US-RUn-msg144 Guide to the Records of Grace Episcopal Church Finding aid prepared by Kevin J. Logan. University of Rhode Island Library, Special Collections and Archives Unit 1999
University Library, Special Collections and Archives 15 Lippitt Road Kingston, RI 02881-2011Tel: 401-874-4632E-mail: archives@etal.uri.eduWebsite: http://www.uri.edu/library/special_collections/
 Finding aid encoded by Sarina R. Wyant on 2007 July 30, updated by Hailie D. Posey on 2009 August 31 English Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) Overview of the Collection Grace Church (Providence, R. I.) Records of Grace Episcopal Church 1829-2000 96 box(es) (72 linear feet) Grace Church was founded in Providence, Rhode Island in 1829. The records document the administrative, financial, religious, social, and cultural activities of Grace Episcopal Church. The records are comprehensive but there are gaps particularly in the early years. Special Collections and University Archives
15 Lippitt Road Kingston, RI 02881-2011 Tel: 401-874-4632 email: archives@etal.uri.edu
 Mss. Gr. 144 The records are in English. Historical Information

Grace Church was founded in Providence in 1829 by parishioners of St. John's Church who wished to have a house of worship closer to their homes on the city's west side. This group of "gentlemen friendly to the organization of a Protestant Episcopal Church. . .on the West Side of Providence," as they described themselves in the minutes of their first meeting, accomplished their goals in short order.

Within two weeks of that first meeting, the group rented a building on the corner of Pine and Richmond streets in Providence and held its first service on May 17, 1829. A vestry was elected on June 2nd and a charter granted by the Rhode Island State Legislature on June 29th. It was not until a year later that the first rector, Samuel Fuller, Jr., was appointed. In the interim, twenty-seven different visiting clergy served the new parish.

The small structure on the corner of Pine and Richmond Streets was inadequate for the needs of the parish and almost from its inception the parish leadership had been seeking a more suitable home. In 1832 that search ended when the parish purchased the Providence Theater building on Westminster St. (the site of the present Grace Church). The converted theater remained the parish's house of worship until it was declared unsafe in late 1844. The parish immediately undertook a subscription drive and in a short time raised $20,000 toward the construction of a new church. Lots were purchased adjacent to the existing structure to provide sufficient space for the new structure. Noted church architect Richard Upjohn of New York was commissioned to design a new Grace Church. The cornerstone was laid on April 8, 1845 and service of consecration held on June 2, 1846. The structure remains largely unchanged today.

Because of the small size and limited financial resources of the Diocese of Rhode Island, its bishop initially also served as a parish rector in order to lessen the burden on diocesan coffers and, at the same time, receive a sufficient salary to sustain him. Grace Church, as the largest and most centrally located parish in the diocese, hosted Bishops John P. K. Henshaw (1843-52) and Thomas March Clark (1854-66) as rectors of the parish. This practice ended in 1866 when Bishop Clark resigned as rector to devote his energies to the diocese as a whole.

The parish continued to grow throughout the remainder of the nineteenth century under the leadership of a series of rectors, the most notable of which was David Greer who served as rector from 1872 to 1888 before moving on to become Bishop of New York. The number of communicants had increased to nearly 1000 by the turn of the century. As its membership of Grace Church increased, so too did the size of its physical plant. A new parish house and chancel were completed in 1912 and the parish house was renovated and enlarged in 1952. The parish also amended its charter in 1920 to eliminate the long-time practice of privately owned and/or rented pews.

Dr. Clarence Horner was appointed rector in 1937 and it was during his twenty-four year tenure that the parish enjoyed its most sustained period of growth. The number of communicants continued to increase and the physical plant continued to expand. The parish also begin to reach out to the broader community through a number of cultural and social programs such as the Service Men's Club in World War II.

Horner died in 1961, but his successors continued and expanded the community outreach programs begun during his tenure. Though in a sense Grace Church's neighborhood could be said to have moved out on it, the parish compensated by expanding its "neighborhood" to all of Providence and the wider community of Rhode Island. Among its many programs are " One-on-One," a program in which church volunteers visit shut-ins throughout the city; " Meals on Wheels," which provides meals to shut-ins, the elderly, and convalescents, as well as a food bank, a thrift center, and a variety of arts and cultural programs. 

Open for research.

Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Archivist when in compliance to the Unit's policy on copyright and publication.

Preferred Citation

Records of Grace Episcopal Church, Mss. Gr. 144, University of Rhode Island Special Collections.

 Scope and Content Note

The records document the administrative, financial, religious, social, and cultural activities of Grace Episcopal Church. The records are comprehensive but there are gaps, particularly in the early years of the parish's existence.

 Arrangement

After processing, the records were organized into nine series as follows:

1. Subject Files 2. Registers 3. Vestry 4. Financial Records 5. Images 6. Cemetery Records 7. Scrapbooks 8. Newsletters and Sunday Bulletins 9. Yearbooks

Open for research.

 Acquistions Information

The records were deposited in the Special Collections Unit of the University of Rhode Island Library in the summer and fall of 1999. Bound copies of The Parish Helper, 1995-2000 were deposited in 2000.

 Custodial History

Prior to their transfer, the records were housed in parish offices or in storage areas of the Parish House.

 Processing Information

The records were processed in late 1999; additonal material was added in 2000.

Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Archivist when in compliance to the Unit's policy on copyright and publication.

Records of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island contain records pertaining to Grace Church, specifially in Mss. Gr. 41.1: Series 2, Diocesan Parishes; Series 10 Parish Administration; Series 11, Baptisms/Confirmatons; Mss Gr. 41.2, Series 7, Parish Administrative Files.

New England Church Records, Rec. Gr. 48, Yale University Library, Divinity Library Special Collections, Series V, Rhode Island Churches, Box 54, Providence, Grace Church, 1898 flyer listing church service activities.

Approximately nine feet of financial records consisting of cancelled checks, invoices, paid bills, and receipts were destroyed because the information they contained is available in other formats in this series.

 Names Henshaw, J. P. K. (John Prentiss Kewley), 1792-1852 Clark, Thomas M. (Thomas March), 1812-1903 Providence (R.I.) -- Church history -- Sources Providence (R.I.) -- Genealogy Subjects Baptismal records -- Rhode Island -- Providence Cemeteries -- Rhode Island -- Providence Confirmation records -- Rhode Island -- Providence Marriage records -- Rhode Island -- Providence Registers of births, etc. -- Rhode Island -- Providence Grace Church Cemetery (Providence, R.I.) Episcopal Church -- Rhode Island -- Sermons Episcopal Church -- Rhode Island -- Bishops Grace Church (Providence, R.I.) -- Registers Episcopal Church -- Rhode Island -- History -- Sources Grace Church (Providence, R.I.) -- Records and correspondence RIAMCO Browsing Terms Religion Inventory Series 1 Subject Files 1884-1999 19 box(es) (19.5 linear feet)annual reportsminutesarticles of incorporationprogramsvisitors' booksforms (documents)sermonsdeedsreports

Includes annual reports, minutes of meetings, the Act of Incorporation, event programs, guest books, parishioner transfer forms, sermons, parish membership lists and cards, church school registration cards, deeds to pews, and parochial reports.

Arrangement

The records in this series are arranged alphabetically by subject or type of record and chronologically within folders.

1 1 1896 Altar Book (Merrymount Press) See: Oversize Box 13 1 2 1934, undated Altar Guild Handbooks 1 3 1915-1954 scattered Anniversaries 1 4 1933-1938 Annual Reports, See also: Vestry/Corporation, Series: Minutes and Meetings 1 5 1940-1945, 1952-1954 Annual Reports, See also: Vestry/Corporation Series: Minutes and Meetings 1 6 1957-1963 Annual Reports 1 7 1964-1966, 1978-1983 Annual Reports 1 8 1948 Anthony Window, Description of 1 9 1857-1959, 1926 Appreciation, Votes of 1 10 undated Archives of Grace Church, Instructions re. 1 11 1950-1967 Attendance at Church Services 1 12 1954, 1975 Auctions 2 13 1955-1957 Baptisms. See Also: Register Series: Parish Registers 2 14 1958-1959, undated Baptisms. See Also: Register Series: Parish Registers 2 15 1956-1958 Women's Bazaar 2 16 1959-1967 Bazaar, See Also: Women's Bazaar 2 17 1971-1980 Bazaar, See Also: Women's Bazaar 2 18 1981-1984 Bazaar, See Also: Women's Bazaar 2 19 undated Bazaar, See Also: Women's Bazaar 2 20 1976 Bicentennial Celebration 2 21 1965 Biennial Report of Non-Business Corporation 3 22 1928-1941 scattered, undated Biographical Sketches 3 23 undated The Bishop Seabury Memorial 3 24 1894 Book of Common Prayer. See: Oversize Box 1 3 24a 2000 Mar 25 Brooks, Rev. Robert: Newspaper Article 3 25 1967-1972, undated Building Renewal Program 3 26 undated Building Renovation Committee 3 27 1956 Burials: Allen-Zander. See also: Register Series: Parish Registers 3 28 1957 Burials: Allen-York, See also: Register Series: Parish Registers 3 29 1958 Burials: Adams-Wood. See also: Register Series: Parish Registers 3 30 1959 Burials: Anderson-Zannella. See also: Register Series: Parish Registers 3 31 1855 Burroughs, Rev. Henry: Resolution of Thanks Upon His Departure as Rector in Charge 3 32 1947-1977 scattered Business and Professional Women's Club 3 33 1972-1975 Apr Business and Professional Women's Club 3 34 1975 May-1976, undated Business and Professional Women's Club 4 35 1962 Calendar of Events 4 36 1975 Caskey, Charles C.: Ordination of 4 37 undated Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Boston): An Historical Sketch 4 38 1961-1962 Certificate of Delegates to R.I. Episcopal Convention 4 39 1926, 1928 Certificates 4 40 1999 Chafee, Sen. John: Funeral of 4 40a 1892-1959 scattered Chapel 4 41 1868, 1905-1920 scattered Charter (1829) and By-Laws 4 42 1921-1943 scattered Charter (1829) and By-Laws 4 43 1961-1980 scattered, undated Charter (1829) and By-Laws 4 44 undated Charter (1829) and By-Laws 5 45 1861, 1939-1940, 1969 Chimes 5 46 1863 Church Almanac 5 47 1969-1988 Church Periodical Club 5 48 undated Church Periodical Club 5 49 1963-1965 Clarence H. Horner Fellowship 5 50 1966-1967, undated Clarence H. Horner Fellowship 5 51 1903 Clark, Bishop Thomas M.: Obituary 5 52 1896 Clark, Bishop Thomas M.: Pastoral Letter 5 53 1866 Clark, Bishop Thomas M.: Resignation as Rector of Grace Church 5 54 1974-1980 Commissions and Committees 6 55 1981-1985, undated Commissions and Committees 6 56 1930, 1935, 1940, 1941,1944, 1967, undated Committees, Lists of 6 57 1914-1977scattered Concerts 6 58 1985, 1987 Confirmation 6 59 1846 Consecration Decree 6 60 1941, 1951, undated Constitution and Canons of The Rhode Island Episcopal Convention 6 61 1970 Construction Projects, List of 6 62 1832-1842 Correspondence 6 63 1844-1855 Correspondence 6 64 1856-1870 Correspondence 6 65 1871-1890 Correspondence 6 66 1891-1910 Correspondence 7 67 1913-1940 scattered Correspondence 7 68 1941-1974 Correspondence 7 69 1976-1984, 1990 Correspondence 7 69a 1998, 2000-2001 Directories 7 70 undated Episcopal Church in Providence in 1854 7 71 1914-1974 scattered Every Member Canvas 7 72 1978-1986 Every Member Canvas 7 73 undated Every Member Canvas 7 73a 1999 First Night Celebration 7 74 1975-1982 Flower Delivery Program 7 75 1871 Free Masons: Testimonial Certificate, See: Oversize Box 13 7 76 1841 Fulton, Mary and Sara: Certificate as Communicants of The Episcopal Church 7 77 1974 Gambrill, Rev. James: Institution as Rector of Grace Church 7 78 undated Gardener, Sarah M.: Will of 8 79 1942-1956 scattered Gifts and Memorials (1832-1957) 8 80 1918-1921 Girls Friendly Society: Programs of Plays 8 81 1982 Grace Church: Celebration of Mission and Service in Downtown Providence 8 82 1936, 1975 Grace Church A Poem 8 83 1936 Grace Church: Origin of the Name 8 84 undated Grace Church Camp, 1929-39: History 8 85 undated Grace Church Corporation: Organization Chart 8 86 1976 Grace Church Housing Corporation: By-Laws 8 87 1969 Grace Church in Providence: The First One Hundred Years, 1829-1929 8 88 1948 Grace Church Parish Institute of Religion: Brochure 8 89 1938, 1943, 1959, undated Grace Church School 9 90 1948 Grace Church Stone, Dedication of 9 91 1913-1914, 1916 Grace Church Sunday School: Programs for Plays 9 92 1927-1932 scattered, undated Grace House: Correspondence re. Proposed Sale of 9 93 1919 Greer, Rev. David (Rector of Grace Church 1872-88): Sermon Preached In His Memory 9 93a 2005 Griswold, Bishop Frank T.: Visitation 9 94 1974-1975 Guest Book 9 95 1981-1982 Guest Book 9 96 1845 Henshaw, Bishop John P.K.: "Address At The Laying of the Corner Stone of Grace Church" 9 97 1851 Henshaw, Bishop John P.K.: Jubilee Sermon 9 98 1843 Henshaw, Bishop John P.K.: Letter Accepting Appointment As rector of Grace Church 9 99 1929 A History of Grace Church 10 100 1965, undated History of Grace Church (typescript) 10 101 1931 A History of Grace In Providence, Rhode Island, 1829-1929 By Henry B. Huntington 10 102 1947, 1950, 1961, undated Horner, Rev. Clarence D. 10 103 1959 Horner, Edna B.: Dedication Program for Narthex Doors 10 104 1980 Hunt, Rev. George: Installation As Bishop of Rhode Island 10 105 undated Inactive Members, List of 10 106 undated Information Questionnaires: Adams-Butler 10 107 undated Information Questionnaires: Cady-Dyer 10 108 undated Information Questionnaires: Elsbree-Gutermuth 11 109 undated Information Questionnaires: Handy-Kruff 11 110 undated Information Questionnaires: Lathan-Provensil 11 111 undated Information Questionnaires: Rabb-Sundlun 11 112 undated Information Questionnaires: Taber-Young 11 113 1943 Jackson, Robinson and Adams, Architects: Correspondence re: Renovations to Grace Church 11 113a 2003 Lawrence, Edna: Autobiographical Narrative 11 114 1940 Lawrence, Bishop William: Address at the 155th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Massachusetts 11 115 1937 Lawrence, Rev. William Appleton (Rector of Grace Church, 1926-37), Tribute to 11 116 undated Lenten Noonday Preaching Sign, See: Oversize Box 13 11 117 1950-1958 Lenten Preachers: Correspondence 11 118 1966-1967, 1971 Liturgy: New Liturgy 12 119 1966, undated Long Range Panning 12 120 1894 MacLear's First Communion 12 121 1974 McGregor, Rev. Robert (Rector of Grace Church, 1963-74), Farewell Party 12 122 undated Members of the Parish, Lists of 1983 12 123 1939, 1949, 1977 Memorial Windows 12 124 1858 Military Companies of Providence: Resolution of Thanks to Grace Church 12 125 1914-1934 scattered Minstrel Shows: Programs for, See also: Photograph Series 12 126 1956 Narthex Windows 12 127 1970 Needlework Exhibition for the National Cathedral Association: Catalog 12 128 1977-1978, undated Noye's Fludde 12 129 1979-1981, 1983 One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary 12 130 1929 One Hundredth Anniversary 12 131 1886-1961scattered Organ 12 132 1951-1983 Organ Maintenance 12 133 1951-1983 Organ Recitals 12 133a 1997? Paint Analysis 13 134 1984 Parish Activities and Outreach Commission Report 13 135 undated Parish Archives Workshop 13 136 1930 Parish Calendar 13 137 1891-1952 scattered Parish House 13 138 1910-1913 Parish House and Chancel 13 139 1981, 1999 Parish Profiles 13 140 undated Parishioner Membership Cards, A-F, See: Oversize Box 2 13 141 undated Parishioner Membership Cards, G-O, See: Oversize Box 3 13 142 undated Parishioner Membership Cards, P-Z, See: Oversize Box 4 13 143 undated Parishioner Membership Cards, A-K, See: Oversize Box 5 13 144 undated Parishioner Membership Cards, L-Z, See: Oversize Box 6 13 145 undated Parish Membership Cards, A-Z, See: Oversize Box 21 13 146 1926 Parishioner Membership List 13 147 1929 Parishioner Membership List 13 148 1938, 1983 Parishioner Membership List 13 149 undated Parishioner Membership List, A-Z, See: Oversize Box 11 13 150 undated Parishioner Membership List, List of Men 13 151 1915-1955 scattered Parochial Reports 14 152 1956-1981 scattered Parochial Reports 14 153 1967 Person to Person in the Past, Present and Future of Grace Church 14 154 1965, 1974, undated Personnel Policies and Procedures 14 154a 1998 Peterborough Cathedral Choir, Also See: Oversize Box 13 14 155 1846 Pew Deed 14 156 1844 Pew Owners of Old Grace Church, List of 14 157 1848 Pew Owners of "New" Grace Church, List of 14 158 1916, undated Pew Subscribers, Lists of 14 159 undated Pew: Seating Chart, See: Oversize Box 13 14 160 1846-1919, undated scattered Pews, Miscellaneous 14 161 undated Plan of Westminster Street Entrance to Grace Church (Pencil Sketch), See: Oversize Box 20 14 162 1967 Planning Committee 14 163 1968-1971 Planning Committee 14 164 1981-1986 Pledge Drives 14 165 1987-1988, undated Pledge Drives 15 166 undated Poem About Grace Church 15 166a 1984 Preservation Award, See: Oversize Box 1 15 167 undated Purported Corrections as to Grace Church and Their Inscriptions 15 168 1938 Pulpit Canopy, Correspondence re. 15 169 1832-1976 scattered Real Estate Transaction: Correspondence re. 15 169a 1988 Recognition Day Proclamation, See: Oversize Box 1 15 170 undated Rectors, List of 15 171 undated Rectors of Grace Church: Biographical Sketches of 15 172 1876-1878 Rectory: Committee to Build a New Rectory 15 173 1888-1889, 1892-1900 Rectory: Rectory Fund Reports 15 174 1883 Redecoration of Grace Church: Committee Report 15 175 1857 Rise and Progress of Grace Church 15 176 1985-1988 Scripture Readings: Introduction to 15 177 undated Seal of Grace Church 15 178 undated Sermon Fragments 15 179 1859, 1846-1903 scattered Sermons 15 180 1904 Sermons 15 181 1905-1907 Sermons 15 182 1913-1914 Jun Sermons 16 183 1914 Sep-1914 Dec Sermons 16 184 1915-1916, 1938, 1945 Sermons 16 185 1978, 1980, 1982, undated Sermons 16 186 undated Sermons 16 187 1942-1946, undated Service Men's Club 16 188 1977-1984scattered Services: Christmas Services 16 189 1976-1978 Services: Confirmation 16 190 1899, 1926, 1968 Services: Easter Service 16 191 1960, 1974 Services: Installation Services 16 192 1903, 1930, 1962, 1970-1980, 1984 Services: Lenten Services 16 193 undated Services: Palm Sunday Service 16 194 1880 Services: Report of the Committee to Consider Daily Services 16 195 1861-1984 scattered, undated Services: Miscellaneous 17 196 1930, 1971, 1980-1988, 1998, undated Special Events and Programs 17 197 1990 Stained Glass Legacy of Providence, Rhode Island 17 198 1987 Survey Report on Existing [Structural] Conditions With Recommendations 17 198a undated Survey Report on Religious Education 17 199 1971-1979 scattered Thanksgiving Fruit Tray Delivery Program 17 200 1956-1957 Transfers into the Parish 17 201 1958, 1977 Transfers into the Parish 17 202 1980-1985 Transfers into the Parish 17 203 1956-1957 Transfers Out of the Parish 17 204 1958 Transfers Out of the Parish 18 205 1959, 1977-1979 Transfers Out of the Parish 18 206 1980-1982 Transfers Out of the Parish 18 207 1983-1985 Transfers Out of the Parish 18 208 1954-1981, undated Transfers Into/Out of the Parish 18 208a 2003 Trinity Gateway Cemetery Project 18 209 1939, 1944-1945 Triptych Correspondence re. (Religious Painting) 18 210 1844 Vinton, Rev. Francis: Sermon Preached in Grace Church, Providence 18 211 1979-1981, 1984 Ward, Rev. David (Rector of Grace Church, 1979-81) 18 212 1983 Warren, Rev. Daniel: Institution As Rector of Grace Church 18 212a 2000 Watkins, John C.: Obituary 18 213 1973-1981 Wednesday Lunch Program 18 214 1961-1983 scattered, undated Winslow Building 18 214a 1999 Wolf, Bishop Gesalyn: Visitation 18 215 1904-1918 scattered Woman's Auxiliary 18 216 1916 Woman's Auxiliary: Program for "Dramatic Entertainment" 19 217 1959 Women's Bazaar 19 218 1956-1970 Women of Grace Church 19 219 1975-1983 Women of Grace Church 19 220 1974 Women's Club Membership Cards: A-W 19 221 1975 Women's Club Membership Cards: A-Z 19 222 1936-1942 Young People's Fellowship: Membership List 19 223 1938 Youth In Grace Church 19 224 1912-1990 scattered, undated Miscellaneous 19 225 undated Miscellaneous Series 2 Registers 1830-1978 21 box(es) (14 linear feet)card indexesindexes (reference sources)registers (lists)baptismal registersburial registersmarriage registers

Contains the bound registers of church services, baptisms, marriages, confirmations, and burials. The registers include the date time number of worshippers and the name of the celebrant for each service held in the parish. The Parish Registers are divided into sections by the type of service performed, i.e. baptisms, burials, confirmations, and marriages. The quantity and type of information recorded varies with the type of service. For baptisms, it includes the name and date of birth of the person baptized, the date of the ceremony, the names of his/her parents, and the name of the officiating clergy. The marriage records include the date of the ceremony, the names and ages of the betrothed, their addresses, the names of the parents of both parties, and the name of the presiding clergy. Confirmation records include the dates and names of those confirmed and the name of the bishop performing the ceremony. The burial records include the name of the deceased, the date of death, the age at death, the cause of death, the date of the funeral, the place of burial, and the name of the presiding clergy. Individual entries within each section are arranged chronologically by the date of the service.

Indexes to the registers were created over a period of time; the amount of information recorded on the index cards varies. The index is incomplete and cannot be relied upon as the sole determinant of the existence of an entry. The cards are divided by type of service (baptism, burial, confirmation, marriage) and arranged alphabetically by the last name of the person baptized, buried, confirmed, or married (husband's name). Each of the index cards contains a name, the type of service, the volume number and page number of the Parish Register in which the entry can be found, and some, but not all, of the information contained in the entry. There are 14 boxes of index cards at the end of the collection.

Arrangement

This series is arranged in three divisions; the bound volumes containing the baptisms, marriages, confirmations, and burials and the bound volumes recording the record of church services as well as an overall index to the registers. The oversized volumes and index card boxes are at the end of the collection and numbered in sequence by format.

 Oversize 7 1 1830-1877 [1830-1853] Parish Register: Baptisms, Burials, Communicants, Confirmations, Marriages. Oversize 7 2 1855-1878 Parish Register: Baptisms, Burials, Communicants, Confirmations, Marriages. Oversize 8 3 1878-1889 Parish Register: Baptisms, Burials, Communicants, Confirmations, Marriages. Oversize 8 4 1889-1899 Apr 12 Parish Register: Baptisms, Burials, Communicants, Confirmations, Marriages. Oversize 20 5 1899-1909 Parish Register: Baptisms, Burials, Communicants, Confirmations, Marriages. Oversize 9 5a 1907-1928 Parish Register: Baptisms, Burials, Confirmations. Oversize 9 6 1907-1929 Parish Register: Communicants. Oversize 9 7 1907-1928 Parish Register: Marriages. Oversize 10 8 1929-1934 Parish Register: Baptisms, Burials, Communicants, Confirmations, Marriages. Oversize 10 9 1935-1939 Parish Register: Baptisms, Burials, Communicants, Confirmations, Marriages. 20 10 1907 Oct 3-1918 Apr 5 Register of Church Services 20 11 1918 Apr 7-1927 Apr 26 Register of Church Services 20 12 1940 Jan 7-1950 Jan 1 Register of Church Services 20 13 1950 Jan-1952 Jun Register of Church Services 21 14 1952 Jul-1957 Dec 8 Register of Church Services 21 15 1957 Dec 12-1960 Dec 27 Register of Church Services 21 16 1960 Dec 28-1966 Mar 10 Register of Church Services 21 17 1966 Mar 11-1969 Oct 19 Register of Church Services 21 18 1969 Oct 22-1973 Oct 18 Register of Church Services 21 19 1973 Oct 21-1978 Dec Register of Church Services 21 20 1967-1972 Register of Church Services: Private Communications index box 1 Baptisms A - F index box 2 Baptisms G - N index box 3 Babtisms O - Wie index box 4 Baptisms Wig - Z ; Marriages A - Z index box 5 Baptisms A - P index box 6 Baptisms Q - Z ; Burials A - F index box 7 Burials G- Smith index box 8 Burials Sn - Z; A - D index box 9 Confirmations A - Bil index box 10 Confirmations Bim - E index box 11 Confirmations E - J index box 12 Confirmations K - Pel index box 13 Confirmations Pew - S index box 14 Confirmations T - Z Series 3 Vestry / Corporation 1829-1986 9 box(es) (4.5 linear feet)agendas (administrative records)minutesannual reportsreportsletters (correspondence)

The vestry is a group of lay people elected annually by the parish corporation to administer the secular affairs of the parish. The records in this series document the activities of the vestry and the parish corporation in the administration of parish affairs. Included are agenda and minutes of meetings of the vestry, minutes of the annual meetings of the parish corporation, annual reports of the vestry, minutes and reports of vestry committees, consultant reports, and correspondence.

The minutes of the meetings of the vestry document the founding of the parish in 1829 and trace its growth and development over the following one hundred fifty years.

Arrangement

The records are arranged alphabetically by subject or type of record and chronologically within folders.

 22 1 1846, 1863-1870 Annual Reports of the Vestry 22 2 1871-1879 Annual Reports of the Vestry 22 3 1880-1889 Annual Reports of the Vestry 22 4 1890-1895 Annual Reports of the Vestry 22 5 1896-1900 Annual Reports of the Vestry 22 6 1901-1905 Annual Reports of the Vestry 22 7 1906-1910 Annual Reports of the Vestry 22 8 1911-1915 Annual Reports of the Vestry 22 9 1917-1960 scattered Annual Reports of the Vestry. See also: Minutes of Meetings 1829-1977 22 10 1961-1974 Annual Reports of the Vestry. See also: Minutes of Meetings 1829-1977 22 11 1859, 1925-28, 1960-61, 1975-79 Clergy and Wardens: Correspondence 23 12 1980-1981 May Clergy and Wardens: Correspondence 23 13 1981 Jun-1981 Sep Clergy and Wardens: Correspondence 23 14 1981 Oct-1986 Clergy and Wardens: Correspondence 23 15 1916, 1924, 1934, 1947-1951 Correspondence of the Vestry Secretary 23 16 1952-1960 Correspondence of the Vestry Secretary 23 17 1961-1964 Correspondence of the Vestry Secretary 23 18 1976-1984 Correspondence of the Vestry Secretary 23 19 1953-1955 Junior Vestry: Agenda and Minutes of Meetings 23 20 1829-1853 Minutes of Meetings 24 21 1853 Mar 28-1873 Apr 14 Minutes of Meetings 24 22 1873 Apr 14-1892 Apr 18 Minutes of Meetings 24 23 1892 Oct 19-1912 Apr 5 Minutes of Meetings 25 24 1912 Apr 8-1926 May 10 Minutes of Meetings 25 25 1926 May 27-1937 Jan 20 Minutes of Meetings 25 26 1937 Jan 25-1947 Jan 27 Minutes of Meetings 26 27 1947 Jan 15-1958 Dec Minutes of Meetings 26 28 1959-1965 Mar 16 Minutes of Meetings 27 29 1965 Apr 20-1977 Nov 8 Minutes of Meetings 27 30 1834, 1850-1851, 1862, 1964 Minutes of Meetings 27 31 1965 Minutes of Meetings 27 32 1966 Minutes of Meetings 27 33 1967 Minutes of Meetings 28 34 1968 Minutes of Meetings 28 35 1969 Minutes of Meetings 28 36 1970 Minutes of Meetings 28 37 1971-1972 Minutes of Meetings 28 38 1973-1974 Minutes of Meetings 28 39 1975 Minutes of Meetings 28 40 1976 Minutes of Meetings 29 41 1977 Minutes of Meetings 29 42 1978 Minutes of Meetings 29 43 1979 Jan-1979 May Minutes of Meetings 29 44 1979 Jun-1979 Dec Minutes of Meetings 29 45 1980 Minutes of Meetings 29 46 1981 Minutes of Meetings 30 47 1982 Jan-1982 Jun Minutes of Meetings 30 48 1982 Jul-1982 Dec Minutes of Meetings 30 49 1983 Jan-1983 Jun Minutes of Meetings 30 50 1983 Jul-1983 Dec Minutes of Meetings 30 51 1984-1985, 1988 Minutes of Meetings 30 52 1976-1985 scattered Nominating Committee 30 53 1973-1974, 1978-1979 Rector Search Committees 30 54 1974, 1981, undated Survey Committee 30 55 1840-1898 scattered, undated Votes and Resolutions 30 56 1947-1985 scattered Miscellaneous 30a 57 1992-1994 Notes and Materials 30a 58 1994 Notes and Materials Series 4 Financial Records 1834-1989 11 box(es) (5.5 linear feet)financial recordsledgers (account books)reports

The Financial Records Series documents to some extent the financial history and development of Grace Church. Though there are some gaps in the series, the records provide a comprehensive record of the financial history and status of the parish.

Included are audit reports, budgets, check registers, cash journals, ledgers, endowment. estate, and trust records, financial statements, income and expense statements, investment and trust account reports, and treasurer's reports.

The records are arranged alphabetically by subject or type of record and chronologically within folders.

 Arrangement

The records are arranged alphabetically by subject or type of record and chronologically within folders.

 31 1 1918-1919, 1921-1923, 1974 Audit Report 31 2 1846-1855 scattered Budgets 31 3 1956-1959 Budgets 31 4 1960-1969 Budgets 31 5 1970-1985 scattered Budgets 31 6 1986, 1992-1993 Cash Receipts Journal. See also: Oversize Box 12 31 7 1977-1981 CETA Program: Correspondence re. 31 8 1956-1960 Feb 26 Check Register 31 9 1966 Feb 29-1966 Apr 19 Check Register 32 10 1966 Apr 21-1979 Nov 3 Check Register 32 11 1971, 1979-1982, undated Church Pension Fund 32 12 1958-1972 scattered Convention Assessments 32 13 1854 Committee to Investigate the Treasurer's Accounts, Report of 32 14 1978-1979 Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Returns 32 15 1984-1985 Jun Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Returns 32 16 1986 Sep-1986 Dec, 1988-1989 Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Returns 33 17 1967, 1970-1972, 1979-1982 Endowments 33 18 1983-1985, undated Endowments 33 19 1917-1956 scattered Estates and Trusts: Correspondence re. 33 20 1958-1960 Estates and Trusts: Correspondence re. 33 21 1961-1966 Estates and Trusts: Correspondence re. 33 22 1967-1971 Estates and Trusts: Correspondence re. 33 23 1972-1980 Estates and Trusts: Correspondence re. 34 24 1981-1983 Estates and Trusts: Correspondence re. 34 25 1984-1987, undated Estates and Trusts: Correspondence re. 34 26 1929-1966 scattered Every Member Canvas 34 27 1967-1976 Every Member Canvas 34 28 1977-1983 Every Member Canvas 34 29 1988 Finance Reports 34 30 1981-1982 Financial Statements 34 31 1977-1979 Income and Expense Statements 35 32 1980-1981 Income and Expense Statements 35 33 1982 Income and Expense Statements 35 34 1983-1984, 1986 Income and Expense Statements 35 35 1957-1966 Insurance 35 36 1967-1970 Insurance 35 37 1971-1982 scattered, undated Insurance 35 38 undated Insurance Policies, List of 35 39 undated Investment Accounts, List of 35 40 1955-1970 scattered Investment and Trust Account Reports 36 41 1971-1979 Jun scattered Investment and Trust Account Reports 36 42 1979 Dec-1980 Jul Investment and Trust Account Reports 36 43 1980 Sep-1981 Mar Investment and Trust Account Reports 36 44 1981 Apr-1983 Feb Investment and Trust Account Reports 36 45 1983 Mar-1985, 1992-1993 Investment and Trust Account Reports 36 46 1917-1935 Journal Loan and Clarity Fund Ledger, See: Oversize Box 11 36 47 1977 Ledgers: General Ledger 37 48 1978 Ledgers: General Ledger 37 49 1979 Ledgers: General Ledger 37 50 1980, 1986 Ledgers: General Ledger 37 51 1980-1983 Ledgers: Parking Lot Fees 37 52 1966 Ledgers: Trust Ledger 37 53 undated Loan Amortization Schedule 37 54 1951, 1969 Memorial Funds: Lists of Donors 37 55 undated Memorial Funds: Lists of Donors 37 56 undated Organ Fund 37 57 1899-1900 Parish House Fund 37 58 1886-1898 Pledges 37 59 1976-1986 Pledges, See: Oversize Box 11 38 60 1970, 1979 Property Taxes: Correspondence re. 38 61 1970 Renewal for Others Fund 38 62 1942-1953 scattered Rhode Island Hospital: Endowed Beds 38 63 1976-1978 Real Estate: Albee Lot Purchase 38 64 1868-1870 Real Estate, Treasurer's Account of 38 65 1979-1982 Salaries and Payroll 38 65a 1885-1898 Sunday Offering, See Oversize Box 11 38 65b 1899-1915 Sunday Offering, See Oversize Box 12 38 65c 1924-1933 Sunday Offering, See Oversize Box 12 38 66 1958-1980 scattered Treasurer's Correspondence 38 67 1980-1987 scattered, undated Treasurer's Correspondence 39 68 1834-1840 Treasurer's Reports 39 69 1841-1850 Treasurer's Reports 39 70 1851-1855 Treasurer's Reports 39 71 1856-1860 Treasurer's Reports 39 72 1861-1865 Treasurer's Reports 39 73 1866-1870 Treasurer's Reports 39 74 1871-1875 Treasurer's Reports 39 75 1876-1880 Treasurer's Reports 40 76 1881-1885 Treasurer's Reports 40 77 1886-1890 Treasurer's Reports 40 78 1891-1895 Treasurer's Reports 40 79 1896-1900 Treasurer's Reports 40 80 1901-1904 Treasurer's Reports 40 81 1906-1916 Treasurer's Reports 40 82 1924-1935 Treasurer's Reports 40 83 1936-1945 Treasurer's Reports 40 84 1946-1950 Treasurer's Reports 41 85 1951-1955 Treasurer's Reports 41 86 1957, 1959-1963 Treasurer's Reports 41 87 1964-1965 Treasurer's Reports 41 88 1966-1967 Treasurer's Reports 41 89 1968-1971 Treasurer's Reports 41 90 1974-1993 scattered Treasurer's Reports 41 91 1901-1915 scattered Treasurer's Reports: Funded Investments 41 92 1873-1898 Treasurer's Reports: Sunday Offering Receipts Series 5 Images 1894-1972 4 box(es) (2 linear feet)photographsblack and white negatives

Contains images of people, places, and events in some way significant to the history and development of Grace Church. The photographs are in a variety of formats, including prints, negative, and seventeen glass plates.

Images depict the exterior and interior of Grace Church, including the altar, bell, pulpit, and stained glass windows; other buildings in the parish complex, including the interior and exterior of the Parish House, the parish offices, and the World War II era Service Men's Club; prominent religious and lay members of the parish, including several former rectors and bishops of Rhode Island; church organizations; church services; and church sponsored fairs and other events and celebrations.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by the name of the individual/organization depicted or by the subject and format of the image. Seventeen glass plates are housed at the end of the series and several oversize images are housed at the end of the collection.

 42 1 1972 Albee Theater Plaque Dedication 42 2 1929, 1951, 1974, undated Altar 42 3 undated Altar Book 42 4 undated Anthony, John B. (Warden) 42 5 1975 Armstrong, Bishop James (United Methodist Bishop of the Dakotas) 42 6 undated Babcock, Rev. Charles Henry (Rector of Grace Church, 1888-94) 42 7 1967 Basketball Team 42 8 undated Bazaar 42 9 undated Bell, Rev. Cosby 42 10 1963, 1971 Bell Ringers 42 11 1940 Bells 42 12 undated Bowie, Rev. W.L. 42 13 undated Brooks, Bishop Phillips (Bishop of Massachusetts) 42 14 1929 Centennial Farm. See: Glass plates at end of series 42 15 1907, 1935, undated Choir 42 16 1926, 1928, undated Christmas Pageants 42 17 undated Church Exterior. See also: Glass plates at end of series and Oversize Box 13 42 18 undated Church Exterior: Pencil Sketches. See also: Oversize 42 19 undated Church Interior. See also: Oversize Box 13 and glass plates at end of series 42 20 undated Church Picnic 42 21 undated Clarke, Rev. John A. (Rector of Grace Church, 1832-35) 42 22 undated Clark, Bishop Thomas M. (Rector of Grace Church, 1854-66) See: Glass Plates at end of Series 42 23 undated Coffee Hours 42 24 1894 Corner of Westminster and Mathewson Streets 42 25 undated Cronhimer, Fred (Grace Church Organist) 42 26 1914, 1929, undated Crowder, Rev. Frank (Rector of Grace Church, 1910-16) See also: Glass Plates at end of series 42 27 undated Cummings, Rev. A.G. 42 28 undated Currie, Rev. Charles G. (Rector of Grace Church 1871-72): Pencil Sketches 42 29 undated Dunn, Rev. E. Arthur (Archbishop of the Dunn, Rev. E. Arthur (Archbishop of the East Indies) East Indies) 42 30 undated Donegan, Rev. Horace B. (Rector of St. James Church, New York) 42 31 undated Fitts, Rev. Frederick W. (Rector of St. John's Church, Roxbury Crossing, MA) 42 32 undated Fuller, Rev. Samuel (First Rector of Grace Church, 1831) 42 33 undated Gildersleeve, Virginia (Dean of Barnard College) 43 34 1920 Girls Club 43 35 1917-1927 scattered Girls Club: Minstrel Shows 43 36 1981 Grace Church Doll House 43 37 undated Grammer, Rev. Carl E. 43 38 undated Greer, Rev. David (Rector of Grace Church, 1872-1888) 43 39 undated Griswald, Bishop Alexander (Bishop of Rhode Island) 43 40 undated Heller, William H. (Organist at Grace Church) 43 41 1957, undated Horner, Rev. Clarence H. (Rector of Grace Church, 1937-61) 43 42 1952 Junior Vestry 43 43 undated Kellogg, Rev. Day Otis (Rector of Grace Church, 1867-70) 43 44 undated Kingsley, Shephard C. (Superintendent of Church Sunday School) 43 45 1917 Lawrence, Bishop William (Bishop of Massachusetts) 43 46 undated Lawrence, Bishop William Appleton (Bishop of Western Massachusetts and Rector of Grace Church, 1926-1937) 43 47 undated MacColl, Rev. Alexander 43 48 undated Manger Scene 43 49 undated Matthews, John Sebastian (Organist and Choir Master at Grace Church, 1916-34) 43 50 1974, undated McGregor, Rev. Robert F. (Rector of Grace Church, 1963-74) 43 51 undated McVickar, Bishop William (Bishop of Rhode Island) 43 52 undated Mills, Lawrence 43 53 undated Mission Church 43 54 undated Mountfurd, Captain B.F. (Army Chaplain) 43 55 undated Newton, Mrs. Frank 43 56 undated Olson, Ray: Testimonial Dinner (slides) 43 57 undated Organ 43 58 1952, undated Parish House. See also: Glass plates at end of series 43 59 undated Parish House: Individual Rooms 43 60 undated Peabody, Rev. Endicott 43 61 undated People in Groups. See also: Glass plates at end of series 44 62 undated Prayer Shrine 44 63 1935 Preston, Rev. Richard G. (Rector of All Saints Church, Warwick) 44 64 undated Rousmaniere, Rev. Edmunds (Rector of Grace Church 1899-1909) 44 65 undated Hawaii 44 66 1931 Senle, Deaconess Hildegarde 44 67 undated Service Men's Club 44 68 1926-1955 scattered, undated Services 44 69 undated Slides 44 70 undated Slides 44 71 undated Slides 44 72 undated Slides 44 73 undated Slides 44 74 1990 Spire Renovation 44 75 undated Sturges, Rev. Philomen (Rector of Grace Church, 1916-26) See also: Glass Plates at end of Series 44 76 undated Sunday School 44 77 undated Symbols and Crests (Pencil Sketches) 44 78 undated Tomkins, Rev. Floyd (Rector of Grace Church, 1894-99) See also: Glass Plates at end of series 44 79 undated Tsu, Rev. Y.Y. 44 80 1970 Vestry 44 81 undated Vinton, Rev. Alexander H. (Rector of Grace Church, 1836-42) 44 82 undated Westminster Street 44a 83 undated Glass Plate Negatives Series 6 Cemetery Records 1834-1983 12 box(es) (7.5 linear feet)card indexesreportsburial registersadministrative regulations

The records in this series relate to the historic cemetery owned by Grace Church in Providence. Includes an alphabetic listing of people buried in the Grace Church Cemetery, committee and consultant reports concerning the cemetery, budgets for maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery, regulations governing the administration and operation of the cemetery, cemetery plot diagrams, cemetery plot deeds, receipts for the sale of cemetery plots, and correspondence.

An alphabetic card index of those buried in the Grace Church Cemetery contains: the name of the deceased, the number of the cemetery plot in which he/she is interred, the name of the undertaker, and usually the date of death. There are also occasional notes on the cards, as for example, a notation that a body has been disinterred for burial elsewhere.

Arrangement

Arranged in two subseries: Administrative Files and a Card Index of those buried in the Grace Church Cemetery. The Administrative Files are arranged alphabetically by subject or type of record and chronologically within folders. The cards are arranged alphabetically by the last name of the deceased and are housed at the end of the collection.

 Adminstrative Files 3 box(es) (1.5 linear feet) 45 1 1978, undated Alphabetic Index of Burials in Grace Church Cemetery 45 2 1963 Budget for Cemetery Operations (1958-63) 45 3 1834 Burial Ground Committee, Report of 45 4 1970-1971, 1977 Burial Record Cards 45 5 1891-1915 Cemetery Activity Log 45 6 1916-1947 Cemetery Activity Log 45 7 1982-1987, undated Cemetery Activity Log 45 7a undated Cemetery Case Law, Notes re. 45 8 1961 Cemetery Committee, Report of 45 9 1977-1982 Condition of Cemetery, Complaints re. 45 10 1967 Consultant's Report re. the Cemetery 45 11 1923-1983 scattered Correspondence 46 12 1849-1895 scattered Deed to Cemetery Plots 46 13 1902-1920 scattered Deeds to Cemetery Plots 46 14 1921-1932, 1939, 1946 Deed to Cemetery Plots 46 15 1979 Fundraising for Cemetery Maintenance 46 16 1934-1976, undated Interments in Grace Church Cemetery 46 17 undated Petition Protesting Imposition of Cemetery Fee on Undertakers 46 18 undated Plot Diagrams: 1-274 46 19 undated Plot Diagrams: 275-524 47 20 undated Plot Diagrams: 525-809 47 20a undated Esty, Ralph Cemetery Notes, re. 47 21 1915-1932 Plot Index And Ledger 47 22 undated Plot Listings: 1-603 47 23 undated Plot Listings: 604-809 47 24 1848, 1937? Plot Map of Grace Church Cemetery 47 25 1890-1938 scattered Receipts for Sale of Cemetery Plots 47 26 1940-1980 Regulations 47 27 undated Releases 47 28 1977, 1979-1980 Sale of Plots, Correspondence re. 47 29 1934 Service Station Proposal submitted by Gulf Refinery Company 47 30 1934 Nov 26 Shepard, George G. and Ralph S. Esty Agreement 47 31 1971, 1973 Vandalism Cemetery Index 9 box(es) (4.5 linear feet) 1 Abbot- Ayuazian 2 Babbit - Birch 3 Burdick - Dennicourt 4 Dennis - Gould 5 Goulding - I 6 J - L 7 M -N 8 O - Robbles 9 Robert - W Series 7 Scrapbooks 1900-1988 6 box(es) (5.5 linear feet)scrapbooks

Consists of fifteen scrapbooks documenting major events in the history of Grace Church. Bulk consist of clippings from local newspapers, also includes photographs, programs for events at Grace Church, and a variety of memorabilia. Significant is a scrapbook entitled "Saving Grace." It documents major fundraising campaign in 1988 to raise money for renovations to the church.

 Arrangement

The scrapbooks are arranged chronologically by date. Oversized scapbooks are at the end of the collection.

 48 1 1927-1929 Church School, See: Oversize Box 14 48 2 1929-1930 Church School, See: Oversize Box 15 48 3 1930-1931 Church School, See: Oversize Box 15 48 3a 1829-1976 History, See: Oversize Box 18 48 4 1937-1938 Publicity 48 5 1949-1954 Publicity 48 6 1954-1956 Publicity 48 7 1988 Saving Grace. See: Oversize Box 20 48 8 1900-1906 Miscellaneous. See: Oversize Box 16 48 9 1909-1927 Miscellaneous. See: Oversize Box 17 48 10 1927-1935 Miscellaneous. See: Oversize Box 18 48 11 1936-1957 Miscellaneous. See: Oversize Box 19 48 12 1941-1956 Miscellaneous. See: Oversize Box 13 48 13 1957-1970 Miscellaneous. See: Oversize Box 19 48 14 1956-1963 Miscellaneous. See: Oversize Box 18 48 15 undated Miscellaneous Series 8 Newsletters and Sunday Bulletins 1894-2000 10 box(es) (10 linear feet)newsletters

Consists of bound copies of the Grace Church Sunday service bulletin and the parish newsletter, The Parish Helper.

 Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by year.

 49 1894-1920 50 1920-1935 51 1935-1944 52 1945-1955 53 1955-1963 54 1963-1970 55 1970-1978 56 1978-1984 57 1984-1994 58 1995-2000 Series 9 Yearbooks 1882-1898 1 box(es) (.5 linear feet)

Contains bound copies of the Grace Church parish yearbook dating from 1882. The yearbooks served as an expanded version of the parish's annual report, summarizing the activities of all the organizations, committees, and officers of the parish

 Arrangement

Arranged chronlogically by year

 1 1882-1892 2 1889-1897 3 1893/1898