Architecture ~ Union Congregational Church ~ Newport

Union Congregational Church
49 Division St.
Newport, Rhode Island

While visiting Newport a couple of summers ago, we passed a Gothic Revival church with a historic placard proclaiming it, "Union Congregational Church, built 1881, First Free Black Church in America."

I shot a photo of it and planned to look into it further.

I just stumbled across the photo again and did a little digging.

The original building was erected in 1783 by the Fourth Baptist Church. It was later purchased by the Union Congregational Church, a community of free African Americans. The first structure was demolished in 1871, and replaced with the Gothic Revival building that stands there now.

I haven't been able to figure out when it was deconsecrated, but it's now rental property for multiple tenants.

I'm fascinated by churches converted into residential space.