History

Historical Narrative of Christ Community Church May 2026

Preamble:

Here at Christ Community Church, we define “the church” as the members, the people. For example: “I am a member of the Church” In addition, “Church” is what we do on Sunday: worship God….“I am going to Church”  These two examples do not refer to a building. We are however, entwined with a physical meeting place which of course facilitates our weekly gatherings “at Church”.

The Church we know today had its humble beginnings in the year 1819. In those days, a Christian revival was underway in northeastern Rhode Island, emanating from The Greenville Baptist Church located in what was then Smithfield RI.

In that year, an itinerant preacher named Miss Clarissa Danforth arrived here and preached a sermon which stirred a number of citizens to begin attending church on a regular basis. The church was “The Smithfield Church”. It is not clear which one, as there were and still remain two churches in that locality, one in Chepachet, and one in Greenville, both nearby each other on current day Rt, 44.

Clarissa Danforth also pastored and preached in the Smithfield region in that era, specifically in the Free Baptist Church of Burrillville, founded in 1812. She was an associate of John Colby, who also preached here in Blackstone in 1817.

Due to the great distance from Blackstone, as well as continued growth, it was decided to initiate a church here in Blackstone Village. This culminated in the formation of “The Mendon Freewill Baptist Church of Christ” on October 30, 1822. In those days this region was known, up to 1845, as “Blackstone Village” in the town of Mendon. Handwritten upon page one of the original record document is:

 “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a Crown of Life”. Rev 2:10

In the early days, meetings were held in private homes, rented halls or schoolhouses.

Following the separation of Blackstone Village from the town of Mendon, the church was renamed “The Waterford Freewill Baptist Church”.

At the beginning of the 19^th century, textile industry arrived in Blackstone Village In those days , much of the work was done by individuals in homes and small workshops.

Around the year 1808, an actual central mill was constructed, and business began in earnest.. By the 1830’s and beyond, the Blackstone Manufacturing Company had increased greatly, and it was  decided to commence building community centered structures, including housing, a library, meeting halls, and schoolhouses. In 1836, the present church building was constructed.

The Freewill Baptist contingent agreed to move in by 1837. However, in 1841, the Baptists erected their own building on the corner of Main and Blackstone St, and moved into that building.

Coinciding with that event, a new church was formed, “The Blackstone Congregational Church”, which moved into the newly vacated building. In the following years, the Blackstone Manufacturing Company contributed greatly to building maintenance and financial support to the Church.

This went along until 1919, when the churches decided to join forces and Federate, becoming the “Blackstone Federated Churches”, holding separate business meetings and separate finances, but with a common pastor.

In the year 1927, during a severe thunder storm, the Church building on Main St was struck by lightning, and destroyed by fire. The building was replaced by a multi-function hall which, although no longer owned by the Church, remains standing today.

In the year 1935, Its business success having been reversed, the Lonsdale Co. (formerly The Blackstone Manufacturing Co.) transferred all of its church related real estate to the trustees of The Blackstone Congregational Church. This included the Parsonage across Mendon St.

The 1938 hurricane caused damage, as the church spire was dislodged, inverted and drove through the roof into the interior.

In 1946, the two churches officially incorporated, effectively ending the Federation, and renamed to “The Blackstone Federated Church”

In 1948, a fire ravaged the Church building, spreading from the organ area into the attic and beyond. Amazingly, the building was saved and.

It was not until 1999 that we adapted our current name “Christ Community Church of Blackstone” which more closely reflects our profile, as we had not been Federated for over 50 years.

Today, we continue with a small but dedicated congregation, meeting each Sunday, praising God, preaching and teaching the Word of God.