St. Mary's Church (Newport, Rhode Island)

Coordinates: 41°29′2″N 71°18′45″W / 41.48389°N 71.31250°W / 41.48389; -71.31250
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St. Mary's Church Complex
St. Mary's Church (Newport, Rhode Island) is located in Rhode Island
St. Mary's Church (Newport, Rhode Island)
St. Mary's Church (Newport, Rhode Island) is located in the United States
St. Mary's Church (Newport, Rhode Island)
Location14 William Street, Newport, Rhode Island
Coordinates41°29′2″N 71°18′45″W / 41.48389°N 71.31250°W / 41.48389; -71.31250
Area0.8 acres (0.32 ha)
Built1848
ArchitectPatrick C. Keely; Dudley Newton; Ambrose J. Murphy; John F. Hogan; Milton R. Kenyon
Architectural styleGothic Revival
Part ofSouthern Thames Historic District (ID08000314)
NRHP reference No.08000153[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMarch 06, 2008
Designated CPJune 26, 2008

St. Mary's Church, officially the Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle,[2] is a historic Catholic parish church complex at 14 William Street, the corner of Spring Street and Memorial Boulevard, in Newport, Rhode Island within the Diocese of Providence. It is the church of the oldest Catholic parish in the state.[3] The church is also notable for hosting the wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier and Senator, later President, John F. Kennedy in 1953.

Buildings[edit]

Three buildings comprise the complex: the brownstone Gothic Revival parish church; the parish house, formerly a school; and a convent. The church was built in 1848–52 to the design of renowned Brooklyn architect Patrick C. Keely. The engineer for its construction was US Army Lieutenant William S. Rosecrans, who would rise to the rank of Major General in the American Civil War. "On June 14, 1849, Bishop Bernard O'Reilly consecrated the building, committing it to the patronage of the Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle."[4]

In 1865 the school was built directly east of the church, and also was designed by Keely.[3] During the 1880s, the church erected two more buildings, neither of which were included in the nomination for the National Register of Historic Places. A convent was built in 1880–81, designed by local architect Dudley Newton. In 1991 that building was moved from its site at Spring and Gidley Streets to its current location at 398 Thames Street, where it serves as the Admiral Fitzroy Inn.[5] In 1886 Dudley also designed the rectory that burned in 1921. A new rectory, designed by Ambrose J. Murphy, was erected on the same site in 1924–5. In 1937 architect John F. Hogan altered both the church and school. In 1967, after the Second Vatican Council, East Providence architect Milton R. Kenyon further altered the church.[3]

History[edit]

The Kennedys married in St. Mary's Church on September 12, 1953

The Catholic parish congregation was founded in 1828, and was the first established in the state.[3]

Jacqueline Bouvier and Senator John F. Kennedy worshiped at pew number ten of the present church during their visits in Newport.[6] The two married at St. Mary's on September 12, 1953, presided by Archbishop Richard Cushing and attended by more than 800 invited guests.[7] A massive crowd of well-wishers filled the streets surrounding the church.[6] In 2017 the church held a special series of tours and programs to commemorate the wedding and to raise funds to restore the choir gallery and its historic organ.[6]

The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.[1]

Cranston Mayor Allan Fung married Barbara Ann Fenton, a native of Newport, on June 18, 2016, with about 200 guests in attendance, in the church.[8] The ceremony incorporated elements honoring both the bride's Irish heritage and the groom's Chinese heritage.[8] Fenton was a parishioner of the church, and Fung converted to Catholicism before their wedding.[8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ Meenan, William B. Golden Jubilee Publication of the Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle. 1902. One Hundred Years. The Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle: 1852-2002. Unknown author. (Commemorative centenary pamphlet.) Archives of St. Mary's Parish, Newport, Rhode Island, US.
  3. ^ a b c d "NRHP nomination for St. Mary's Church Complex" (PDF). Rhode Island Preservation. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  4. ^ "History". www.stmarynewport.org. St. Mary's Church. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Statewide Historic Preservation Report N-N-3: The Southern Thames Street Neighborhood in Newport. 1980.
  6. ^ a b c Halleman, Caroline (July 10, 2017). "The Church where Jackie Married JFK Opens to Tourists". Town & Country magazine. Town & Country magazine. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021. St Mary's Church in Newport, Rhode Island is inviting visitors to "relive that special day."
  7. ^ "Wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier and John F. Kennedy, Newport, Rhode Island, September 12, 1953". John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021. Jacqueline Lee Bouvier and John F. Kennedy were married on the morning of September 12, 1953, in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Newport[;] ... more than eight hundred guests (attended)
  8. ^ a b c Kennedy, Meri R. (June 8, 2016). "Wedding day nears for Fenton, Fung". Warwick, Rhode Island: The Warwick Beacon. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
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External links[edit]

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