Our History

The history of Kingston Congregational Church goes back over 300 years when early colonists “purchased” land from the local Narragansett nation to settle in this region. Soon, the desire to form a worshipping Christian congregation was stirred and, through, several phases and two locations, evolved to become the congregation we now treasure. We acknowledge that our history is not always pretty. While we stood “on the right side of history” in some eras, we benefitted and profited from its wrongs, as well e.g. dislocation of indigenous communities, participation by members in the Atlantic slave trade and in the enslavement of human beings.

In celebration of our church sanctuary’s 200th year anniversary, Elizabeth McNab, whose father wrote “The History of the Kingston Congregational Church” is sharing a monthly series titled, “200 Years Ago!!!!

An Important Time in the Life of Our Church”. Enjoy reading the stories and details of how the church “meeting house” was constructed. KCC 200 Years Ago Article Series.

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Church Timeline

1668
Pettaquamscutt Purchase
The proprietors of the Pettaquamscutt Purchase, a tract of land acquired from the Narragansett and Niantic people in 1658, donated 300 acres of land for the support of “an orthodox person that shall be obtained to preach God’s Word to the inhabitants.”
Rev. John Woodward
Rev. John Woodward of Dedham, Massachusetts, began to preach at Tower Hill as a missionary supported by Massachusetts Congregationalists.

1695
1702
Land Donation
Judge Samuel Sewall of Boston donated one acre of land at Tower Hill “for the use of the inhabitants of …. Kingstown to build a Public Meeting House on.” Supported by land rent, Rev. Samuel Niles, first Rhode Island graduate from Harvard, became pastor.
Court Action
Rev. MacSparran, Church of England, began court action to gain the Ministerial Lands.

1723
1732
Rev. Joseph Torrey
Rev. Joseph Torrey ordained as pastor of the Tower Hill Church, served for nearly 60 years. Now church for the first time formally organized by the signing of the covenant.
Ministerial Lands
Claim of the Congregational Church to the Ministerial Lands, on appeal, upheld by the King of England in Council. County seat for Kings County moved from Tower Hill to Little Rest (now Kingston) where new courthouse (on site of present KCC church house) and jail were built. Tower Hill began extended decline.

1752
1791
Rev. Torrey Dies
Rev. Torrey died. Tower Hill church activities became intermittent.
Rev. Oliver Brown
Rev. Oliver Brown, missionary of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, preaches in Little Rest.

1819
1820
Presbyterian Society
Presbyterian Society in the Pettaquamscutt Purchase organized. In July church construction began on land donated by Elisha R. Potter. In October seven persons entered into covenant to establish the church.
Meetinghouse Dedicated
January 17: Meetinghouse dedicated. Ministerial lands authorized to be sold.

1821
1841
Condemning Slavery
Church adopted formal resolutions condemning slavery and intemperance.
Congregational Society
Name of PSPP changed to Congregational Society in the Pettaquamscutt Purchase.

1851
1857
Steeple Destroyed
Church steeple blown down in winter storm. Members Rowland and Margaret Hazard were dismissed to form Peace Dale Congregational Church. Rev. Oliver Brown, son of the first “Kingston” pastor, was now pastor of both churches.
Larkins Pond Baptisms
New members baptized in nearby Larkins Pond.

1869
1870
Lottery Condemnation
Church adopted a resolution condemning lotteries.
Village Library
CSPP managed village library and reading room. Transferred them to new corporation that was set up to acquire 1775 courthouse.

1872-1892
1877
Tower Clock
Tower clock given by Miss Carrie Watson and the Little Gleaners.
Church Incorporated
Church incorporated under state charter. In 1926, unincorporated church was dissolved. Since then the incorporated church and the CSPP, have existed.

1895
1899
Addition of South End
Addition to south end of church made to provide for new organ given by Herbert J. Wells. First floor room used for Sunday School and meetings. Organ dedicated July 29, 1899.
Welcome 20th Century
December 31, Watch Meeting Service held to mark close of Nineteenth Century.

1900
1907
Communion Cups
First year that individual communion cups used. Unfermented wine first used in 1878.
Church House Purchase
RI Conf. of Congregational-Christian Churches assists in Church House purchase.

1934
1950’s -1960’s
Growing Congregation
Two Sunday services held to accommodate the large attendance.
New Church Hall
New Church Hall dedicated to provide space for Church School and church functions.

1962
1977
Organ Installed
Organ installed. First organ had been installed in balcony under the steeple about 1874. A Wicks electric action organ, used 1950 to 1977, with the keyboard in the west balcony had replaced the 1899 organ.
Celebrating 300 Years!
The church celebrates its 300th year.

1995
2015
Open and Affirming
KCC officially became an Open and Affirming congregation by voting to affirm this statement: “We welcome into our community persons of every gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and physical ability, age, race, nationality, economic and social status, faith background, marital standing and family structure; and we invite all to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys of our congregation.” (Voted on and approved by the Congregation on May 17, 2015)
Rev. Jan Gregory-Charpentier
On November 1 Rev. Jan Gregory-Charpentier joined KCC as the full time minister during a time of online services due to the COVID pandemic.

In celebration of our church sanctuary’s 200th year anniversary, Elizabeth McNab, whose father wrote “The History of the Kingston Congregational Church” shared a monthly article series in the Spire titled, “200 Years Ago!!!! An Important Time in the Life of Our Church”.

2020
2021
Post Pandemic Services
June 6, 2021 first post-lockdown, in-person worship service held in over a year. Still masking while singing. Online access to worship proves popular and continues every Sunday.
Monthly Community Meal
Monthly free Community Meal begun and offered to wider community for “feeding bodies and souls with food and friendship.”

2022
2022
Dr. Enrico Garzilli Passes
Beloved, long-term Minister of Music, Dr. Enrico Garzilli, passed away “in office.” Interim, Eden Casteel is hired. Eden will go on to become permanent Minister of Music in early 2024.
Witness Stones
June 5 Installation of two “Witness Stones,” honoring the lives and contributions of Cuffey and Sylvia Torrey, enslaved citizens of Kingston. Cuffey Torrey was enslaved by first settled pastor of KCC, Rev. Joseph Torrey.

2023
2024
Staff Expansion
Staff expands to include the Rev. Cheryl von Ehrenkrook as Minister of Congregational Care. Eden Casteel is hired as permanent Minister of Music.
Land Acknowledgement
On June 1st, 2025, the congregation approved our Land Acknowledgment statement, acknowledging this church stands on the ancestral home of the Narragansett and Niantic people and committing ourselves to understanding our past and using our resources to support the community. For more information and to view our land acknowledgement statement, click here.

2025

Our Mission: Love First!

The Mission Statement of the Kingston Congregational Church is very simple: “Following Jesus, we will LOVE FIRST. Love God, love people, love the world.”

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KINGSTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
2610 Kingstown Rd., Kingston, RI 02881
Phone: (401) 783-5330
Email: office@kingstonucc.org

Our History

Church Timeline

1668

1695

1702

1723

1732

1752

1791

1819

1820

1821

1841

1851

1857

1869

1870

1872-1892

1877

1895

1899

1900

1907

1934

1950’s -1960’s

1962

1977

1995

2015

2020

2021

2022

2022

2023

2024

2025

Our Mission: Love First!

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