To the Editor,

On November 10, 2024, Spring Green Memorial Church will celebrate 75 years of ministry in the Warwick community!  Located at 1350 Warwick Avenue, the church is a beautiful white building located next to the Barrett and Cotter Funeral Home and across from Politelli Dental.  For nearly two centuries, the church and its predecessor schools have been serving the Warwick community.

In 1828, Governor John Francis Brown built a school for the education of former slaves and to serve the community’s needs.  During the Civil War, the schoolhouse and surrounding land were used for Rhode Island soldiers to camp and train before they mustered off to combat.  Elizabeth and Sally Francis, the governor’s daughters, continued their parents’ work of running the building as a Sunday school and community center.  After Elizabeth’s and Sally’s deaths, their niece Alice Brown and her husband Frank continued to run the Sunday school.  Frank Brown donated the building and land to the Rhode Island State Baptist Convention after Alice’s death in 1936. 

On November 10, 1949, fifty-five charter members formed Spring Green Memorial Church with the belief that the church should be open to everyone regardless of race, color, or creed.  For the last 75 years, Spring Green Church has been holding Baptist worship services and Bible studies, running food pantries, hosting community events, and maintaining relationships with the larger community. 

Everyone is invited to a special service on Saturday, November 9^th at 6:30 p.m. where we will celebrate the church’s history.  Light desserts will be served afterwards.  There will also be a special worship service on Sunday, November 10^th at 10:30 a.m. as part of our 75^th anniversary weekend.  Lunch will be provided after the service.  We would love for you to join us!

Matthew Cate

Trustee

Spring Green Memorial Church