St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Warren (Mss. Gr. 220)

Historical note

On November 10, 1828, a group of 17 men from Warren, RI and Swansea, MA met with Rev. John Bristed, assistant minister of St. Michael's Church in Bristol, RI, in order to establish an independent Episcopal parish in Warren. Bristed served as their first spiritual leader and their first Sunday service was held in the parlor of the old Cole's Tavern on Main St. in Warren led by Rev. Bristed.

In 1829, a lot was purchased and Russell Warren (1783-1860), was chosen to design St. Mark's. Warren was the architect of the Arcade in Providence, RI and Linden Place, in Bristol. The same year, wardens and vestrymen were elected.

On July 15, 1830, St. Mark's Church was consecrated by Bishop Alexander Viets Griswold. In the same year the Rev. George W. Hathaway was made rector, and served St. Mark's for 21 years. In that same year, they installed their first organ. A parish library and parochial school were founded in 1845. Henry A. Pierce was its first superintendent.

The church grew very little in the next 20 years. Ministers came in rapid succession. The only accomplishment of note was the 1858 purchase of land across the street from the church for the parish house.

In 1873, Rev. William Ackley was called. He served St. Mark’s for 15 years as rector, and also served as Superintendent of Schools for the town of Warren for a number of years. In 1885, a fire damaged the interior of the church. The subsequent restoration was the initial design of Warren’s. In 1945, a hurricane weakened the bell tower and it had to be removed.

In 1885, a fire damaged the interior of the church. The subsequent restoration was the initial design of Warren's. In 1945, a hurricane weakened the bell tower and it had to be removed.

The Rev. Alva E. Carpenter came in 1889, and during his tenure the parish house was enlarged.

In 1902, Rev. Joseph Hutcheson became rector and was very active in the community. He is credited with establishing the first kindergarten to be maintained in the town of Warren. He was instrumental in the formation of the Warren District Nursing Association and the remodeling of the George Hail Free Library. While Rev. Louis P. Nissen became rector in 1914, and in 1921 the rectory was purchased.

The Rev. George M. Chaplin lead the church from 1969 till December 1989 (the longest period since St. Mark's first rector) and during his tenure, many of the programs in place at St. Mark's were established. During the late 1970s, a restoration and modernization plan was begun and continued with small projects throughout the early 2000's. In 1999, Rev. Joan Lyon McShane became the rector of St. Mark's. She retired from the church in 2001. St. Mark's went through a succession of supply rectors until their financial problems caught up to them and inability to expand their parish and they closed in 2010.

Rectors List:

• George W. Hathaway - 1830-1851
• John Maxey - 1851-1855
• John Peck - 1855-1857
• William Miles - 1857-1890
• Leander Manchester - 1890-1896
• William Ackley - 1873-1888
• Alva E. Carpenter - 1889-1892
• Joseph Hutcheson - 1902-1914
• Louis P. Nissen - 1914-1921
• Frederick Steenstra - 1923-1927
• Charles H. Temple - 1927-1931
• Leonard B. Rasmusson - 1931-1945
• Arthur M. Dunstan - 1945-1957
• Harrington M. Gordon - 1957-1960
• Lynde E. May - 1960-1965
• Robert Winter - 1965-1968
• George M. Chaplin - 1969-1989
• Guy Fouts - 1990-1991
• William C. Thomas - 1992-1994
• Harlan Bemis - 1995-1997
• Richard Faxon - 1998
• Joan Lyon McShane - 1999-2001
• Edward Gammons - 2002
• Aaron Usher - 2003
• James L. Verber - 2004-2010