from
History of the State of Rhode Island with Illustrations
Albert J. Wright, Printer
No. 79 Mille Street, corner of Federal, Boston.
Hong, Wade & Co., Philadelphia
1878.
pp. 253 - 283. (part 133)
"The African Methodist Episcopal Church. This society was incorporated
June, 1839. The first meetings were held in a school-house, on Meeting
Street, near where the present church now stands, which was erected in
1866. The first resident pastor of this society was Jabez P.
Campbell. Present membership about three hundred.
The Second African Methodist Episcopal Church. This mission is a branch of
the Meeting-street Church. The chapel which they occupy, is located on A
Street, and was completed, December, 1877. Present membership, sixty.
First Universalist Society. On the 16th of February, 1821, a subscription
paper was circulated, and signatures procured, for the purpose of
organizing a Universalist society. Their first meetings were held at the
court-house, on the 10th of April, 1821, at which time it was resolved that
the society be known by the name of the First Universalist Society, in the
town of Providence. An act of incorporation was obtained in October
following, on the petition of fifty-three members. Rev. Fayette Mace was
the first regular pastor, and entered upon his duties in April, 1822. The
corner-stone of the first church erected by this society, was laid June 3,
1822, and the house was dedicated on the 20th of November, 1822. This
house was built of stone, and cost upwards of $20,000.
On the evening of the 23d of May, 1825, this beautiful structure was
reduced to ashes, and the society was once more without a temple in which
to conduct its worship. June 4, it was voted to build a new house of
worship, which was completed at an expense of upwards of $24,000, and
dedicated Dec. 29, 1825. This was a handsome Roman Ionic brick building,
with a handsome steeple, furnished with a good bell and clock. It was
located on the site of the former church, on the corner of Westminster and
Union streets. This church was sold in 1871, and the society erected a new
edifice on the corner of Greene and Washington streets, which was dedicated
the 20th of November, 1872. This building, including land, cost
$133,000. H. I. Cushman is the present pastor."
continued in part 134.