Architecture ~ First Universalist Church of Burrillville

First Universalist Church of Burrillville
134 Harrisville Main St
Harrisville, RI 02830

First Universalist Church, is one of only three Universalist (not Unitarian Universalist) churches left in the Ocean State. It was built in 1886 and originally sported a Victorian architectural style that was all the rage back then. In 1933, when Victorian architecture was too new to be antique but too old to be anything but out of style, local mill owner Austin T. Levy led the charge to transform Harrisville into a quaint colonial New England town, and that included funding to remodel the church. 

From the outside, it looks like a lateral move. Both styles have their charm.

Church Treasurer (and unofficial historian) Kerry Hopkins graciously gave me a tour.

The layout inside is simple. Up the stairs you'll find the pastor's office and sanctuary. Down the stairs are the restrooms and parish hall. 

Inside the church it's easy to see the difference the remodel made. The once deep and hand-painted Victorian sanctuary is much plainer. The introduction of an organ in 1925 had already sealed off the rounded area in the back. 

The barrel ceiling remains, as does the chandelier, but the hand painted detail is only there in that sealed-off space behind the organ. A few years ago an organ repair worker found their way into the back. 

They were able to take a few pictures that show what the details had looked like. With no light to fade the color, it's probably close to what it had been 99 years ago.

Downstairs, the renovation brought running water (and bathrooms) to the church. 

Down in the parish hall, you can still see the wires where curtains hung to separate the church school classes. Kerry fondly remembers attending Sunday School in the parish hall, and the community gatherings after church.

Our tour finished in the kitchen, another beneciary of indoor plumbing from the remodel. When I was there, the space was being used to store stock for an upcoming holiday bazaar.

Kerry's family has been involved with the church for generatorions. Her father, Ken Hopkins, has been the janitor since 1976, and still climbs into the clock tower once a week to wind the clock by hand.

Her Aunt Kathy had been the lay preacher at the church until her passing in 2016. Since then, the only regular service held in the sanctuary is the annual Candlelight Christmas service. The church also remains available for weddings, baptisms and funerals.

Since it opened its doors in 1886, its welcoming spirit and central location have made First Universalist a hub in the community. That continues today. Although there are no longer regular worship services, the church's doors remain open for yoga classes, open mic nights, and other activities. They maintain their participation in village events with booths and tables.

In December 2024, they're hosting events

Saturday, December 7th & 14th; 9am-3pm: Our annual Christmas Bazaar & Antique Sale will be held over 2 Saturdays. We will have Christmas décor, antiques and collectibles, penny social, yard sale items, delicious baked goods & more

Tuesday, December 17th @ 6:30pm: A Singing of Christmas Carols featuring Andrew J. Pariseau playing the historic 1925 pipe organ while those in attendance provide suggestions for the Christmas Carols we will sing. It’s an interactive, fun night of song for all ages and is free to attend.

Friday, December 20th @ 7pm:  The public is invited to experience a Candlelight Christmas service at the First Universalist Church of Burrillville. If you want to see the lighting of the historic chandelier you should arrive 20 mins early. All are welcome!

Kerry maintains an impressive record of the church's history. Many of the photographs in this post came from her notebooks. From its inception to opening, through the last 138 years of births, weddings, celebrations, and deaths, this church has seen its fair share of history. Notably, in 1897 it was the funeral venue for the Reynolds family - victims of an infamous triple murder. Kerry has these memories safeguarded in carefully organized notebooks, and is embarking on a more formal project. 

The church also has a newsletter that keeps folks up to date on the goings-on.

So, whether you're a history enthusiast, architecture lover, or just looking for a unique stop on your Rhode trip, the First Universalist Church of Burrillville is well worth a visit.