St. Ansgarius, Providence (Mss. Gr. 182)

Historical Information

St. Ansgarius Church evolved from the Swedish Mission in Providence. The parish was organized on Nov. 4, 1886, applied for admission into the union, and was admitted in 1891.

The Bishop's Address, 1891, from the Convention Journals of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island states "On the 6th of June, I laid the corner stone of the Swedish Church of St. Ansgarius. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. G. Hammarsköld, of New York, the Rev. P.A. Almquist, of Boston, and the Rev. Dr. Babcock, of Providence. Portions of the musical services were sung in the Swedish tongue. It we be remembered that we are indebted to the munificence of one of our liberal churchman [sic] for the erection of this much needed church and it is likely to be filled with a devout and earnest congregation. The Swedish work is assuming a prominent and important place in the Diocese. Regular services are held in connection with Trinity Church, Newport, and the services of a third clergyman are needed in order to carry on our Swedish mission in other places."

The Bishop's Address, 1892, from the Convention Journals of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island states "On the 9th of January I consecrated the Swedish St. Ansgarius Church, In Providence. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Charles H. Babcock. This beautiful and spacious church is the gift of one of our most liberal churchmen, whose praise is in all the churches, and it is already frequented by a large and most respectable congregation. The location of the church is admirable and the conformity of the architecture to the ancient type of Sweden gives it a special attractiveness. The Swedish movement in this Diocese bids fair to assume large proportions."

The Bishop's Address, 1894, from the Convention Journals of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island states "On the 28th of June I ordained to the Priesthood the Rev. Erik Forsberg, in St. Ansgarius' Church, Providence. He has now taken charge of this interesting Swedish work, with a fair prospect that the parish under his efficient and faith-auspices which arrested its progress in the beginning, and finds itself able to discharge at no distant day, the pecuniary obligations assumed by the vestry in order to secure thee timely consecration of the edifice."

The state of Rhode Island spent $16.5 million to purchase hundreds of homes and businesses, as well as two historic churches (First Swedish Baptist Church and St. Ansgarius Episcopal Church) that were located in an area slated for the construction of Route 95. St. Ansgarius Episcopal Church was razed in 1959.

Information for this historical note was taken from the Records of the Episcopal Diocese (1991) Collection, Series II, Box 21, Folders 76a and 78.