The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-29
PheniX N. E. Church OBJ
serves It's Anniversary.
Mr.. SlOcum Related interest
ing "reminiscences.
Timely Address by John M Nye, on
MethOtism in Kent County.

/. The Phenix M. f. church was the scene
of a delightful affair last evening, the
occasion being in observance of the 10th
anniversary OF the adoption Of the plans
of the present handsome edifice. The ex-
ercises were held under the. auspices of the
Benevolent society and TO the ladies of
this society belongs the credit OF furnish
ing the thoroughly interesting and enjoy
able program
The exercises were not Of an elaborate
nature by any means and not much time
was spent In preparing for tho event
some one remembered that on April 18th,
1857, the plans for the erection of the
present church edifice were adopted and 10
was proposed 10 celebrate the 10th ami
yersary of this event by exercises appro-
pirate To the occasion. IL was COM
plete success, not 40 much for the
excellent manner in which the program
was carried out as for the linking OF the
past history of the church with the pres
ent. There were those present last even
ing who had connected themselves with
the church even before the plans for the
new church were adoptod.a .and To them the
"reminiscences OF one of the speakers
brought up very pleasant memories To
others not so long connected with the
church, the brief history of Methodism up
To the time when the Phenix M. IL. churcn
became a regularly established station was
very interesting.
The exercises proper began shortly after
o'clock but previous To this time
supper was served In the small vestry of
the church and many partook of an excel
lent clam ohowder, cake, coffee, ETC.
After supper all adjourned Co the large
vestry and the exercises were commenced.
There were piano solos by Silas Nye,
vocal solos by John nj. Nye and j. Ellery
Hudson, IA readin 4 by Mrs. Walter A.Hill
and songs such as were sung by the old
church choir over 40 years ago, all
of which were we'll rendered William
V. Slocum then gave "A few "reminiscences
of the past 40 years which We're listened
To with the closest attention by the audi
ence A few were present who were con-
nected with the church during the period
referred To by Mr.. Slocum and were init
mately connected with the persons to
whorn the speaker paid tribute as being
pillars of the church, even before the war.
JolAl M. Nye's address was more in
the nature of ahistoryi a OF Methodism in
Kent county from the time when the
first class meeting was held up TO the ac-
ceptance of the Phenix NJ. j.. church as
regular station Of the conference The
speaker had for some time past been in
terested In looking up facts connected with
the early history of Methodism in Kent
county and his remarks greatly Interested
the audience. The first Methodist min
lister to preach the Gospel in this vicinity
was Jesse Lee, in l792, and the place was
the residence of General christopher
Lippitt in the town of Cranston. In
1874 the first class was formed at the
same place under the direction of Bishop p
Asbury. These meetings were held for
some time i'm one of the rooms at the
Lippitt mansion, occasionally varied by
preaching services. For pulpit a small
stand was used and the identical piece of
furniture was on exhibition last evening.
having been presented To the society by
Miss Congdon. In lS0S the first society
was established at East Greenwich and
in 1912 another was formed at Centerville.
The first class in the immediate neigh
borhood of Phenix was formed in 1924 at
the home of Daniel Wheelock at Lippitr.
Six years later the first Sunday scnool
was established. In 1885 the quarterly con-
terence decided To hold their meetings
hereafter at Phenix and in 1888 that place
was made station with Rev. Mr.. Hay
ward as pastor. In 1912 the old "Latem
meeting house" was purchased by the
society and used as "A place of worship
until the new church wos,ready for use.
The old meeting house still stands and is
used rs "a tenement house.