abstracted from
Italo-Americans of Rhode Island
An Historical and Biographical Survey of the Origin, Rise and
Progress of Rhode Islanders of Italian Birth or Descent
by Ubaldo U. M. Pesaturo, second edition
Visitor Printing Co., Providence, R.I.: Copyright, 1940
pp. 22 - 23.
'BROADWAY ITALIAN METHODIST CHURCH.
The Broadway Italian Methodist Church originated in 1900 and was
organized in the same year. It has maintained a continuous existence
from that time.
[illustration, Broadway Italian Methodist Church]
The first pastor was Rev. Agide Pirazzini, who came here in 1900 from
Rome, Italy. For a while he conducted a mission at the corner of
Atwells avenue and America street. He was succeeded in 1903 by Rev.
Philip Manfre, who came here from Palermo, Italy, and lost his life
in the sinking of the Larchmont, in March, 1907. He was followed by
Rev. John May who served up to 1915; Rev. Edward Mascellaro who
served from 1915 to 1918; Rev. Vincent Ambrosini who served from 1918
to 1922; Rev. David Acquarone served from 1923 to 1927; Rev. Vincent
Del Rosso, who came to Providence from Philadelphia in 1927.
Under the pastorate of Rev. Del Rosso, the church has moved on
Broadway, where it occupies the beautiful edifice formerly held by
the Broadway M. E. Church. The various church activities are
vigorous, and there is every prospect for an increasingly bright
future. The church has now a membership of more than 100 Italians and
a Sunday School of more than 100 children of Italian parentage.
The Huguenot Society, founded by the members of this church on
January 1, 1927, was organized for the purpose of promoting Christian
brotherhood, to foster liberty of conscience, and to bestow mutual
aid in time of sickness and need. The membership of this organization
is made up of protestant brethren and sympathizers of Italian descent.
The trustees of this church are Michael Conca, Tommaso Lobello and
Frank Del Deo.
Since his coming to Providence, Rev. Del Rosso has devoted his full
energy and his distinguished ability to the development of his work,
with the result that the Broadway Italian Methodist Church is,
without doubt, one of the most flourishing Italian Protestant
churches. He has endeared himself greatly to all the members of his
church, as well as to the community at large, and is highly respected
and loved by all who know him."