Cathedral of St. John, Providence

Founded in 1722 as King's Church, the Cathedral of Saint John was the first Episcopal congregation in Providence. The original wooden building served the parish until the early 19th century, when architect John Holden Greene designed a new stone structure in the early Gothic Revival style. Completed in 1810, Greene鈥檚 design featured a nave flanked by an entrance stair tower, drawing heavily on English architectural pattern books of the period.

Over the years, the structure saw numerous changes that reflected shifting architectural styles and liturgical needs. Richard Upjohn added a chapel in 1856, followed by Clifton A. Hall鈥檚 south transept in 1866. The interior was later remodeled in a Baroque style in 1905, and additional updates were made in 1967. In 1929, the church was named the official seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, becoming the Cathedral of Saint John.

However, declining membership and significant renovation needs forced the cathedral to close in 2012. Two years later, the Episcopal Diocese announced plans to convert the space into a museum and reconciliation center exploring Rhode Island鈥檚 role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The project aims to acknowledge both the beneficiaries and the opponents of slavery, making it the first U.S. museum focused on slavery鈥檚 history in New England.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Providence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Sight Name: Cathedral of St. John
Sight Location: Providence, USA (See walking tours in Providence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Providence Historical Buildings Tour

Walking Tours in Providence, Rhode Island

Create Your Own Walk in Providence

Creating your own self-guided walk in Providence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Providence Introduction Walking Tour

Along the banks of the Providence River sits one of New England鈥檚 oldest and most storied settlements. Founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a bold dissenter fleeing Massachusetts Bay Colony, it initially began as a sanctuary of religious freedom. Williams believed this haven was revealed through divine mercy鈥攈ence the name 鈥淧rovidence.鈥� Over time, the city grew from its humble beginnings... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

Brown University Walking Tour

Chief among the iconic landmarks contributing to the cultural atmosphere of Providence, Rhode Island, is Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League institution known for its liberal arts education and vibrant campus life. Founded in 1764, this is the seventh-oldest university in the United States, chartered before the American Revolution.

Brown's historic campus offers a classic New... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Providence Historical Buildings Tour

A beautiful city on the banks of the Providence River, Providence, Rhode Island, is nearly as old as the United States themselves 鈥� founded in 1636. As such, the city has many interesting historical and architectural landmarks worth checking out that tell the story of its past.

Among these, the Providence County Courthouse stands as a symbol of justice and governance. The Old Stone Bank,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles

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