USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 58
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
a pedal of 27 keys, 51 stops, and 2,374 pipes, was dedicated April 4th, 1882. A chapel, called the Blackstone Park chapel, has been built by this church within the last year or two. Besides a Sunday school, the second Sunday service is held in it. The membership now is 471. Last year the church contributed nearly $2,000 to foreign mis- sions, and over $3,000 to home missions. The Sunday school num- bers 434.
The Park Street Free Baptist church was organized as the Third Free-will Baptist church, in 1851. It then had 16 members. The church held meetings in Brown Hall, 27 South Main street, and about 1855, purchased a house on Constitution hill, opposite 289 North Main street. A house of worship was erected on the corner of Park and Jewett streets, in 1868, at a cost of about $20,000. A mission was established about 1876, at 30 Hardenburg street. A notable re- vival occurred in 1885, which numbered 50 conversions. The present membership of the church is 184. The Sunday school numbers 166. The following pastors have served the church: William Archer, 1852: James McKenzie, 1856; Joshua A. Stetson, 1859; Joshua Thayer. 1860; Ammi R. Bradbury, 1862-7; Charles S. Perkins, 1868; S. G. Woodrow, 1873; J. M. Brewster, 1875: John T. Ward, 1883; Ernest Wesley, 1889.
Saint Mary's Roman Catholic church embraces in its parish one of the largest congregations in the city, numbering 8,000 souls. It has rapidly increased since it was first started as a mission. The corner stone of a modest wooden building was laid in 1832. This stands on Barton street. It was not formally opened until 1853, when Reverend John Quinn, D.D., was appointed pastor. He was an energetic man and pushed forward the enterprises of the church with commendable vigor. He soon built a pastoral residence, which is still used. He had the old church removed in 1863, and under his direction the building of a new one was begun in 1864. It was dedi- cated July 11th, 1869. On the death of Father Quinn he was buried by the door of the church. Father Sullivan, his successor, opened a parochial school in the old church building, and purchased an estate adjoining the church property on Broadway as a convent and acad- emy for young ladies, first occupied by the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, but later by the Ursuline Nuns. The church celebrated its thirtieth anniversary on Sunday, August 21st, 1882. Reverend Robert J. Sullivan is the present pastor, having occupied that office since 1874. Other clergymen assisting in this church have been: James O'Reilly, 1866; J. S. Flynn, 1867: Michael McClune, 1869; Edward Mungen, 1871; Thomas F. Galvin, 1872; James Murphy and P. J. Keane, 1875; George Mahoney, 1877; James O'Sullivan, 1880; William B. Meenan, 1882; Thomas F. Murphy, 1883; John C. Tennion, William Kennedy, 1885; Thomas L. Kelly, 1887.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church stands at the corner of Hope and Arnold streets. The first steps toward founding this church ap- pear to have been taken in 1851, when a hall was secured, on Benefit street, and services were conducted there by Reverend James K. O'Reilly. The site of the present church was obtained on Hope street, the ground having been previously used as a burial place. A church edifice was soon after erected, and this was dedicated in 1853. Reverend Hugh Carmody was the first resident pastor of the church. He was installed in that office in 1854, and continued two or three years. During the time he built a parochial school on the north side of the church, facing on Hope street. The school was taught by the Sisters of Mercy. The next pastor was Father Peter Browne, who was installed in 1856, and continued about six years. He converted the parochial school into a pastoral residence. In 1863 he was suc- ceeded by Father Peter Kelly, who remained about four years, and during the last year of his term was assisted by Reverend James McCarton. During the time of Father Kelly, above mentioned, the church took fire, and was so much damaged that a considerable part of it had to be rebuilt. The next pastor was Reverend Daniel Kelly, who began in 1867, and continued about ten years in the pastoral office .. He died February 17th, 1877, and was buried in the southeast corner of the churchyard. His parishioners afterward erected a monu- ment over his remains. Father Kelly was assisted in 1869 by Rever- end Joseph O'Keefe, in 1870-72 by William Halligan, in 1875 by James Beaven and W. D. Kelly, and in 1876 by the former. The Jesuit order was introduced in the diocese in 1877, and this church was made the field of their occupation. Under this order Reverend John B. Bapst, S.J., was the first missionary. He took charge in 1877, and continued two or three years. During his time here he was as- sisted by Reverends J. Beaven, Michael Cooke, W. Cleary, S. J., James Teehan, S.J., and Fathers Gaffney and Bric. Since then a large brick parochial school has been erected-about 1885-opened to boys and girls, and a large sacristy has been added at the rear of the church. The building and grounds have otherwise been very much improved, the interior of the church having been entirely decorated anew. The parish now numbers between five and six thousand souls. Reverend W. B. Cleary, S.J., became pastor in 1880, and continued till 1884, meanwhile being assisted in part by Reverends Bric and Noonan, Thomas M. Sheerin, John B. Nagle and Hamilton. Other pastors and assistants since 1885 have been Reverends Fred W. Gockeln, Father Mckinnon, Patrick H. Breman, Henry Kavanagh, A. Keating, James Noonan, W. R. Cowasdin, John B. Nagle and Father Hamilton.
The Church of the Messiah, Episcopal, was organized at Olney- ville in 1855. The first pastor was Reverend Benjamin B. Babbitt, who was installed in 1855, and remained about four years. He was succeeded by Reverend William H. Mills, who was installed in 1858,
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
and remained three or four years. Reverend James Mulchahey was pastor for a while about 1862. He was followed by Reverend Fran- cis J. Warner, in 1863-4; E. M. Porter, in 1865, and Reverend B. W. Atwell, in 1866-7. After a short vacancy Reverend Delancey G. Rice came to the church about 1869. His coming was attended with a new output of energy, and a season of more successful and prosper- ous movement followed. The church was located where it remains at the present time, at the corner of High and Valley streets. Mr. Rice officiated as rector of this church until about 1883, when he was followed by Reverend Thomas H. Cocroft, who has retained the rec- torate until the present time. The church wardens are Joseph Gough and Edward M. Winsor. The church is in a prosperous condition. The present number of communicants is 320. The Sunday school numbers 382.
Trinity Methodist Episcopal church was organized in April, 1859. with 35 members. Services had previously been conducted for a few months by Reverend Andrew Mckeown in Lester Hall, on Cranston street, beginning early in 1858. A Sunday school had been formed in January, 1859. A new house of worship was built at the corner of Broad and Bridgham streets in 1865, at a cost of about $40,600. The church has been very active and spiritually prosperous during its career. It now has 640 members in full connection and about 50 pro- bationers. Its church property is valued at $42,000. The Sunday school numbers 994 scholars, and has a library of 1,700 volumes. The successive pastors of this church have been: William McDonald, 1859: Henry S. White, 1861; William F. Farrington. 1862; James D. Butler, 1863; D. H. Ela, 1866; V. A. Cooper, 1869; George L. West- gate, 1871; E. M. Smith, 1874; D. P. Leavitt, 1877; G. W. Anderson, 1880; J. Benson Hamilton, 1883; C. L. Goodell, 1886: Edward R. Thorndike, 1889.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception was established in what was then the town of North Providence in 1857. Reverend Ed- ward J. Cooney was the pioneer who gathered the church. The re- gion was then sparsely inhabited, and the country rough and uncul- tivated, but he pursued his mission with the enthusiasm of a true pioneer, who can see in the rough field of nature the foundation for a teeming population in the future years. His expectations in this direction have already been in a measure realized. The section was made a part of the city by the annexation of the Tenth ward in 1874. A church was built on West River street, and Father Cooney, who was installed as its pastor in 1858, served in that office more than 20 years. It is a remarkable coincidence that his death should have taken place at the very hour when the corner stone of the great cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul was being laid with impressive cere- monies in the presence of the ten thousand assembled spectators. This was Thanksgiving day, 1878. During his time he had built the
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
church, the parochial school adjoining, the parochial residence oppo- site, and the convent and academy adjoining, taught by the Sisters of Charity. From 1867 forward Father Cooney was assisted. for periods of varying duration, by Reverends P. A. Gaynor, Father Mc- Mullen, M. McCabe, J. J. Reynolds, Francis McSweeney, T. Briscoe, William Lowergan, Thomas Grace and Louis Deady. He was stic- ceeded in 1879 by Reverend John Keegan, who continued until 1883. He was assisted by Reverends James Daly, Louis Deady, John O'Connell, John E. Gormley and Daniel Driscoll. Reverend John J. Maguire, who has been pastor since 1884, has done much toward im- proving the church property, and has redecorated the interior of church and school house. He has been assisted by Reverend John WV. McCarthy. The parish now includes about 6,000 souls. The So- ciety of the Children of Mary, connected with it, is one of the largest in the diocese.
The first Jewish congregation in this city was incorporated at the May session of the legislature of 1855. A few of that denomination had resided here for many years. After the Spanish and Portuguese Jews were driven out of Newport by the British army in the revolu- tion, a few of them came to Providence, but they were not strong enough to organize a synagogue. They passed the years in unor- ganized seclusion until the time of which we have spoken. They were fortified in the meantime by accessions of German, Russian and Polish Jews. Two classes appear among them, the Orthodox and the Reformed; the former holding with more strict conformity to the ritual of their fathers, while the latter yield a little in some points to the progressive spirit of the century. The Russian, Polish and some Germans claim to belong to the former class, while other Germans belong to the latter. The incorporation of 1855, of which we have spoken, was granted on the petition of Joseph Stern, Solomon Pa- reira, Abraham H. Goodman, David de Young, M. Marks, Henry Solo- mon and Isaac Fish. Their corporate name was Sons of Israel. The men named, together with a few of their associates, held services in their own residences, and afterward in different halls in the city. In 1859 they were at 56 Weybosset street; in 1861 at 42 Broad street; in 1873 in Music Hall Building. While struggling for years under the Orthodox ritual they were not able to strengthen or to infuse new life into their congregation. Their religious leaders during those early years were: Moses Cohen, 1858; Lazarus Kantrowitz, 1859; Abraham Jacobs, 1862; Moses Jacobs, 1866; Abraham Jacobs, 1867; A. Pearlman, 1869; Hermann Bleichrod, 1871; Herman Pflaum, 1873. The Orthodox, whose organization we have thus far noticed, hold the old forms of ritual, saying their prayers in Hebrew only, but giving their discourses in German, with heads covered, worship with their faces toward Jerusalem, and keep the women apart from the men in their congregations. The Reformed congregation have prayers in
31
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
both Hebrew and German, discourses in English, and men and women sit together, though they still worship with their faces toward Jeru- salem. This congregation organized about 1872, under the name Sons of David. They worshipped at 143 Canal street, and later at 37 South Main street. Their rabbi have been: Isaac Rosenberg, 1872; A. N. Coleman, 1876. In 1877 the two divisions were united, as the congregation of Israel and David. Succeeding rabbi were: Jacob Voorsanger, 1878; Marx Moses, 1879; M. Rodenberg. 1880. From the time of the union in 1877, the congregation has been more successful. They then leased the little chapel at the corner of Page and Pine streets, remodelled it at considerable expense, and occupied it as a place of worship until 1882, when they secured the hall at 98 Wey- bosset street, which they have since used. The present rabbi, Doc- tor M. Sessler, has urged the matter of building a synagogue, and by the help of other friends the work seems likely to be accomplished at an early day, such a building being now in process of construction. The congregation Sons of Israel at present consists of 45 members, has a Sabbath school of 65 children, a Bible class of 45 members, and as its auxiliaries, a Ladies' and Young Sons of Israel Society.
The corner stone of the new Jewish synagogue was laid with ceremonies by the Masonic fraternity, September 23d, 1889. It is located on a lot at the corner of Friendship and Foster streets, pur- chased during the year, at a cost of $6.500. The lot is about 40x96 feet. The building is of the Romanesque style of architecture, con- structed of Springfield brick with brown stone trimmings. The height of the building is 48 feet, with a tower 78 feet. It will be lighted with cathedral tint windows, upon which are Hebraic tablets in scriptural design. The building will seat about 500 persons. In the rear of the pulpit will be placed the Ark of the Covenant and other symbols of the church, including the tablets and the urn of sacred oil. The cost of the building is about $14,000.
The Church of the Redeemer, Episcopal, was organized April 5th, 1859. They immediately set about building a church. It was done during the same year, and cost about $12,000. It was the first free Episcopal church in the city, and this element is secured in perpetu- ity by the conditions of title under which the property is held. The church stands on North Main street, near Lippitt. Reverend Charles HI. Wheeler, the first rector, was installed in 1860. He maintained a rectorate extending a quarter of a century, down to 1885. He was succeeded in 1886 by Reverend Frederick J. Bassett, the present rec- tor. The wardens are George D. Briggs and C. B. Manchester. The present number of communicants is 250, and the Sunday school num- bers about the same.
Christ church, Episcopal, was organized in 1865. The church is the outgrowth of a mission, which previous to Easter, 1867, was in charge of the Bishop Seabury Association of Brown University. At
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
that time Reverend Samuel H. Webb became rector, and he still re- tains that office. The first edifice stood at the corner of Eddy and Oxford streets, and was built in 1867. The present house of worship, occupying the same site, was consecrated in September, 1889. The architecture of the church is mainly Gothic. The building is about 100x80 feet, with a tower 120 feet high. Upon a granite base the walls are of Danvers pressed brick, with brown stone trimmings. The church will seat about 800 persons. The house has a number of elegant memorial windows, as well as many other features of artistic ornamentation and elegant finish. The cost of the building and organ was about $30,000. The church now has 240 communicants. The Sunday school numbers 250. The wardens are William J. Cross- ley and George W. Dickinson.
The Church of the Epiphany was organized in 1875. It had been maintained as a mission under the name of the Holy Cross from about 1870, when it was in charge of Reverend F. Coggeshall, Jr. Its location is at Elmwood, near the corner of Potter's avenue and Greenwich street. Reverend Charles S. Newbold was the first rec- tor. He was followed by Reverend J. M. C. Fulton about 1880. In that year the present church edifice was erected, at a cost of $10,000. The church sustains a mission at Auburn. organized in 1885. Rev- erend Henry Bassett became rector about 1883, and continues at the present time. The church has 211 communicants. A flourishing Sunday school of 420 is maintained by it. The church wardens are Edward D. Bassett and William Halton.
St. Paul's Episcopal church was organized as St. Gabriel's Mission in 1871. It is located at No. 10 Carroll street. The first rector was Reverend C. W. Perry, 1871-2. His successor was Reverend James W. Colwell, 1873 to 1877. He was followed by Reverend John C. Brooks for a short period about 1878. Reverend A. B. Carver com- menced his rectorate about 1880, continuing five years. During the latter part of his term the church moved to its present house on Carroll street, near Orms. Reverend Isaac T. Bagnall became rector about 1885, and continued to 1887. He was succeeded by Reverend Samuel Snelling, who still remains in the office. The present church wardens are William Foster and William Staples. The present num- ber of communicants is 138. A flourishing Sunday school connected with this church numbers 155.
The Greenwich Street Free Baptist church was organized August 15th, 1870. Its original membership was 15 in number. They im- mediately set about the erection of a house of worship on the corner of Greenwich and West Friendship streets, which is still occupied by them. It was completed in 1871 at a cost of $16,000. The first pastor was Reverend J. Mariner, who began his service in 1871 and continued about four years. He was followed by Reverend C. A. Bickford. from 1876 to 1878. Reverend Lewis Dexter became pastor
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IHISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
about 1878, and continued some four years. He was followed by Reverend Hector Canfield in 1882. The church was repaired and greatly improved in 1882 and the following year, and again a year or two later, the expense aggregating about $6,000. Mrs. Phebe Swarts presented the church with a pipe organ in 1885. Reverend E. W. Ricker began ministering to this church in 1885, and remains at the present time. The vestry was re-seated in 1888. Other li- censed ministers connected with this church, besides the pastor, are M. N. Davison and W. N. Patt. The present membership is 249. The Sunday school numbers nearly as many.
A mission was established by the Roman Catholics on Prairie avenue in 1857. It was called St. Bernard's church. In 1859 Vicar- General O'Reilley purchased a meeting house that had once been occupied by the Baptists, and after renovating and improving it, dedi- cated it to the patron saint as above. Reverend Bernard V. Coit be- came its first pastor, continuing from 1860 to 1863. He was succeeded by Reverend Daniel Mullen, who continued about a year and a half. Reverend M. A. Wallace, D.D., LL.D., became the pastor in 1865, and after a long term of honored service he remains at the present time. His assistants for varying periods have been: Reverends James Fitzsimon, 1871; P. Petrarra, 1875; W. J. Wiseman and George Mahoney, 1876; Bernard Boylan, 1877; James K. Beaven, 1878; M. O'Hare, 1880; Michael J. Cook, 1881: J. Redding, 1884; Thomas E. Kenny, 1885; P. F. McKenna, 1886; W. J. Galvin, 1887. The growth of the church in 1867 demanded greater accommodations. An ad- ditional lot was purchased in the rear, and the old church was moved upon it, where it still remains as a part of the asylum institution, and a new church was immediately commenced on the former site. On its completion this was dedicated by Bishop MeFarland, the name St. Michael's now being adopted. A sacristy has since been added, and also a parochial residence has been built on Prairie avenue, at the right of the church. The parish includes about 4,000 souls.
The Church of the Saviour was organized in 1863. It obtained possession of the old church on the corner of Benefit and Transit streets, which had been occupied by St. Stephen's church, but was vacated in 1862 by their removal to their new church on George street. The first rector of the Church of the Saviour was Reverend Leander C. Manchester, who continued from 1863 to 1866. He was followed by Reverend Amos Skeele, who served from 1868 to 1875. Reverend John C. Hewlett was rector from 1876 to about 1882. He was followed by Reverend H. U. Munro, who continued till 1888. The present rector, Reverend Edwin L. Drown, began in 1889. The membership of the church embraces about 150 communicants. The Sunday school numbers 120. Messrs. A. W. Mathewson and Charles H. Mumford are the church wardens.
The Union Sea and Land Mission has been in operation since-
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
1864. It is unsectarian, and services are conducted in the open air, either on the wharves or on shipboard. In its early history it occu- pied Pioneer Hall, and since 1881 has had headquarters at 108 John street. Reverend Charles H. Plummer has, from the year 1864, been superintendent of the enterprise.
The North Congregational church had its beginning in the Charles street Congregational Sunday school, which was organized September 7th, 1856, in a chapel near the Corliss Engine Works, tin- der the care of the Central Congregational church. The Charles Street Congregational church was organized June 6th, 1865. Rever- end George Huntington was the first pastor, beginning in 1867, or about that time, and continuing several years. Reverend Henry T. Arnold was minister in 1875 to 1877. In the latter year Reverend Adelbert F. Keith began preaching for this church as a supply. After several years passed in this way he was installed as pastor July 9th, 1883. The new church building on Walling street was in that year occupied. The name of the church was changed to its present form in January, 1880. Mr. Keith continued as pastor until 1888. Reverend Palmer S. Hulbert, the present pastor, began in the office in January, 1889. The church now has 228 members, comprehended in 130 families. The Sunday school, of which Charles H. Philbrick is superintendent, numbers about 250, and has an average attendance of 150.
St. James's Episcopal church had its origin in a mission estab- lished on Atwell's avenue about 1867. The church was organized in 1869. The present edifice on Gesler street was erected in 1868. With its organization the church was admitted to the diocesan con- vention. The first rector was Reverend William D. U. Sherman, who filled a long term of service, reaching to 1879. He was suc- ceeded in 1880 by Reverend W. F. B. Jackson, who in turn was suc- ceeded two or three years since by Reverend Julius W. Atwood, the present rector. The wardens are A. M. Bowen and Ebenezer Nich- ols. The church now has about 200 communicants. The Sunday school numbers 225.
The Broadway Baptist church was constituted in 1865. The Rhode Island Baptist State Convention inaugurated action in that direction by calling a meeting for the purpose, in October, 1864. During that month services were begun in Armory Hall, by Rever- end John Blain, and continued for six months, at the end of which time the church was organized, having ten members. The first pastor was Reverend H. S. Inman. Following him were Reverends B. P. Byram, 1869 to 1873; B. S. Morse, 1874 to 1881, and J. V. Ouster- hout, 1881 to the present time. The present handsome edifice located on Broadway and Harris avenue, was erected in 1869, at a cost of about $40,000. It was improved in 1883, by the building of galleries in the auditorium. The total number of members at the
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IHISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
present time is 467. The Sunday school, organized in 1864, now numbers more than 900 members, being the largest Baptist Sunday school in the state. Mr. Charles W. Calder has been its superinten- dent since 1871.
The South Baptist church was constituted in 1860, with 24 mem- bers. Its first location was on Potter's avenue, at the corner of Plane street, where a house of worship was built in the same year. The first pastor was Reverend E. K. Fuller. Other pastors since then have been: Reverends J. E. Bell, 1869; George W. Bixby, 1871-6; S. G. Woodrow, 1877-80; T. E. Bartlett, 1880 to the present time. A more commodious house of worship was commenced in 1884, which was completed in 1886. It stands at the corner of Ocean and Gallup streets. The total membership is 181. The Sunday school, which was organized in 1844, has 400 members, more than one hundred of whom are over 15 years of age. It has a library of 700 volumes.
The Elmwood Congregational church was organized in 1851. It was then associated with the Valley Congregational Society, which had been established on Valley street since 1849. Reverend Christopher C. Mason was pastor of the society in 1850. Fora year or two after that the pulpit was not regularly supplied. Then for a time the house of worship was occupied by Episcopalian services. In 1863 the society was worshipping on Potter's avenue, and Reverend Samuel S. Tap- pan was their pastor. He was succeeded in 1866 by Reverend George Huntington. The Elmwood Congregational church was in 1869 located on Greenwich street, at the corner of Marshapaug street. Reverend Henry A. Wales was pastor from that year to 1871. He was followed by Reverend Jeremiah Taylor, 1872 to 1877. Reverend G. F. Humphreys was pastor from 1878 to 1880. He was followed by Reverend L. L. Briggs, 1881-2, and he by Reverend I. H. Bartlett Headley, in 1883. Reverend Horace Winslow began serving this church January 1st, 1884, and continued until 1886. Reverend John E. Wildey commenced his pastorate April 22d, 1886, and still con- tinues in that office. The church is in a flourishing condition, its membership having increased 50 in the last four years. It now num- bers 133. Elisha C. Austin is superintendent of the Sunday school, which numbers 165. The church edifice was improved with stained glass windows and interior renovation, at a cost of $1.500, in 1884 5.
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