The following paragraphs are excerpted from "A History - St. Mary's Parish, Newport"; which is available from the Parish Office.

 

 

Father James Fitton wrote in 1844 at the beginning of the church's baptismal register, "St. Mary's congregation started with Ft. Adams. " It was, in fact , the discovery by an emissary of the Bishop of Boston of the numerous Catholics working at the fort which prompted the Bishop to assign Father Robert Woodley to Newport to found a congregation. On April 8, 1828, Father Woodley purchased land and a building on Barney St. , the remolded building to be used as a church. This was the first property held in the name of the Catholic Church in Rhode Island, the land still remaining the property of the diocese. Its purchase marked the origin of the parish now known as St. Mary's.

The original building soon proved too small. Five years later, in 1833, a new church was constructed and dedicated to St. Joseph.

In 1847, the need for a still larger church was recognized. The land on Spring St. was purchased and construction was begun on the present church. This church was dedicated to The Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle.

The Beginnings

Original Design

 

In 1828, Bishop Fenwick assigned newly ordained Father Robert Woodley to investigate the feasibility of founding a church somewhere in Rhode Island. Because of the enthusiasm of its people, Newport prevailed as the most advantageous location. In November of 1828, the church was consecrated and the Parish established. Father Woodley's pastorate, which lasted three years, included Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, and the entire state of Connecticut.

Between 1830 and 1845 the Catholic community declined. Lack of appropriations had halted the construction of Ft. Adams, causing the laborers to seek employment elsewhere. The introduction of rail service caused a decline in the importance of Newport as a sea port.

By November of 1846, the Catholic community of Newport began to increase once again. Mass was said every Sunday instead of once a month. On February 2, 1847, Father James Fitton, purchased or four thousand dollars, the land on Spring Street where St. Mary's Church now stands. The eminent Patrick C. Keely of Brooklyn, America's first Catholic church Architect drew the plans. Work began on August 7, 1848, with the men of the parish each volunteering at least one day's labor to help dig the "trenches".

The following paragraphs were written on parchment and deposited in the cornerstone of the church, which was laid by Bishop John Fitzpatrick of Boston:

"To the Honor and Glory of God: this church was commenced on August 7, 1848, in the two hundred and ninth year of the settlement of Newport, when the members of the Catholic Church numbered five hundred and eighty-six souls, out of a whole population of about nine thousand.

The trenches having been dug by voluntary and cheerful hands, the first stone was laid August 15th, and the foundation walls were commenced the day following. This cornerstone was laid June 14, 1849, under the pontificate of His Holiness Pius IX, an exile at Gaeta, with the approbation of the Right Rev. William Tyler, Bishop of the Diocese of Hartford, which embraces the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island, in the seventy-fourth year of American Independence, during the administration of Zachary Taylor, President of the United States, Henry B. Anthony being Governor of the State of Rhode Island, and Rev. James Fitton, pastor of the Catholic congregation at Newport. At an eventful period, when the continent of Europe is being revolutionized by wars and the overthrow of thrones, when many, notwithstanding earth is but a pilgrimage in which men, in consequence of original sin, have been condemned to eat their bread in the sweat of their brow, are, after six thousand years that it has produced its thorn and thistles, attempting, they say, to ameliorate the condition of society and under the name of Socialism, Fraternity, &c., about to render earthly home an Eden! Time will tell the result, and some future generation, who will read this, will, it is hoped, profit by the admonition."

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

The church was dedicated on July 25, 1852, by Bishop Bernard O'Reilly, under the patronage of the Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle. It is of second period Gothic architecture, and one of the most beautiful edifices in all of New England.