The 1820s were tough times for Newport. No longer was the harbor the international entrepôt
that it had been during the colonial era. The mills along Thames Street were yet to be built and
summer visitors were scarce. Yet, in 1828 Benedict Fenwick, Bishop of Boston, procured a lot of
land with a schoolhouse on Barney Street in Newport, thus creating Rhode Island's first Catholic
Church. There is a great deal of mystery and controversy surrounding this schoolhouse/church but
the church and the individuals that worshiped in it, would inevitably change the course of Newport
History.
With the help of sacramental records, contemporary newspapers and genealogical sources, we will
attempt to shed some light on the early history of the Newport Irish community
STEVE MARINO taught history in Connecticut for 35 years and retired to Newport. He has been giving tours at
Fort Adams since 2008. He is also on the Board of the Museum of Newport Irish History. Steve holds degrees from
Williams College, Brown University and the Hartford Seminary. This is Steve’s third presentation to our
membership.
Recorded from his Zoom presentation on September 24, 2020.
Please visit www.NewportIrishHistory.org to learn about our lecture series and access all of our online resources. …...more
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