St. Paul’s has been on the Pawtucket scene since 1816, with none other than Samuel Slater (father of the American Industrial Revolution) as its first senior warden!
“We gather for worship, bible study and prayer so we can be fed and energized to feed the poor and help the homeless,” said the Rev. Greta Getlein, vicar. “We house the only no-freeze winter shelter in the Blackstone River corridor and maintain a small but mighty food pantry — giving out 50-70 bags of groceries each month. We love to feed people; in fact, most of our fundraisers revolve around food, and each Thanksgiving we cook a giant breakfast for our shelter guests and about 100 others.”
In partnership with House of Hope ACCESS-RI, the church houses a no-freeze winter shelter and raises money used to provide basic necessities to guests, such as boots, coats, underwear, and socks; to assist those who are in job training programs with the cost of those programs; and eventually to assist in down payments on apartments. “We love being part of God’s work in this old mill city and welcome anyone who wants to be part of that,” Getlein added.
St. Paul’s, 50 Park Place, Pawtucket; 401-728-4300; the Rev. Greta Getlein, vicar; Bishop’s visitation is March 3; website