Our Westminster Unitarian Church history begins nearly 200 years ago in Providence, Rhode Island when Unitarianism was blossoming in New England. Our church was established on January 5, 1828, at a private home in Providence after separating from First Parish. Over the course of 130 years, our church occupied a few different locations in Providence. Today our sanctuary sits atop beautiful “Sunset Rock” with the Parish House across the courtyard on the corner of Kenyon and First Avenues in East Greenwich.
Scroll down to read more about our church's long history. There is also a more detailed copy in the Church Library.
Twelve gentlemen separated from First Parish in Providence, the Unitarian Church on Benefit Street, on the East side of the river. First Parish pledged these men its support and encouragement in their new venture. Our founders then formed and incorporated the Westminster Congregational Society, our Unitarian forbearer.
The new Westminster Congregational Society had now many new members and our first sanctuary was built on Mathewson Street, between Washington and Westminster Streets. That is where Westminster comes from in our name. At that time the surrounding area comprised a large neighborhood of modest homes, not the commercial area it would later become.
Our new sanctuary was less than a mile from the First Parish Church. Then as now, Rhode Islanders didn't care for traveling “long”distances! Joking aside this was before automobiles and the Sunday travel involved crossing the Weybosset Bridge and then a hike up a steep hill, especially difficult in snowy New England Winters. Also the founding members felt there was significant need to establish a second liberal Christian church.
This beautiful classic Greek revival structure with Corinthian columns was designed by Russell Warren, who also designed the Arcade in Providence. The building, which was known as the Matthewson Church, still exists but is unrecognizable with levels of retail facade built up around it. The triangle roof line is only slightly visible from the rear and makes for a challenging architectural scavenger hunt.
In those days, the expression Congregational Society was meant to reflect the independence of Unitarians from typical religious hierarchies. Westminster was, and is to this day, self-governing, and financially self-supporting. We “call” new Ministers to our pulpit through a denomination-wide process using a Search Committee of our own members and a “unanimous” vote of acceptance by the congregation.
Westminster was active in social justice from the beginning. In 1842, Westminster and the First Parish Unitarian joined together to establish an active Ministry-at-Large to foster ”religious, educational and charitable work among the neglected folk in the community.” Beginning in 1844, anti-slavery meetings were held in the Sanctuary.
The building and decor cost more than the congregation could readily support. Therefore, it took a few difficult years to pay for it. One embarrassing story is told that in pre-dawn hours, new draperies were repossessed – actually cut down from behind the Pulpit by their maker, who relocated to Massachusetts! Nevertheless, repairs were made, and this Sanctuary served the congregation for approximately 75 years.
In the later half of the ninteenth century our Church enjoyed its “Golden Years” as membership flourished and as the minister and other Church members were active in public affairs in Providence.
During these years of our Church’s success, however, Providence itself was changing. The business district was expanding into the streets surrounding our Church and the neighbors were moving away. As the 19th century was drawing to a close, our Church’s membership had rapidly declined. After a members survey it was determined that many lived in Cranston and South Providence. The congregation decided to relocate. Land was purchased in Providence on Adelaide Avenue, not far from the Zoo. Membership began to rise once again.
While less involved in public service, our Adelaide Avenue congregation had a very active church agenda involving all ages. The Woodbury Memorial Club of young women undertook charity work, a Women’s “Day” Alliance assisted in many Church affairs, and many in the Church held leadership positions for 10 or more years. A Young People's Religious and Social Union was established in 1909. Over the next few decades a Boy Scout group was created (1930), as was a Girl Scout group (1938). Also that year a group of older youth settled on its name – “CWN”, the Club Without a Name which provided social and fund-raising activities. A Beefeaters Club and a men’s club were organized in 1945. Over the next 40 or so years, excellent monthly meals and lectures by prominent citizens were enjoyed.
Following World War II and into the Cold War, members of our congregation continued to relocate south into new “suburbs” and our Adelaide Avenue location experienced declining membership, as had our Mathewson Street location 50 years before. In early 1958 the Board of Directors recommended that the church again relocate. This marked the end of the Providence Era.
In May of 1958 the congregation voted to relocate to East Greenwich on 5 acres of property with an existing home and a location for a sanctuary, "Sunset Rock", so named due to the expansive views south and west with magnificent sunsets (until trees grew too tall to see over them). Our church’s name was officially changed from “Westminster Congregational Society” to “Westminster Unitarian Church” the official name of this institution that remains to this day. The church name held three years later in 1961 when the Unitarians and Universalist denominations merged to form the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). So while we only have one “U” in our name we and nonetheless “UUs”.
Our Sanctuary was built near the "Sunset Rock" location of the property. The design was intended to be "meeting house" style and timeless. Many of the unique features of our Sanctuary, agreed upon by the congregation, such as substantial window areas and free-standing seats instead of pews contributed to the award-winning design earned by William Warner. He is well known today as the prominent architect who designed Waterplace Park in Providence. Our sanctuary is indeed timeless and functions as well today as it did when it first opened.
The home located on the property at the time of purchase served as the Parish House to accompany the Sanctuary. In this third location, Westminster thrived. The congregation grew to exceed 200 members, the Sunday School registered upwards of 90 students and the Church House was in constant use. In addition to church activities, Beefeaters was revived and the building was leased by the local theatre group and other town activities. By the end of the 20th century however it was becoming clear that the oringinal home/Parish House was cost prohibitive to maintain.
Our current Parish House and Fellowship Hall Smith Hall is where we gather as a congregation to hold the Church’s annual business meetings and other regular meetings. And to enjoy a Sunday “Coffee Hour” between services where members, friends and folks who are curious about our Church mingle, catch up with each other, and where church business is discussed informally.
Today our Parish House is a space where many of church groups meet, outside organization's meet, and weddings and parites take place throughout the weeks and months of the year.