First Unitarian Church of Providence (Rhode Island)
| First Unitarian Church of Providence | |
|---|---|
 | |
  First Unitarian Church of Providence (Rhode Island) Location within the state of Rhode Island | |
| 41°49′27.6″N 71°24′18.4″W / 41.824333°N 71.405111°W | |
| Location | 1 Benevolent Street, Providence, Rhode Island |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Unitarian Universalist |
| Membership | 600 |
| Website | http://www.firstunitarianprov.org |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | John Holden Greene |
| Completed | 1816 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | ashlar-laid white stone |
| Clergy | |
| Minister(s) | James Ishmael Ford |
First Unitarian Church of Providence is a Unitarian Universalist congregation located in Providence, Rhode Island. The congregation was founded in 1723, and the current church building was dedicated in 1816.[1]
History
The first churches in Providence were Baptist.[1] It wasn't until 1721 that the First Congregational Society was formed, and it erected its first house of worship in 1723.[2] This building was known as the "Old Town House", and stood where the Providence County Courthouse now stands.[2] By 1728, there were nine members of the congregation, led by Josiah Cotton as pastor.[2]
A new, larger building was built on the corner of Benefit and Benevolent Streets, where the current church now stands. This building was destroyed by fire June 14, 1814.[2]
Building
The current building was designed by local architect John Holden Greene, who designed many buildings in Providence. The design scheme of a pedimented portico in front of a tower and tall spire was similar to Charles Bulfinch's design for Boston's New South Church.[1]
The building was dedicated October 13, 1816.[2] It was built with white stone quarried in Johnston, Rhode Island.[1] The original floor plan was 77 x 80 feet. The spire is 189 feet, 11 inches tall. The original cost was over $50,000.[2]
The bell in the church's bell tower is the largest cast by the Paul Revere foundry in Canton, Massachusetts.[1]
Renovations were made to the building in 1868 and 1916.[1] In 1966, a bolt of lightning started a fire, which burned for four hours. Plaster detailing was destroyed along with the church's organ, but both were meticulously restored.[1] The architect for the restoration was Irving B. Haynes, of Johnson & Haynes.[3]
Theology
Although founded as a congregationalist church, the church later became explicitly Unitarian in theology under the leadership of Rev. Henry Edes (1803-1832).[1] For many years it was known as The First Congregational Church (Unitarian).[1] In April 1953 the congregation voted to change the name to The First Unitarian church of Providence.[1]
Notable masses and members
- Providence Mayor Thomas A. Doyle's memorial funeral service was held here on Monday June 14, 1886.[4]
- A funeral mass for Sarah Elizabeth Doyle, suffragist, educator and sister of Mayor Thomas Doyle, was held in December 1922.[5]
- Frank F. Olney (1851—1903), 18th mayor of Providence, was a member[6]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "About Us: Church History". Retrieved 2014-05-10.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Greene, Welcome Arnold (1886). The Providence plantations for two hundred and fifty years. Providence, Rhode Island: J.A. & R.A. Reid. p. 148.
- ↑ Woodward, William McKenzie. Providence: A Citywide Survey of Historic Resources. 1986.
- ↑ Memorial of Thomas Arthur Doyle, Mayor of the City of Providence. Providence, Rhode Island: Providence City Council. 1887. pp. 5–13. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ↑ "Sarah E. Doyle, Suffrage Worker and Teacher, Dead". The Providence Journal. 22 December 1922. p. 1.
- ↑ Representative Men and Old Families of Rhode Island. J.H. Beers & Company. 1908. pp. 58–62. Retrieved 17 May 2015.