Rhode Island is one of the oldest states in the country, which works out well for anyone who happens to be a history buff. From our tales of ghosts and vampires to our historic gems like this, the Ocean State is full of historic gems. In fact, the First Baptist Church in America happens to be located right here in Rhody, and it's as beautiful as ever.
The First Baptist Church in America is the First Baptist Church of Providence.
The towering church sits right on Main Street in Providence's College Hill neighborhood, and you really can't miss it.
This church was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1960, which is pretty fantastic.
This means you'll be able to visit this place for years to come.
First Baptist Church of Providence was founded by Roger Williams, the Puritan minister and founder of Rhody himself.
Williams was holding religious services in his home for nearly a year before he converted his congregation into a Baptist church in 1638. This barely followed the founding of Providence in 1636.
For the next 60 years, the church congregation would meet outside in nice weather or in congregants' homes.
But eventually, they realized they really needed a common gathering place.
The current church was constructed in 1774 and 1775, and it's still a magnificent structure to this day.
Weekly services are still held here when current conditions allow, and when the guided tours resume, they'll be held each Sunday following the service.
Check out the First Baptist Church in America the next time you find yourself in Providence.
And don't be discouraged. The website states "We are the First Baptist Church in America and we reserve the right to accept everyone."
Did you know America's first Baptist church is located right here in Rhody? Have you been to see it? We'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments!
You can also learn more about this gorgeous structure here.
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