Middletown
Rhode Island
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St. Columba's, The Berkeley Memorial Chapel
History:
St. Columba's is lucky to have both a rich history, in its beautiful 19th-century stone chapel, and the modern convenience of a spacious new parish hall, which was completed in 2001 and dedicated by Bishop Geralyn Wolf. The elegant and light-filled hall is available for receptions, meetings, etc. For details please contact the parish administrator, Kathryn Warren ([email protected]). A Parish Hall Brochure is available for viewing and printing in PDF format.
As for the church itself, in 1872, Eugene Sturtevant dreamed of developing the land on which Saint Columba's now stands. With many neighbors meeting for prayer in their homes, Mary Clark Sturtevant, his wife, saw the need for a chapel. (Mrs. Sturtevant, whose silhouette is behind the organ bench, was the daughter of Thomas March Clark, Bishop of Rhode Island and later presiding Episcopal Bishop of the U.S.) In 1882, Mr. Sturtevant donated an acre for this purpose. A Philadelphia architect, Wilson Eyre, staked out the land.
The church was originally known as The Berkeley Memorial Chapel (in honor of Bishop Berkeley of Derry, who stayed in nearby Whitehall). The story goes that its first treasurer felt the chapel should be dedicated to a saint; the Irish-born missionary Columba, renowned for his teaching, healing, and miracles in sixth-century Scotland, was chosen.
The cornerstone of the chapel was laid on October 11, 1884. The first service was held on June 23, 1885, even though the chapel was not complete. The land, plans, furnishings and windows were all donated, and cost $9,096.15. The chapel was consecrated on August 31, 1886, as a mission of the Diocese of Rhode Island by Bishop Clark (his silhouette is behind the pulpit). The small stone building contains a most precious and astounding collection of stained-glass windows, whether by Tiffany or Maitland Armstrong.
In its early history, the chapel had a close association with Saint George's School in Middletown. Many of the ordained teachers officiated at services, and before the school's own chapel was built, boys walked to St. Columba's for Sunday worship!
St. Columba's is lucky to have both a rich history, in its beautiful 19th-century stone chapel, and the modern convenience of a spacious new parish hall, which was completed in 2001 and dedicated by Bishop Geralyn Wolf. The elegant and light-filled hall is available for receptions, meetings, etc. For details please contact the parish administrator, Kathryn Warren ([email protected]). A Parish Hall Brochure is available for viewing and printing in PDF format.
As for the church itself, in 1872, Eugene Sturtevant dreamed of developing the land on which Saint Columba's now stands. With many neighbors meeting for prayer in their homes, Mary Clark Sturtevant, his wife, saw the need for a chapel. (Mrs. Sturtevant, whose silhouette is behind the organ bench, was the daughter of Thomas March Clark, Bishop of Rhode Island and later presiding Episcopal Bishop of the U.S.) In 1882, Mr. Sturtevant donated an acre for this purpose. A Philadelphia architect, Wilson Eyre, staked out the land.
The church was originally known as The Berkeley Memorial Chapel (in honor of Bishop Berkeley of Derry, who stayed in nearby Whitehall). The story goes that its first treasurer felt the chapel should be dedicated to a saint; the Irish-born missionary Columba, renowned for his teaching, healing, and miracles in sixth-century Scotland, was chosen.
The cornerstone of the chapel was laid on October 11, 1884. The first service was held on June 23, 1885, even though the chapel was not complete. The land, plans, furnishings and windows were all donated, and cost $9,096.15. The chapel was consecrated on August 31, 1886, as a mission of the Diocese of Rhode Island by Bishop Clark (his silhouette is behind the pulpit). The small stone building contains a most precious and astounding collection of stained-glass windows, whether by Tiffany or Maitland Armstrong.
In its early history, the chapel had a close association with Saint George's School in Middletown. Many of the ordained teachers officiated at services, and before the school's own chapel was built, boys walked to St. Columba's for Sunday worship!