L'Église du Précieux Sang (also known as The Church of the Precious Blood (in French) is a historic
Roman Catholic church complex at 94 Carrington Avenue and 61 Park Avenue in
Woonsocket, Rhode Island, within the
Diocese of Providence
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence ( la, Dioecesis Providentiensis) is a diocese of the Catholic Church in the United States. The diocese was erected by Pope Pius IX on February 17, 1872 and originally comprised the entire state of Rhode ...
.
Description
; 94 Carrington Avenue
The church, a High Victorian Gothic polychrome (but predominantly red) brick structure, was designed by the
Worcester, Massachusetts architects
E. Boyden & Son. Construction began in 1873 and halted in 1875. It quickly resumed under a new pastor, but much of the building was destroyed in a severe storm in 1876. Rebuilding began soon after, and the building was finally dedicated in 1881. A rectory was built along with the church. Originally a
Second Empire style wooden building, it was remodeled in brick to designs by local architect
Walter F. Fontaine
Walter F. Fontaine (January 12, 1871 – September 21, 1938) was an American architect of French Heritage from Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
Early life
Fontaine was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts in 1871 to parents that had moved there ...
in 1917.
The church tower was originally only completed up to the third stage, and it remained so until around 1910, when it was completed to designs by Fontaine.
; 61 Park Avenue
In 1894–95, a convent and school, the Jesus-Marie Convent and Academy, was built at the corner of Park and Carrington. The architect is unknown, but the building is similar to other late designs by Boyden. The school was tripled in size in 1911. In 1927, a large chapel addition was built onto the convent, designed by Fontaine. At the same time, he designed a high school for the church on Greene Street. The site is now a parking lot. The complex had since been sold, and is now a senior housing development called Chateau Clare.
The church complex was added to the
National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Notable interments
*
Aram J. Pothier
Aram Jules Pothier (July 26, 1854 – February 4, 1928) was an American banker and politician of French Canadian descent. He served as the 51st and 55th Governor of Rhode Island.
Personal life
Pothier was born in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, the ...
,
Governor of Rhode Island
See also
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Catholic Church in the United States
*
Catholic parish church
*
Index of Catholic Church articles
*
National Register of Historic Places listings in Providence County, Rhode Island
*
Pastoral care
Pastoral care is an ancient model of emotional, social and spiritual support that can be found in all cultures and traditions.
The term is considered inclusive of distinctly non-religious forms of support, as well as support for people from rel ...
References
External links
National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
{{National Register of Historic Places
19th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in the United States
Churches in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
French-Canadian culture in Rhode Island
Churches on the National Register of Historic Places in Rhode Island
Roman Catholic churches completed in 1873
Buildings and structures in Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Churches in Providence County, Rhode Island
National Register of Historic Places in Providence County, Rhode Island
Cemeteries in Rhode Island