The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-29
OLNEYvILLE.


The dedication anew of the Dyer Opera
House TO the service of God, VIII ch is to
take place the coming year, will be an
act TO restore to religious uses an ediflce
originally erected for such use. For the
Dyer Opera House is standing memorial
OF the early Christian effort TO preach
the Gospel to all nations"
IL was in 1927 that the Olueyville Free
Baptist Church erected on Olneyville
Square this edifice, where Elder Martin
Cheney, the first pastor, OBLIGATED. The
church here worshipped for many years
and the parish extended from beyond
| Spraeueville TO Smiths Hill, and en-
braced territory having its eastern limit
as far as Attleboro. its western and upper
Simmonsville, and its northern beyond
Allendale. 80 wide was the dispersion, so
wide the influence OF the church.
During these years the humble edifice
was sufficient for the congregation, but
In 1856 because Of greater attendance due
and enlarged.
The building continued to be the
church home until Sunday. April s. 1888,
when the vestry of the new building on
Plainield street was occupied, and the
old church abandoned.
The building was subsequently sold to
Rodney L. Dyer, who caused the steeple
to be removed, and the front remodeled
for offices and stores. The interior was
fitted for amusement places. and the
whole was known rs Dyer's Opera house.
For short time u theatre company held
forth there. but as u temple Of Thespis it
proved failure. The productions did
not appeal TO the literary spirit, and
theatrlcals were soon abandoned. Since
then the place has been the scene OF gath
erlpg of private and semi-public parties
in their entertainment enterprises.
The building will eventually be re-
stored TO the semblance of its former
self by the Methodists who are To pur-
chase 1t for their church home.
Town Council, Regular Session.
The monthly meeting of the Johnston
Town Council was held yesterday.
The matter Of the widening of Rocky
Hill avenue came up by continuance, and
as the abutters VINO will be damaged
agreed to waive claim for payment and
interest until after tue annual financial
town meeting, the work was ordered To
be done.
Highway Commissioner Harris was au-
thorlzed to place signs Not Public
Highway" on all unaccepted streets and
10 order the signs necessary.
The disputed bill OF G.. Il. "A. Beane for
S74 81 anu another for 50. l0 contracted by
ex-Commissioner Walch were ordered
/
missioner Harris.
The highway department pay roll of
Sl03. 80 was ordered paid. Tue police pay
roll and Other bills were allowed.
General Notes.
Highway Commissioner Harris yester-
day completed the work of covering the
water mains in Rocky Hill avenue and
the Old Killingly road, when were buried
at an insufficient depth when la d.
The Focasset Ice Company began to
cut ice on Pocasset pond to-day The
water is frozen a depth Of III incnes.
The registration Is fast increasing
Red Cross Chapter OF the Messiah
Guild have dramatic and musical en-
tertainment in Irons hall tonight.
DIR. Burt, acc mpanied by Que other
member Of the State Board of AgricuI-
ture, visited the farm of w. b. Colwell
and killed two tuberculosis cows this
morning.
The town sergeant has been ordered by
the Town Council 10 look the Plain
Tavern over to see If any liquor has been
sold upon the premises. Tne proprietor,
however, made his appearance at the
town clerks Office and applied for a
transfer OF his license.
Town Sergeant Holbrook captured three
young men this morning who since Dec
L. have raided the hen roosts )f the resi-
dents or Plaiufield street. They gave
their names as James Mullen, John
Burke and Fred Leanery. They have
confessed their guilS They will b. ar
raigned this afternoon,
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas w. Penney will
leave for Florida next Thursday. They
will remaiL there for a month.
The strong men OF this place gave an
exhibition of their powers In front OF the
Dyer Opera house by undertaking to lift
the heavy weights that are used by Cyr
the Sampson" who has an exhibition
in the opera house this evening.