Grace Episcopal Church, Providence

Grace Church has been a cornerstone of downtown Providence for nearly two centuries. Founded in 1829, it made architectural history when it commissioned Richard Upjohn to design the current Gothic Revival structure, completed in 1846. This project was the first to feature Upjohn鈥檚 use of asymmetry in church design, marking a pivotal moment in American ecclesiastical architecture.

Music has always been central to Grace Church. In 1855, the Rev. Thomas March Clark brought on Lewis T. Downes as the first organist and choir director, launching a tradition of exceptional choral music that thrives to this day. The church鈥檚 tower bells, each bearing unique inscriptions from their donors, first rang out on Easter Day in 1861.

Just a short walk from the church is the Grace Church Cemetery, a historic site established in 1834. Here, you鈥檒l find a Gothic Revival-style caretaker鈥檚 cottage, completed in 1860, and the resting places of prominent figures like Rhode Island鈥檚 first Episcopal Bishop, John Prentiss Kewley Henshaw, and architect Russell Warren.

In 1912, a parish house was added to the church, linking it to the main building with a series of winding passages. This new space expanded the church鈥檚 ability to serve both its congregation and the wider community. While the neighborhood experienced tough times in the 1970s, the church, along with the city itself, saw a revitalization at the turn of the century.

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: Grace Episcopal Church
Sight Location: Providence, USA (See walking tours in Providence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Providence Introduction Walking 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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