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At the recent Annual RI Statewide Historic Preservation Conference, Pastor Emmett Goodridge welcomed the audience to Trinity United Methodist Church. His remarks, which reflect the commitment of many Rhode Island congregations to their historic houses of worship, are reproduced here. GREETINGS BY THE REVEREND EMMETT GOODRIDGE |
Good morning and welcome to Trinity United Methodist Church for this annual conference on historical preservation. The older I get, the more I seem to appreciate historic preservation!
This year and month, Trinity celebrates its 149th anniversary. Things were very different in 1859 when Trinity was organized.
In 1859, there was no Trinity Square. This was pastureland on the edge of Providence. Today, we are at the center of much urban action and renewal.
In 1859, America was close to the start of a civil war. Abraham Lincoln would become President 2 years later -- in 1861. This sanctuary building was completed in the year of his assassination, in 1865. The history of America would then begin to change in important ways – ways that allow me to stand before you today as Pastor of this great, historic church.
In 1859, there was no electricity, and no heating oil. No cars and no computers! Much later, electricity and oil would become plentiful and cheap. Today, just paying for light and heat threatens our survival as a congregation. It makes caring for this building, and our theater annex next door, very, very difficult.
Preserving what God has granted to us is serious business. Both of our buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We now need the help of the Community – and some of you here today -- to come up with new ideas and new solutions that are not too expensive, and that benefit the entire community. It’s a situation faced by many urban churches today.
We hope you will learn more about our preservation plans here at Trinity and find a way to support us. We now have 2 great architects -- both are here today -- and other dedicated planners on our team. We are excited about confronting these challenges, and especially the opportunity to work with different and diverse groups in the year ahead.
I hope you will have a very successful conference at Trinity. We are honored to host you. I also hope you will come back to visit us when we celebrate our 150th birthday next April. May God continue to bless the good work you do to keep HISTORY alive and meaningful here in Rhode Island.