Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church, Providence

Saint Stephen鈥檚 Church, established in 1839, began as a gathering of parishioners from neighboring churches who sought to create a distinctive community for worship and service. By the 1850s, the congregation welcomed members from Christ Church, an African American parish, making history as one of the earliest integrated Episcopal congregations in the United States. In 1862, the church settled into its current home on George Street, within the picturesque grounds of Brown University.

The church鈥檚 distinctive Gothic Revival design was the work of Richard Upjohn, a renowned Victorian Gothic architect. The structure鈥檚 soaring nave, intricate woodwork, and overall sense of grandeur perfectly embody this style. In the 1890s, a redesign of the chancel introduced a significant rood screen and an elaborately carved reredos, enriching the liturgical space. The stained glass windows, created by renowned studios like Tiffany, Charles Connick, and Charles Kempe, bathe the interior in colorful light.

No less impressive is the church鈥檚 tower, completed in 1900. Rising 93 feet into the sky, it鈥檚 topped with elegant pinnacles and a conical copper spire, while inside, a set of 15 tubular chimes fills the air with resonant tones. A closer look reveals even more details: perched on the third floor in a protective glass niche is a carved oak statue of Saint Stephen, the church鈥檚 namesake. Even the main doors make a statement: carved from oak, they feature figures of King Solomon, Saint Stephen, Saint Paul, and the Prophet Ezekiel.

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.

Download The 911爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

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

Brown University 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.

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

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

911爆料网