Episcopal Church. Diocese of Rhode Island

Episcopal worship in Rhode Island dates from 1635. The Colony relied on itinerant preachers until 1702 when the first Anglican church was built in Newport. Others followed soon after in Narragansett, Bristol and Providence. In 1790 the Diocese of Rhode Island was created with Samuel Seabury, Bishop of Connecticut, named Bishop of Rhode Island as well. Rhode Island would continue to share a bishop with one or more New England states until 1843. In 1929 St. John's Church in Providence became the Cathedral of St. John and the seat of the Diocese. The Diocese celebrated its bicentennial in 1990 with sixty-six parishes and more than sixteen thousand communicants in its fold. The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island continues to play a significant role in the religious, cultural and social life of the state.