Slide Title
Preview

Description
First Baptist Church was founded by Roger Williams in 1638. The building that stands today on North Main Street was built between 1774 and 1775. This building shows Providence’s increasing wealth and power during this time period. John and Joseph Brown were responsible for the design of the church. It is an 80-ft. square building that blends two traditions together: the New England meeting house, and the Anglican parish church. The steeple derives from James Gibb’s 1728 Book of Architecture, Plate 30, an alternative design for St. Martin-in-the-Fields of 1726 in Trafalgar Square, London.
Creator 2 Dates
1733-1785
Creator 2 Role
architect
Creator 3 Dates
1716-1777
Creator 3 Role
master carpenter
Creator 4 Role
carpenter
Building Style
Neoclassical
Subject Headings
Historic buildings -- Rhode Island -- Providence; Religious architecture -- Rhode Island -- Providence; Architecture, Modern -- 18th century -- Rhode Island -- Providence; City churches -- Rhode Island -- Providence; First Baptist Church (Providence, R.I.); Architecture, Colonial -- United States -- 18th century.
Country Name
United States of America
Region Name
Rhode Island
City Name
Providence
Street Address
75 North Main Street
Recommended Citation
Brown, Joseph; Hammond, Jonathan; and Sumner, James, "First Baptist Church" (2011). Browse All. 113.
https://digitalcommons.ric.edu/smolski_images/113
Keywords
First Baptist Church; Joseph Brown; James Gibbs; St. Martins-in-the-Fields; Colonial architecture
Notes
Woodward, PPS/AlAri Guide to Providence Architecture (Providence, 2003), 23-25.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Baptist_Church_in_America