in 1855, and after a long and successful pastorate continues at the present time the honored rector of this church. The corner stone of the present church was laid by Bishop Clarke, June 29th, 1869; the first service in it was held on Easter day, 1872; and the house was consecrated on All Saints' day in 1875. The building, with the lot upon which it stands, cost $15,500. It is located at the corner of High and Stewart streets, and is a handsome specimen of Gothic architecture, built of rough Portland stone. It has several beautiful windows, noticeably the large front window and that of the chancel. The massive doors, with their elaborate and ornamental hinges of brass, are of oak, as is most of the interior wood work. At the west end. facing the chancel, is a mural tablet in memory of the late Bishop Henshaw, father of the present rector, whose long and active service has done so much to build up the church and maintain its prosperity. In 1858 Mr. Henshaw organized in this church the first boy choir in the city, and the third in this country. A Sunday school was formed at the beginning of 1860. About that time an evening service was established on High street, near Knight street. This was named St. Peter's Free Chapel Mission. It was carried for- ward until the erection of the present church, when both church and mission were united under the name of All Saints' Memorial church in 1872. The present number of communicants is about 400. The Sunday school now numbers 264.
The Mathewson Street Methodist Episcopal, was organized as the Third Methodist church, October 19th, 1848. It had then 28 mem- bers, the most of whom came from the Power Street church. Wor- ship was at first sustained at Hoppin Hall, Westminster street. In 1850 a lot was purchased on Mathewson street, and the work of build- ing a meeting house was begun. This was completed in 1851. Exten- sive repairs and improvements were made upon it about 1871. The church has been blessed with a number of revivals, and has been noted for its active and energetic participation in spiritual and moral works of reformation and enterprises. In promoting the federal cause in the late war this church during 1864 and 1865 contributed more than $3,000. The commodious brick edifice of this church was dedicated May 28th, 1851. The present number of full members is about 350. The value of the church building and lot isabout $40,000. The Sunday school numbers 276. Successive pastors of this church have been: David Patten, Jr., 1849; William T. Harlow, 1852; Henry S. White. 1855; Frederick Upham, 1857; Samuel C. Brown, 1859; Sidney Dean, 1861; J. II. McCarty, 1863; Seth Reed, 1866; Mark Trafton, 1868; E. F. Clark, 1870; D. A. Whedon, 1873; Sylvester F. Jones, 1878; W. F. Whitcher, 1879; W. T. Worth, 1882; Nicholas T. Whitaker, 1884; Ilenry Tuckley, 1887: C. W. Gallagher, 1889.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
The First United Presbyterian church was organized as the Asso- ciate Scotch Presbyterian church, in May, 1849, with 22 members. Its first place of meeting was in Brown Hall, on South Main street. The church which is at the present time occupied by them was built in 1848. It stands at Broadway and Hicks street. In 1859 it was called the First Presbyterian church. Later it has been known as the First United Presbyterian church. The first pastor was Reverend Joseph Sanderson. He was installed in 1850, but remained only a short time. The church was without a pastor for two or three years. Andrew Thomas was installed in 1856, but served only a short pas- torate. James Gubby was installed in 1858, and George A. Magee followed in 1859. Reverend John P. Robb was installed in 1860, and served the church about thirteen years. Reverend M. S. McCord commenced his pastorate about 1875, and continues at the present time. The church has about 250 members.
The Broadway Methodist Episcopal church had its roots in the Federal Street M. E. church, which was organized April 28th, 1851. The congregation had been gathering during the previous year, and meetings were held at the corner of Federal and Dean streets. The present building, located on Broadway, was purchased from the Wes- leyans in 1855, and in 1859 it was removed to its present site and en- larged, at a cost of $2,000. After this church began to occupy the old Wesleyan church on Fountain street it took the name of Foun- tain Street M. E. church, and when it was moved to Broadway about 1859 it assumed the present name. The successive pastors of this church have been: Jonathan Cady, 1853; William Kellen, 1856; J. M. Carroll, 1857; Elisha B. Bradford, 1859; William F. Farrington, 1861; Henry S. White, 1862: C. H. Payne, 1863; John B. Gould, 1866; V. A. Cooper, 1867; J. E. C. Sawyer, 1869; Henry D. Robinson, 1871; J. E. Hawkins, 1872; George W. Miller, 1875; D. A. Whedon, 1876; E. F. Jones, 1878; C. L. Goodell, 1880; C. B. Pitblado, 1883; E. F. Clark, 1886; G. W. King, 1888. The present number of members in full communion is 286. The church property is valued at $25,000. The Sunday school numbers about 250.
The Central Congregational church was organized March 18th, 1852. A handsome brick meeting house was built on Benefit street, near College street, in 1852. During the same year Reverend Leon- ard Swain was installed pastor of the church. He afterward received the degree of D.D. He filled a long and useful pastorate, extending to 1870. After a considerable vacancy his place was supplied by Rev- erend George Harris, Jr., whose pastorate extended to 1883. Rever- end Charles W. Huntington began ministering to this church about 1885 and continued to 1887. His successor was Reverend Edward C. Moore, the present pastor, who was installed January 4th, 1889. The church edifice has an imposing freestone front, surmounted by two towers. A fine Rosevelt organ of three manuals of 58 keys each and
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