Here are two sources for information on what records your congregation needs to keep and for how long.
The University of Rhode Island serves as the official depository of non-current and historical records of many of the Episcopal churches located in Rhode Island. In 1976, Bishop John Seville Higgins deposited the records of St. John’s Cathedral and the records of defunct Episcopal churches (which had been transferred to the Cathedral building) to the University of Rhode Island. Subsequently, other Episcopal churches have deposited their records at the University of Rhode Island on a voluntary basis.
You can see a list of what is filed there by downloading the Guide to the Records of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island 1715-1990. These records are housed at
University of Rhode Island Library
Special Collections and Archives Unit
15 Lippitt Road Kingston, RI 02881-2011
E-mail: archives@etal.uri.edu
Website: http://www.uri.edu/library/special_collections/
If you are a member of one of our churches and have a question about how to file your congregation’s materials, contact Mary Ann Mello at the Bishop’s Office or the URI Archives. The Manual for Business Methods provides guidance on what records should be retained.
Before beginning research, everyone is required to sign the “Research and Guest Register.” A Research Form must be completed if the researcher is using manuscript or archival collections. Collections are used under specific restrictions and may not be removed from the Reading Room area or borrowed from the collections. Permission may be granted to obtain photocopies of items in the collections. A fee is charged for this service and the copying is performed by the staff. Care must be exercised at all times when handling materials. Consuming food or beverages, smoking, and the use of pens are not permitted.
The following links give you a list of the records for each church listed below:
Christ Church (Lonsdale)
Mss.Gr. 95; 1833–1989; 4.5 linear feetChurch of the Advent (Pawtucket)
Mss.Gr. 175; 1886-2005; 8.5 linear feetChurch of the Ascension (Cranston)
Mss.Gr. 96; 1885–1990; 12.5 linear feetChurch of the Epiphany (Providence)
Mss.Gr. 227; 1873-2009; 3.5 linear feetChurch of the Good Shepherd (Pawtucket)
Mss.Gr. 197; 1872–1985; 4.75 linear feetChurch of the Messiah
Mss.Gr. 196; 1855-2006; 57.25 linear feetChurch of the Resurrection (Warwick)
Mss.Gr. 180; 1947-2001; 2 linear feetChurch of St. Andrew and St. Philip (Warwick)
Mss.Gr. 222; 1843-2006; 5 linear feetEmmanuel Church (Newport)
Mss.Gr. 228; 1877-2007; 30 linear feetEpiscopal Church Women
Mss.Gr. 99; 1875–1987; 8 linear feetEpiscopal Diocese of Rhode Island
Mss.Gr. 41; 1715–1990; 68.75 linear feet
Mss.Gr. 41.1; 1810-2003; 44 linear feetGrace Church (Providence)
Mss.Gr. 144, 1830-2005; 44.75 linear feetSt. Ansgarius (Providence)
Mss.Gr. 182, 1888-1974; 2 linear feetSt. George’s Episcopal Church (Newport)
Mss.Gr.211; 1833-2007; 23.25 linear feetSt. John’s Church (Barrington)
Mss.Gr. 101; 1858–1993; 16.5 linear feetSt. John’s Church/Cathedral (Providence)
Mss.Gr. 94; 1715–1990; 22.5 linear feetSt. John’s (Millville, MA)
Mss.Gr. 97; 1849–1985; 6 linear feetSt. Luke’s (East Greenwich)
Mss.Gr. 100; 1815-2001; 23 linear feetSt. Mark’s Episcopal Church (Warren)
Mss.Gr. 220; 1828-2010; 20 linear feetSt. Michael’s (Bristol)
Mss.Gr.. 185; 1718-1999; 59.25 linear feetSt. Paul’s Church (Pawtucket)
Mss.Gr. 106; 1816–1991; 27.75 linear feetSt. Peter’s and St. Andrew’s Church (Providence)
Mss.Gr. 87; 1891–1986; 10 linear feetSt. Stephen’s Church (Providence)
Mss.Gr. 98; 1833–1988; 17 linear feetTrinity Church (Pawtucket)
Mss.Gr. 107; 1847–1974; 4 linear feetTrinity Church (Bristol)
Mss.Gr. 179; 1955-1966; 1 linear foot
In the Episcopal Church each congregation serves as the primary record-keeper of its baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials. If you are looking for any of these records, please inquire first to the church where the sacrament was performed.
Parish and diocesan records from more than 30 years ago are stored in the Special Collections Department of the University of Rhode Island Library. For more information about the URI Special Collections Librarian, call them at 401-874-4632.
Looking for records from a church that has closed or merged? See the following list:
Church of the Messiah, Foster
Merger/Closing Date: 1994
Resurrection, Warwick
Church of the Advent, Pawtucket
St. Andrew’s & St. Philip, Coventry
Church of the Messiah, Providence
St. Martin’s, Pawtucket
St. George’s, Newport
St. Matthias, Coventry
St. Mary’s, Warwick
Church of the Epiphany, Providence
Calvary Church, Pascoag
