The diocese receives frequent requests for historical and genealogical material. Links to its archives and the records of some of its parishes are available below. The diocese also maintains a small resource library with books on topics ranging from spirituality to congregational development.
The University of Rhode Island serves as the official depository of non-current and historical records of many of the Episcopal churches located in Rhode Island. In 1976, Bishop John Seville Higgins deposited the records of St. John’s Cathedral and the records of defunct Episcopal churches (which had been transferred to the Cathedral building) to the University of Rhode Island. Subsequently, other Episcopal churches have deposited their records at the University of Rhode Island on a voluntary basis.
You can see a list of what is filed there by downloading the Guide to the Records of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island 1715-1990. These records are housed at
University of Rhode Island Library
Special Collections and Archives Unit
15 Lippitt Road Kingston, RI 02881-2011
E-mail: archives@etal.uri.edu
Website: http://www.uri.edu/library/special_collections/
Rhode Island Episcopal Church Records: https://web.uri.edu/specialcollections/episcopal_list2/
If you are a member of one of our churches and have a question about how to file your congregation’s materials, contact Mary Ann Mello at the Bishop’s Office or the URI Archives. The Manual for Business Methods provides guidance on what records should be retained.
In the Episcopal Church each congregation serves as the primary record-keeper of its baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials. If you are looking for any of these records, please inquire first to the church where the sacrament was performed.
Parish and diocesan records from more than 30 years ago are stored in the Special Collections Department of the University of Rhode Island Library. For more information about the URI Special Collections Librarian, call them at 401-874-4632.
Looking for records from a church that has closed or merged? See the following list:
Church of the Messiah, Foster
- Merger/Closing Date: 1994
- Contact the diocese
Resurrection, Warwick
- Merger/Closing Date: 2001
- Contact the diocese
Church of the Advent, Pawtucket
- Merger/Closing Date: 2005
- Records kept at: Good Shepherd, Pawtucket
St. Andrew’s & St. Philip, Coventry
- Merger/Closing Date: 2006
- Records kept at: Retained
Church of the Messiah, Providence
- Merger/Closing Date: 2006
- Records kept at: Grace Church, Providence
St. Martin’s, Pawtucket
- Merger/Closing Date: January 7th, 2007
- Records kept at: Epiphany, East Providence
St. George’s, Newport
- Merger/Closing Date: April 22nd, 2007
- Records kept at: St. Mary’s Portsmouth
St. Matthias, Coventry
- Merger/Closing Date: July 1st, 2008
- Records kept at: St. Francis, Coventry
St. Mary’s, Warwick
- Merger/Closing Date: July 31st, 2009
- Records kept at: St. Barnabas, Warwick
Church of the Epiphany, Providence
- Merger/Closing Date: August 31st 2009
- Contact the diocese
Calvary Church, Pascoag
- Merger/Closing Date: October 11th 2009
- Contact the diocese
The Diocese has a variety of books, curricula and other resources that are available to congregations. These resources are stored in bookcases in the upper conference room and the in the lower level hallway. There is no requirement to “sign out” a resource or even to return it. Feel free to take what you need — return it if it seems good to you. Or contribute a resource you’d like to share.
We’d love to have someone sort and organize these resources, label the shelves and prepare a page that tells people where different topics are stored. If you’re inspired to offer this service, email or call Mary Ann Mello at 401-274-4500.
