USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 59
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The African Union Methodist church was organized in 1860, with 75 members. The house of worship at 16 Clayton street, still occu- pied, was erected in 1860, at a cost of $700. The successive pastors of this church have been: Daniel L. Smith, Isaac R. Johnson, 1869; Thomas H. Beckman, 1872; James L. Smith, 1873; James W. Myers, 1876; William Matthews, 1878; Dennis Johnson, 1881; E. Billings, 1882; Dennis Johnson, 1883; J. W. Leekins, 1886. The membership is about 25.
In 1868 the Methodists conducted a mission at the engine station
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on Mill street. This was called the North Mission, and was in charge of Reverend John Livesay. The Asbury M. E. Church was organized April 5th of that year, with twenty members. They im- mediately set about building a church, which was completed during the year. A new brick church was built on the same site in 1887. This is a handsome building, with granite trimmings, and cost about $28,000. The successive pastors of this church have been: John Livesay, 1868-70; A. N. Bodfish, 1870-1; John F. Sheffield, 1872; A. Anderson, 1874; S. Leader, 1877; W. H. Stetson, 1879; H. B. Cady, 1881; W. J. Smith, 1884; G. W. Hunt, 1887: S. H. Day, 1889. The full number of members now is about 400. In 1888 the church paid $11,000 on the expense incurred in building the new church, and there was then left a debt of only $10,000 to clear off that expense entirely. The salary of the pastor is $1,400. The Sunday school numbers over 400.
The Mount Zion Methodist church, of colored people, had its beginning as early as 1861. For a year or two services were held in private houses, but in 1863 a church was built. It stands on Lilac street. Recently the name Lilac Street M. E. church has been given to it. Successive pastors since 1869 have been: E. J. Miller, 1869; Allen Walker, 1870; Silas A. Mitchell, W. D. F. Pyle, 1876: S. E. Birchmore, 1878; T. E. Aldridge, 1880; George H. Washington, 1882; Mrs. Annie F. Freeman. 1885; Moses P. Hawkins, 1888; J. E. Peterson, 1889. The church numbers about 80 members. In 1883 this church withdrew from the New England Conference, and remains an independent church.
St: Paul's Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1854. The first house of worship was at the corner of Potter's avenue and Eddy street. The first pastor was Reverend J. T. Benton. Local preachers supplied the pulpit for a number of years. The church was formerly known as the South Methodist. In 1871 the church moved to its new house of worship at the corner of Swan and Plane streets, and after that it was known as St. Paul's M. E. church. Rev- erend S. J. Carroll was its pastor in 1869 to 1871. Later pastors have been: Alfred A. Presbrey, 1872; A. E. Hall, 1874; Walter J. Yates, 1875; A. Anderson, 1877; T. J. Everett, 1880; S. Sprowls, 1883; C. H. Ewer, 1885; E. D. Hall, 1886; B. W. Hutchinson, 1889. The church property was improved in rebuilding and repairing, to the amount of about $6,000, in 1885, and its full value now is estimated at $17,000. The membership of the church now numbers about 200. The Sun- day school has an average attendance of 150, and an enrolled num- ber of over 200. Itslibrary numbers nearly a thousand volumes.
The Central Baptist church maintained for some time a chapel on Cranston street, near Messer street. A church was organized there in October, 1870, largely from the Central Baptist membership. Its original membership was 56. Reverend M. H. Bixby has been pas-
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tor of this church from its organization to the present time. The original chapel has been enlarged several times to keep pace with the increase of the congregation. It is now a stately and spacious building, comprising 16 rooms besides the auditorium. It was first dedicated in December, 1869, and opened for regular worship in Janu- ary, 1870. The average addition of members to this church has been about 50 a year. Its present membership is 625. A mission on Jack- son avenue was established by this church in 1889, and a chapel built there to accommodate its Sunday school and worship in the same year. Mr. Howard Pepper is superintendent of the Sunday school there, which numbers 183. The Cranston Street Sunday school num- bers 840, and has a library of 1,200 volumes. Mr. Robert B. Holden has been its superintendent since 1870, the time of its present organi- zation. This church has had a remarkable career of healthy and ac- tive progress, and in its efforts has been remarkably successful and prosperous.
Serviees for French Catholics were held here under the name of St. John's church in 1874. Reverend N. Hardy was then pastor, con- tinuing some two or three years. In 1878 Reverend C. P. Gaboury became pastor, and a more definite organization was effected in Au- gust of that year. Their meetings for worship were formerly held in the hall of La Salle Academy, on Fountain street. A new church on Harrison street was erected, and this was dedicated in July, 1881, to the name of St. Charles Borromeo. Since then the church has been known as St. Charles's. A parochial residence is attached to the church in the rear. The congregation of this church numbers some 1,200. Reverend Edward E. Nobert has been pastor since 1888, assisted by L. Joseph Jourdain and James Major.
The Union Congregational church was organized in 1871. Its con- stituency came from the former Richmond Street and High Street churches, the former contributing 287 and the latter 294 members. The corner stone of the house of worship on Broad street, near Stew- art street, was laid April 19th, 1870, and the house was dedicated June 27th, 1872. Reverend Kinsley Twining was pastor from 1872 to 1875. The church building is a fine brick edifice, in Gothic style, de- signed by William R. Walker. Its trimmings are of stone. It has two towers, of unequal height. The interior is handsomely finished, and the seats are arranged as in an amphitheatre. In the rear is a chapel, similar in architecture, used for Sunday school purposes. Reverend A. J. F. Behrends succeeded Mr. Twining in 1876, and con- tinued until 1883. Reverend J. Hall MeIlvaine became pastor of this church June 20th. 1883, and resigned the charge in November, 1888. During this time the church established a mission at Mount Pleasant. This was commenced August Ist, 1884, and in a few months a Sun- day school of 200 scholars was gathered there and a good wor- shipping assembly. A chapel of commodious size, to seat 550 per-
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sons, was built, at a cost of $7,500. In the work at Mount Pleasant Reverend A. L. Kelly was employed, and a church of 40 or 50 mem- bers was organized in 1885. This is now known as the Academy Avenue Congregational church. Reverend Edward O. Bartlett suc- ceeded Mr. Kelly as its pastor October 18th, 1887, and is still acting in that office. That church now numbers 163 members, and has a Sunday school of about 250 in average attendance. Mr. Lewis H. Meader is its superintendent. Reverend E. B. Webb served the Union Congregational church for a while as stated supply, after the resignation of Mr. Mellvaine. This church numbers S50 members, and includes in its parish some 600 families. Its annual contribu- tions to foreign missions amount to $2,500, and those to home mis- sions double that amount. Its Sunday school, of whom William W. Rickard is superintendent, numbers 550.
The Advent Christian church was organized in 1871 with ten mem- bers. It met in Lester Hall, on Cranston street. Elder M. R. Phette- place was the first pastor, continuing from the organization to 1875. The present edifice, on Hammond street, was erected in the summer of 1873. Reverend A. W. Sibley was pastor in 1876, and was followed in 1877 by Reverend A. A. Hoyt. Reverend Norman P. Cook be- came its pastor in 1879, and continues to the present time. The church has about 150 members, and the Sunday school connected with it numbers about the same.
The Plymouth Congregational church was organized March 6th, 1878, with 30 members. Its first place of worship was on Prairie avenue, at the corner of Colwell street. The first pastor was Rever- end Henry B. Roberts. He was succeeded by Reverend Henry A. Blake, who began his pastorate May 2d, 1884, and continued until December, 1888. Reverend Thornton A. Mills, the present pastor, began his service of this church on Easter Sabbath, 1889. A house of worship was built on Richardson street, near Broad, in 1880-1. The church now numbers about 250 members, and the parish com- prehends about 400 families. The Sunday school numbers 450, with an average attendance of 250. The superintendent is Mr. Lewis Wiswall.
The Church of the Assumption, R. C., was established at Elmwood in May. 1870, by Reverend Michael McClune, who became its first pastor, and continued in that office until 1887. For the last few years of his pastorate he was assisted by Reverends D. A. Quinn and John H. Hurley. A wooden church building was erected in 1870, on Pot- . ter's avenue, near Cranston street. A pastoral residence has since been added, and their church property is now valued at about $30,000.
The First Presbyterian church was organized October 25th, 1872. Its meeting place then was in the Academy of Music, 129 Westmin- ster street. In 1876 the present church edifice was completed and
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the church began to occupy it. This stands on the corner of Clifford and Claverick streets, and its cost was about $37,000. The first pastor was Reverend John Dixon, who continued with the church from the start till about 1877. He was succeeded in 1878 by Reverend Thomas Parry. Reverend Robert D. Sproull followed, about 1880, and re- signed in June, 1886. The present pastor, J. A. F. McBain, followed a few months later. The church has about 300 members.
A Baptist chapel was erected at Wanskuck in 1867, upon land given for the purpose by Mrs. Jesse Metcalf. The building is a sub- stantial stone structure, located on Veazie street, and cost about $3,000. A church, called Roger Williams Baptist church, was consti- tuted there in 1877. Reverend William Phillips had supplied the chapel from 1874 to 1876. The first pastor of the new church was Reverend R. S. Colwell, 1877. Reverend F. Denison supplied in 1878. Reverend E. B. Eddy became pastor in 1879. The church had 149 members in 1880. Reverend William E. Needham became pas- tor in 1883, to 1884; B. L. Whitman labored for the church in that office 1885 to 1887; and Edward Mills became pastor in 1887. The chapel was enlarged and improved in 1889. It has 164 members. The Sunday school was organized in 1865. Mr. James Stokes is now superintendent, and the school numbers about 450.
St. Edward's Roman Catholic church on Branch avenue, Wans- kuck, grew out of a mission under the care of the Church of the Im- maculate Conception, established in 1865 as St. Joseph's. It became an independent parish in 1874, and was organized under the present name and under the pastoral care of Reverend James Finnegan, who remains in charge still. The parish was enlarged in 1878. The cor- ner stone of a new building was laid Sunday, June 13th, 1886, which being completed was occupied in 1887. It stands near the corner of Geneva street and Branch avenue, and cost about $30,000, being one of the most commodious churches in the city. The parish of St. Ed- ward's comprises about 1,500 souls.
Arlington Free Baptist church is the outgrowth of what was known as Roger Williams Free Baptist Mission, established on Cranston street, at the foot of Rocky Hill road, about 1875. From the date mentioned forward it was in charge of Reverend R. H. Tozer. About 1877 its location was changed to New Depot avenue, Cranston, and in 1881 the name was changed to its present form. Reverend A. Given was associated with the church as pastor in 1882, and Reverend Dudley E. Clark in 1884. Reverend G. N. Musgrove became pastor in the latter part of 1887. The church is in a prosper- ous and hopeful condition, pays its pastor a salary of $800, makes con- tributions to many benevolent causes, has a membership of about 70 and a Sunday school of 150.
St. Thomas's Episcopal church is located on Douglas avenue, near Wanskuck. It was established about 1876 under the charge of Rev-
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erend James W. Colwell, then rector of St. Paul's. It has been since . that time associated in ministerial supply with St. Paul's. Its pres- ent rector is Reverend Samuel Snelling. The church wardens are William J. Uglow and James Slater. It has a membership of 45 com- municants and a Sunday school of 140.
The Allen Mission was established at 116 Cranston street, about 1877. In 1879 it was moved to A street, and in the following year the chapel was occupied. This mission has been supplied by the following ministers: J. T. Hayslett, 1877; William H. Thomas, 1879; William H. Yeocum, 1880; Carter Wright, 1883; H. Brown, 1886; J. T. Hayslett, 1887, to the present time.
The Free Religious Society was organized in February, 1874. The society is independent, and leaves its members to the free exercise of their religious belief. The meetings of the society were at first held in Lyceum Hall, 61 Westminster street; in 1876, at 57 Snow street; in 1878, in the vestry of Bell Street chapel; in 1881, at South Main and Power streets: in 1882, in rear of Music Hall, on Aborn street; in 1884 and since then, in Blackstone Hall, corner of Wash- ington and Snow streets. Since their establishing at the latter place Reverend Frederic A. Hinckley has been their leader. A Sunday school was organized in 1878.
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ. Latter Day Saints, was formed in this city in 1869. They at first met at the junction of Broad and High streets. In 1872 they were under the leadership of Reverend C. W. Brown, and met at 281 High street. They had vari- ous local habitations for short periods, but in 1882 hired again the hall at 281 High street and fitted it up more permanently. In 1884 Francis M. Sheehy was their leader. The denomination to which this church belongs believe in the Bible as the word of God, and also think that the Book of Mormon as revealed to Joseph Smith is in- spired. They do not believe in the doctrine of polygamy as prac- ticed by the Mormons of Utah, and their organization is distinct from that of Utah Mormonism. The denomination dates from 1859, and claims to be the historic successor of the original Mormon church. This claim has been recognized by the United States courts. The membership of the Providence church is about 200.
The Union American M. E. church (colored) was organized in 1874, and incorporated June 1st, 1882. Their first location was at the junction of Mill and North Main streets. A house of worship, the one at present occupied, was purchased in May, 1881. Pastors of this church have been: Reverends B. B. Harris, J. R. Brooks, W. A. Jack- son, A. J. Gaston and Lemuel Lomack. The membership is about 70 and the Sunday school numbers rather larger.
The Mount Pleasant Baptist church was constituted in 1883, with 25 members. Its first pastor was Reverend Wesley L. Smith, whose service began with the organization of the church. A Sunday school
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had been organized here and maintained since 1878, on Chalkstone avenue. From this the church grew. The chapel, which had been erected for the Sunday school, was removed to Academy avenue and Roanoke street, and enlarged and improved at a cost of about $8,000. This was done soon after the organization of the church. A new pipe organ was presented to the church in 1885. Reverend C. A. Maryott became pastor in 1889. The present membership of the church is about 75. The Sunday school numbers 210.
The Branch Avenue Baptist church was the outgrowth of a Stin- day school which was established in 1878. The church was recog- nized by council May 19th, 1886, being organized with 50 members from the Fourth Baptist church. Reverend E. P. Tuller became the first pastor, with the organization of the church. He resigned in May, 1887. Reverend Theodore C. Gleason became pastor in June, 1887, and continues at the present time. An addition was built to the chapel in 1886. The chapel building and grounds before this improvement had cost about $5,000. The present membership of the church is about 100. Mr. George E. Weeden has been superintend- ent of the Sunday school since 1879. The school numbers 220.
The Roman Catholic church of St. John the Evangelist was estab- lished April 8th, 1870. Its parish was made up from parts of the parishes of Sts. Peter and Paul and St. Mary's. Reverend John J. McCabe gathered the church and has been its pastor from the begin- ning to the present time. He has been assisted at different times by Reverends Francis Tuite, 1875; James Walsh, 1877; William Dullard, 1883: Henry Conboy, 1884; William Kelley, 1885; Thomas L. Kelley, 1886; D. Coughlin and D. Sheedy, 1887; B. MeCahill, 1888. The com- modious and handsome brick church, at the corner of Atwell's ave- nue and Sutton street, was erected at a cost of about $100,000, and is one of the largest churches in the state. The corner stone was laid by Bishop McFarland in 1871, and the house was dedicated by Bishop Hendricken September 19th, 1875. Father MeCabe has since erected a pastoral residence contiguous to the church, but fronting on Sutton street. The congregation of this church numbers some 5,000 per- sons. Of the numerous societies within its circle it has the largest Holy Name Society in the diocese. It also has the largest choir of any church in the diocese.
St. Theresa's Roman Catholic church, on Manton avenue, was formed in 1884, the first service under its auspices being held in Unity Hall, Olneyville, January 15th of that year. The parish was formed from parts of St. Mary's and St. John's. Reverend Edward Murphy was appointed its first pastor. He was assisted by Reverend James Looby, 1886 to the present time. Reverend Farrell O'Reilly became pastor in 1888, and James A. Gleason an assistant in 1889. A church was soon commenced, and was dedicated early in the year
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1885. The first service held in it was April 20th of that year. The congregation numbers about 2,000 souls.
The Church of the Holy Name was formed by the Reverend J. V. Brennan, from members of St. Joseph's, Immaculate Conception, and St. Patrick's parishes, near Doyle avenue, in November, 1882. Ser- vices were at first held in a hall at the head of Constitution hill. The church at the corner of Jenkins and Knowles streets was built in 1883, the work being begun in May of that year. The building, which comprises hall, school rooms and chapel, was dedicated by Bishop Hendricken, March 29th, 1884. Reverend James C. Walsh has been pastor since 1884, and in 1889 has been assisted by Rever- end George F. McGuire. Father Walsh has erected a handsome pas- toral residence, facing on Camp street. The parish includes about 1,500 persons.
Our Lady of the Rosary is the name of a Portuguese church on Wickenden street. The building was erected for a skating rink, but with the aid of Bishop Hendricken was secured and converted into a church by the Portuguese Catholics, who mainly reside in that part of the city. For years they had held special service on the third Sunday of each month, conducted by the Reverend Father Freitas, of New Bedford. He had charge of the church from its dedication, Sunday, March 23d, 1885, until Father Eliott was appointed its first pastor. Reverend A. L. Serpa, the present pastor, is the first Portu- guese clergyman ordained in the diocese. The congregation of this church is about 1,000.
The Cranston Street Methodist Episcopal church was organized March 9th, 1882, with 15 members. The field had previously for some time been occupied by Sunday schools and mission work by the Methodists. The present meeting house at 441 Cranston street, was erected in 1883, at a cost of about $7,000. The pastors of this church have been: William H. Stetson, 1882; H. E. Cook, 1884; W. H. Allen, 1885; E. F. Jones, 1887; F. P. Parkin, 1888, and E. W. Goodier, 1889. The present membership is a little more than 100. The Sunday school numbers about 250. The Harris Avenue Metho- dist Episcopal church is located on Harris avenue, near Broadway. It was organized March 7th, 1883. Its pastors have been: C. F. Sharpe, 1883; E. F. Jones, 1885; William V. Morrison, 1887, and L. B. Codding, 1889. The present membership is about 140. The church property is valued at about $4,000. The Sunday school num- bers about 275. The church is located in Olneyville.
Ebenezer Baptist church was constituted under its present con- nection in 1887. Previous to this for three or four years they had held services in Slade Building, at 45 Eddy street, and for a year or two after. The church is an offshoot from the Congdon Street church. It had organized under the New Hampshire articles of faith, January 20th, 1884. The church was recognized by a coun-
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cil April 5th, 1887. Reverend B. S. Jones then became their pastor. Their membership was 117. The present church building was erected in 1889, at a cost for the entire property of about $8,000. The present membership is nearly two hundred. The Sunday school which was started in 1884, now numbers 132.
The Swedish Mission of the Methodist Episcopal church meets at 45 Eddy street. It was organized about 1884. The pastors have been: J. M. Ojerholm, 1884; N. Eklund, 1885; Richard Cederberg, 1886 to the present time. It now numbers more than 100 members, and its church property is valued at $10,000, besides which they have a parsonage valued at $2,000. The Sunday school numbers about 100.
The corner stone of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Roman Catholic, at Mount Pleasant, was laid by Bishop Matthew Harkins, June 23d, 1889. The site of this church, decided upon in October, 1888, is one of the most pleasing spots in this pleasant locality. It is on the east side of Academy avenue, and about midway between Atwell's and Chalkstone avenues. A rectory adjoining has also been built. The pastor of this newly established church, is Reverend William I. Simmons.
Ballou Universalist church, on Smith, near Orms street, was or- ganized in 1885, with 23 members. A wooden building was erected in 1887 for purposes of worship, valued at $1,000. The membership of the church at present is 30, and the Sunday school has double that number. Reverend Vincent E. Tomlinson is the first and pres- ent pastor.
CHAPTER XVII.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF PROVIDENCE CITY.
Early Action in Regard to Schools .- First Schoolmaster .- Early Schools .- The Town Votes to Build School Houses .- Efforts to Establish Free Schools .- School Law Passed by Assembly .- Free Schools Established in Providence .- Regulations Con- cerning Them .- More School Houses Built .- The System Re-Organized .- Statistics up to 1840 .- The High School Established .- The Public Schools of the Present .- School Buildings .- Evening Schools .- Statistics Concerning the Schools .- Brown University .- Friends' Yearly Meeting School .- State Normal School .- Rhode Island School for the Deaf .- The School of Design .- The Berkeley School .- Private Clas- sical and Business Schools .- Providence Reform School .- St. Xavier's Academy .- Other Schools.
T HE educational interests of Providence are deserving of more than a passing notice. Its institutions of learning are among the conspicuous ones of the city, and with Brown University among the great national colleges, the city may well be proud of her achievements in this direction. Let us notice the steps by which the enviable position of the present time has been reached from the re- stricted and limited conditions of the chaotic period of society. In the original polity of Rhode Island there was no provision for edu- cation. Like religion, it seems to have been considered not the con- cern of the state, but matter for individual conscience and parental duty. This view prevailed in the councils of the state, but the town in its corporate capacity acted on the question at a much earlier period. In May, 1663, the following order was passed by the pro- prietors: "It is agreed by this present assembly that one hundred acres of upland and six acres of meadow (or lowland to the quantity of eight acres, in lieu of meadow) shall be laid out within the bounds of this town of Providence; the which land shall be reserved for the maintenance of a school in this town; and that after the said land is laid out and the bounds thereof set, it shall be recorded in our town records according unto the bounds fixed, and shall be called by the name of the School Lands of Providence."
This is the earliest grant now to be found in the records and the earliest reference to a school or any means of education. From a petition of John Whipple, Jr., presented to the town January 28th, 1684, it appears that a whole purchase right of land had long before that time been set apart for the use and benefit of a school. The prayer of the petition was that lands should then be laid out under
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