HISTORY OF
THE PORTSMOUTH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
ON THE OCCASION OF OUR 200^th ANNIVERSARY
MARCH 6, 1994
- - - - - 1793 to 1993 - - - - -

The following record was composed by Pam Shakarian and the History and Memorials Committee of the Portsmouth United Methodist Church. The occasion was the celebration of our bicentennial service marking the founding of our congregation. The service was held on March 6^th, 1994. On that occasion this material was printed and published for the congregation and is attached here unabridged for your pleasure. This material is substantial in length and you may wish to print it out for off-line reading.

In the year of 1790, the Reverend Jesse Lee, an Apostle of Methodism in New England, was engaging in the formation of societies and circuits in Connecticut. Not being limited by boundaries, he entered the southwestern corner of Rhode Island, in June 1790, and crossed the Narragansett Bay Landing in Newport. He preached in Newport at this time, but probably obtained nothing more than a candid and respectful hearing from the inhabitants. He makes no mention of anything happening there outside the fact that he had visited the town. The consideration of Rhode Island at this time was anything but favorable to the planting and growth of a new church.

The State was loaded with an enormous debt. It was torn and distracted with the fearful dissensions of the so-called "Paper Money Party" who had just been in power. This party was immediately followed by an equally fierce controversy respecting the adoption of the Federal Constitution. The state not entering the union till May 29, 1790, the last of the old thirteen. These were among the reasons why Methodism did so little in Rhode Island for many years. However, a brighter day was yet to come.

Leaving Newport, Jesse Lee came up Aquidneck Island and crossed the bay from Portsmouth to Bristol on the ferry which left from Bristol Ferry. After preaching in Bristol, Lee passed on to Warren where he was cordially received. From Warren, he proceeded to Providence where he preached in private homes and also in the Little State House. Lee having thus explored the area, reported at a conference held at Lynn, MA the following month. Bishop Asbury sent the Reverend Lemuel Smith to form a preaching station in Rhode Island called the "Providence Circuit".

The Reverend Mr. Smith visited the state very extensively and formed societies at Bristol, East Greenwich, Cranston, and probably at some other places. Portsmouth was visited during these days as a preaching place on the Greenwich and Warren circuit. However, it is possible that the Methodist Society in Portsmouth was not formed until the year of 1793. Portsmouth was, without a doubt, in that year connected with the Providence circuit as the name of Lemuel Smith is recorded in the church records as the first preacher.

Among the first members of the Society formed in 1793, in Portsmouth were: Matthew Cooke and his wife Mary (Earle), John Earle and his wife Deborah, Peter Barker and his wife Ruth (Cooke), John Anthony (Exhorter and Leader of the Society), Nathan Brownell and Violet, a colored woman belonging to the Matthew Cooke family. The Society met at the home of Matthew Cooke, who lived in the old ferry house at Bristol Ferry, which at that time stood a little east of the present house, nearer the orchard. It was a small, one story, gable-roofed house built in the style of the Revolutionary period. In 1793, the house was dedicated as the first preaching place in Portsmouth by the prayers and labors of such men as Bishop Francis Asbury, Jesse Lee, George Rich (a layman), John Chalmers, and Zadoc Priest. (Chalmers and Priest both would serve as pastors for the Portsmouth church.). In 1862, the house was moved to the road leading to the Old Stone Bridge and was occupied by Byron D. Boyd. Though this house was not particularly distinguished by its architecture, it was a house rich in historical associations and honored as the cradle of Methodism in Portsmouth.

Methodism was not popular in New England at this time. The democratic theology of "free grace for all" preached by Methodists, which while it greatly appealed to the frontier areas, was a definite hindrance in New England. Methodist preachers were often stoned or booed by mobs. Although this did not occur in Portsmouth, probably because Rhode Island was founded as a haven of religious tolerance, many people still looked askance at the Methodists.

In the early years, Portsmouth was simply a stop on a circuit rider’s route with no established minister. From 1792 to 1827, it belonged to either the Providence or Warren Circuit and a minister would visit Portsmouth along with other towns such as Warren, Bristol, East Greenwich, Little Compton, and Somerset, MA. The Society in Portsmouth grew fast, and the group came in need of a place to hold its religious Meetings. In 1794, enough names were obtained by subscription to purchase an unfinished dwelling house from Preserved Fish, a church member, for sixty-five silver dollars. They then moved the house to a lot on Turnpike Road nearly opposite the present site of the Portsmouth Cemetery (this cemetery was once owned by the Methodists). The house was fitted as a place of worship with pulpit, seats and galleries on three sides. Six men were chosen Trustees of the Methodist Meeting House Church: Henry Lawton, John Anthony, Peter Barker, John Earle, Joseph Brownell, Jr., and Thomas Shaw. This humble temple served the purposes of the Society for the next forty-two years being enlarged and improved in 1806, at which time the Society numbered seventy-seven members, under the Reverend Levi Walker.

In 1825, Little Compton was united with Portsmouth into one circuit. During these years, some interesting and profitable work took place here on the island as Methodism grew. In 1827, Portsmouth became a station and had its first minister stationed here, Reverend Reuben Ransom. Although a minister might be stationed here, at times he would serve Portsmouth along with the churches of Little Compton, Middletown, and Newport. This practice of serving multiple area churches continued here until 1962, when Reverend Frederick L. Yarger was assigned the Portsmouth Church solely. A flourishing class existed during this time on Prudence Island (part of Portsmouth), but, by 1860, it was extinct. A class also once existed at the Stone Bridge sustained by a weekly lecture, but it too died out by 1860. In 1838, the Reverend Jonathan Cady was appointed to this circuit as preacher-in-charge. Under his leadership, the membership of the Portsmouth Meeting House increased rapidly and it was thought a new house of worship was needed. It was decided a new chapel would be constructed. A new board of Trustees was elected to carry out the task of purchasing new land, and a building committee appointed. The board of Trustees consisted of Oliver Brownell, Jonathan Tallman, William Earle Cooke, John Tallman, Joseph B. Cory, Benjamin Tallman, John S. Brownell, and Barzillia Fish. The building committee consisted of only three men, Jonathan Cady, John Tallman, and William Earle Cooke.

It was accordingly suggested that it would be best to prepare a subscription paper for the above objective to ascertain whether there could be a sufficient amount raised to warrant the undertaking of a new building. The subscription was taken and it was found that sufficient funds were pledged to cover the down payment on the new building. A Society meeting was called and approved the plans and committees, and work began. The lot on which the present Portsmouth United Methodist Church stands, was purchased from Hawkins and Sally Green for the sum of $120.50 on September 13, 1838. The ground was broken in August, and the frame was raised on October 9, during a service conducted by the presiding elder, Dr. Frederick Upham. Then, on December 25, 1838, the house, which still serves the Portsmouth community, was finished and dedicated to the service of Almighty God by the Reverend Phineas Crandall who was stationed at Fall River, MA. It was written by John Tallman in the records of the church, "the house is very conveniently situated facing the east, is furnished with a tower and bell, and cost $2,020." This original church building consisted of the sanctuary, which ended about where the present communion rail is in the front, and at the rear doors in the back along with the Sunday School rooms directly below, whereby parishioners purchased pews for their families to sit in the Sanctuary. (In 1839, the pews of the church were sold at an auction.) For the next fifty-nine years, this house served as a place of worship with only few improvements.

During the next twenty-four years (1838-1862), little is known about the life of the Society in Portsmouth. From all indications, these were years of some depression in the growth of the Society. It is not until the Reverend Dr. Samuel Coggeshall, in 1862, and the Reverend Paul Townsend, in 1870, that we know much about the Society again. These two men undertook to write out the history of our church to this point on the basis of the information they could gather.

In 1841, Rhode Island was torn by the Dorr War and the Portsmouth church had forty-one members. In 1840, the whole country and the New England Conference Sessions were being torn by dissension over slavery. Time after time, the power of the South, aided by those who wanted to avoid schism at all cost, to impose its will on the church was demonstrated. Daniel Dorchester, (who was pastor at the Portsmouth Methodist Church in 1820), as presiding elder, obstructed an anti-slavery resolution in a quarterly conference. He was convicted by the New England Conference of exceeding his powers. This decision was reversed by the General Conference which went on record as defending the right of all ministers to hold slaves in states where manumission was not possible. It looked at this point as if the church might avoid schism, but during the Civil War, the Methodist Church split into the Methodist South and Methodist North churches.

The preacher at this time, Reverend Chester W. Turner, gave an unfavorable report on the church saying that the classes were not regularly attended although the Sabbath School was more interesting than before due to an increase in the library and effort made by the Church and congregation, but the increase in scholars and Sunday School teachers had been defeated by sickness among the children. An effort was being made to encourage parents to visit the Sunday School with exercises being planned by the school to interest them. In 1842, under Reverend Turner, there was a revival among the adults of the congregation.

In 1844, under Reverend George Carpenter, another revival resulted in an increase of spirituality and love in the church and about thirty or forty converts, and at this time there were regular monthly Missionary Prayer meetings.

In 1867, the church was raised up and the vestry entirely rebuilt by carpenter William H. Arnold, for a cost of $500. That same year a pastor or local preacher supplying Portsmouth, Reverend John E. Gifford, was dismissed for immoral conduct. (It has yet to be uncovered exactly what the "immoral conduct" was!)

By 1870, the church was not doing well. The Reverend Townsend wrote in the historical records of the church, "the present membership is 48, a less number than 1800, and 13 Probationers." The pastor’s salary was $700. But at this time an important event occurred which seemed to have given the Portsmouth Methodist Church a strong spark of life once more. In this year Ladies’ Benevolent Society was organized and the Church’s financial prospects began to improve even though its membership did not. The Reverend Oliver H. Fernald writes on May 20, 1871, "The Church has never been free of debt since its erection thirty-two years ago until the present time. Over $500 has been expended in presently liquidating the debt and in painting, carpeting, and procuring blinds for the church windows to replace the white curtains. Our success was largely due to the ladies who organized a Ladies Benevolent Society early in the year." In this particular year, with the aid of this new organization, the Church raised $1,248 by holding a Strawberry Festival ($321.83 of which was raised by the Ladies’ Benevolent Society), a Clambake and a Turkey Dinner. Church membership increased five percent this year.

The reverend Elijah T. Smith, was appointed to this charge in 1873, and was met very warmly. He was a young man who was very popular with the younger members of the Church and seemingly of much ability. It was expected that he would be returned to Portsmouth the next year and it was a great disappointment to him and many of the congregation when he was not. Further, his departure had the sad misfortune of nearly dividing the Society. Under this difficulty and embarrassment, Reverend Daniel M. Rogers, who fortunately followed Smith in 1874, was able to do much to restore the church and its people.

It was in February of 1876, that the Ladies’ Benevolent Society purchased for the church, the cottage of Abner Tallman, for the price of $1,400 to be used as a parsonage. This newly acquired house still exists on the East Main Road nearly opposite William Borden’s. Against the cost of $1400, the Ladies’ Benevolent Society paid $700 down and Joseph Cory furnished the other $700 taking a mortgage for three years on the sum.

For the next several years, the majority of church records track activities of the Ladies’ Benevolent Society with bits of other church activities included. During Reverend Hefflin Smith’s time (1883) the parsonage mortgage was paid off, which resulted in the church being free of debt. A second hand organ was purchased for the parsonage. Reverend William Allen served Portsmouth from 1884-1885, when the church janitor was paid twenty cents a week. The Ladies’ Benevolent Society paid John L. Tallman twenty cents a week to make a fire for Sunday services. An "Old Folks Concert" was given by the young people which presented a concert of Civil War songs. In 1885, the Ladies’ Benevolent Society spent $28.18 on parsonage supplies; cleaned, painted, papered and varnished the woodwork and chairs; and made a carpet for the parsonage out of the church carpet.

In 1886, under Reverend Charles T. Hatch, the Ladies’ reported a complete listing of all items contained in the parsonage, from two chamber sets, furniture pieces and dishes, to a match box. It is not until 1887, that anything of significance is written about the life of the church. In this year, the Reverend Tregaskis wrote: "The finance and membership of the church picked up and the Sabbath School was made to follow the morning preaching service, doubling in size. During the year, the Epworth Hymnal was introduced, and the parsonage was insured, painted, and improved. The church had a new furnace placed in the vestry and new pulpit and alter chairs provided. Some $1,100 was raised to meet all the bills." Also the pastor’s salary was increased from $600 to $900 a year.

The following year, 1888, the exterior of the church was painted white and the Sunday evening prayer meetings were reestablished. In 1888 and 1890, a revival occurred under Reverend Benjamin F. Simon, and the church was renovated. Beginning with the purpose of rebuilding the rear wall of the church vestry, the Trustees, in 1889, finally ended up with making an entire new room with larger windows, new floor, new joists, and new plaster. The entire cost of this remodeling was $800. That winter of 1890, the sanctuary was remodeled. The staircases were enclosed, the floor of the aisles raised to the level of the floor of the pews (prior to this time, you had to step up into the pews), the pulpit platform was changed and a new altar rail installed. The fronts of the head pews were removed to give greater room around the curved communion rail. The entire floor was carpeted and the whole interior painted - - the walls and ceiling frescoed in oil and over the chancel area "Enter Into His Gates With Thanksgiving" was written. The total cost of this major remodeling of the interior of the church was $825. In addition, the exterior of the church was painted white and lamps placed outside the church.

In 1891, the Providence District Association met at Portsmouth Church.

In "Souvenir of the New England Conference", a book written in 1897, it was said about the Portsmouth church, "The prospects for the church in the future are bright. She may prove worthy of her illustrious heritage. The electric car will shortly connect this place with Newport and Fall River. The line will pass directly by the church door, making it easy of access." In 1898, the Newport to Fall River car track was laid along side the old Boston Post Road (East Main Road). Until the 1920’s, electric cars regularly ran past the church making it easy to have church trips to Island Park or Providence.

The Reverend John Nicholas Geisler, pastor of the Portsmouth Church from 1895 to 1897, said of the church in his Pastor’s Report of 1897, "The tendency to be ‘carried about by every wind of doctrine’ has been partially overcome. The Church is generally more ‘rooted and grounded’ in word and works."

In 1898, an iron railing was put on the steeple.

Spiritually and numerically over the past years, the Society has been, and continues to be in its recent history, subjected to the great fluctuations here in Portsmouth. Great revivals and great depressions have followed in regular order.

The next years seem to have been years of continual touch and go relative to the size and spiritual depth of the congregation. In several of the pastors’ reports during this time, comments were made on the need of a deepening of the members’ spirituality, and a further enlargement of the outreach of the church. However, along with the growth of the community, the church continued to grow, slowly at times, and rapidly at others.

A new Epworth organ was purchased for $235 in 1910, and replaced the old one which was worn out after years of use. Consent was gotten from the owners of the three pews on the North side of the church to move them to make room for a platform for the organ and the choir. This new organ was short lived, and in 1913, the Epworth organ gave way to a new pipe organ which was given to the Portsmouth Methodist Episcopal Church by the Official Board of the Middletown Methodist Episcopal Church. The cost to move and to install this pipe organ was forth dollars. In addition, a child was paid five dollars a month to pump the bellows of the organ.

A mortgage burning social was held in 1910 to commemorate the end of thirteen years of payment. In 1913 the church and parsonage were equipped with electric lights by the Epworth League for a cost of $200.

In August of 1916, under the direction of the Reverend John Lowden, the metal walls and ceiling were installed in the sanctuary over the frescoed walls and remained there until 1969. (The hurricane of 1954 damaged the roof causing some of the sheets of metal to be replaced. It was impossible to find any that matched the older design, thus the northeast side of the sanctuary did not match the rest.)

Out of the long list of preachers that have served Portsmouth, one is surprised to learn that in 1918, Portsmouth has a woman preacher. Reverend Katherine M. Cooper came to this church as a Deaconess of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and served here as preacher-in-charge until 1920. There is a whimsical story about Reverend Cooper and two parishioners. It seems that Reverend Cooper would wear earrings to Sunday services (apparently not often heard of in the days of strict Methodist discipline). Martha Hall told her sister, Lois Hedly, that she felt if the minister could wear earrings, then it was all right for them to wear earrings. However, Lois replied that her husband Sidney would not approve and thus did not wear them!

By 1921, it was realized that there was a need for further facilities for the use of the Sunday School, and for social functions. The present Parish House was designed and built as it now stands with the exception of some minor remodeling, and it was later dedicated by the Reverend J. B. Ackley in January 1922. This present Parish House was designed and built with the help of parishioners. Plans were drawn by Mr. Charles B. Ashley, construction foreman and carpenter.

In the 1920’s the old car tracks of the Newport to Fall River electric car were pulled up and the road in front of the church was widened. Before this time, the lawn of the church sloped down to the road. With the widening of the road, the lawn was cut off with its row of elm trees, and the high retaining wall was built in front of the church by the State.

In 1928, the Church was renamed St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church, which remained its name until 1960. The lawn was leveled off, a permanent drive and parking area created, some shrubbery planted, and a lighted electric sign put on the lawn in full view of the public. At this time the Church had some problems, according to its pastor, Reverend Alva B. Miller. In his 1928 Pastor’s Report, he said, "Certain members have not shown a willingness to work with other members and as a result, the Pastor had not accomplished what he hoped for, nor has the outcome been satisfactory to those who have been observing. As I see it, this Church will never go forward until there is cooperation, both in the Church and in it’s different organizations. I pray that another year may bring a lessening of opposition and a deepening of the spiritual forces. The first thing needed is a better spirit among the Church people themselves. The "Outsiders" are saying ‘We don’t like the spirit in your church.’ And the fact is that they are about right. I am aware that some people enjoy telling what the other person should do, but aren’t willing to take their own prescription seriously when applied to their own lives."

In 1930, Reverend Leowrey P. MacLennan, in his Pastor’s Report, felt that the Church’s financial condition was not satisfactory as there was too much dependence placed on earning the money to carry on the Church’s work and not enough people to support the Church by weekly free-will offerings. By 1933, this financial problem has gotten much worse. The Church was receiving about 20 a month less than the year before due to the unemployment of its members, a result of the Depression. Reverend George Davies, in his 1933 Pastor’s Report, said that the "congregations have been small, with hardly any young people staying for the Sunday morning preaching service".

In 1934, Reverend Davies reported that the Church needed about $1500 a year to maintain janitorial service, heat and light. "At the present time there are only about twelve members willing to make a weekly pledge and if they paid their pledge, it would only amount to $7. The Church’s income this year will be about $600 which is not enough to meet current expenses. The balance in the church treasury in December was .52 with $68.27 worth of bills due." At this point, the Portsmouth Church was once again placed on a split charge and the old parsonage was sold for $2,000, its appraised value. Reverend James Greer was appointed to Portsmouth in 1934, and served two churches, Bristol and Portsmouth, during his five years here. He resided in Bristol. Later Portsmouth went on the circuit charge with the Methodist Church in Little Compton.

Pam Shakarian
History and Memorials Committee
Of the Portsmouth United Methodist Church (1993)