A Lively Experiment in Following Your Faith

When Roger Williams founded Providence in 1636, he envisioned a community where people could freely exchange ideas and practice their faith, calling it a “lively experiment.”

Nearly 400 years later, Williams’ dream continues to thrive. The Providence of today features vibrant neighborhoods, great restaurants and plenty to see and do, but still celebrates faith of all kinds. Hold your next event in the birthplace of religious freedom in America — Providence, RI.

First Baptist Church

The oldest Baptist church congregation in the United States was founded by Roger Williams in 1638. Worshiping first in private houses and later in austere meeting houses, the Baptists made a new and bold move in erecting this magnificent building in 1775, a period when Providence enjoyed economic success. The largest surviving wooden structure from Colonial America, it combines the simple hall of a traditional New England meeting house with the most fashionable English architectural features, such as the steeple, modeled after a version of the one at St. Martin in the Fields (1724), on Trafalgar Square in London, by architect James Gibbs. Brown University, founded as a Baptist college, has held its annual commencement in the church every year since 1776.

First Unitarian Church (ca. 1818)

A masterpiece by Providence architect John Holden Greene, the Federal-style building has classical arches and urns combined with soaring pointed Gothic style windows with delicate tracery decoration. Originally the First Congregational Church, the congregation became associated with the Unitarian movement and eventually changed its name.

Touro Synagogue

Touro Synagogue, dedicated in 1763 and designated a National Historic Site in 1946, is the oldest synagogue in the United States. It is a structure of exquisite beauty and design, steeped in history and ideals and considered one of the most architecturally distinguished buildings of 18th century America. In 1790, President George Washington set the standard for religious freedom in America by declaring in a letter "To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport," that the new nation would give "to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance." Tours include a half hour seated presentation in Touro Synagogue and two floors of interactive exhibits in the Loeb Visitors Center. Due to the pandemic, our program has been modified from previous seasons. While both Touro Synagogue and the Loeb Visitor Center buildings will remain closed, our program will run outdoors through Patriots Park with guides presenting the history of Touro Synagogue to visitors. The Touro Synagogue grounds are open to the public, Sunday through Friday, from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm (weather permitting). Tours will be running every half-hour starting at 11 am with the last tour running at 1:30 pm. Synagogue history presentations will be given outdoors and will be limited to a maximum of 15 people at a time. Entry fees are waived but donations are gratefully accepted. Please note: Masks are mandatory and social distancing will be enforced. There are no public bathroom facilities on-site, as the Synagogue and Loeb Visitors Center remain closed.