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 | USA |
| 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]
Theology
Although founded as a congregationalist church, under the leadership of Rev. Henry Edes, (1803-1832), the church became explicitly Unitarian in theology.[1] Edes affiliated it with the Unitarian movement in America.[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]