Joyful Experiment

A History of St. Augustine's Chapel
Kingston, Rhode Island
(A. D. 1954-1994)

As a joyful and inspired experiment, St. Augustine's Chapel, an Episcopal diocesan mission on the campus of Rhode island's state university, was both begotten and made. It was begotten in 1954 in the minds of the diocesan College Work Commission (as it was then called), of the bishop, the Rt. Rev. John Seville Higgins, and of the archdeacon, the Very Rev. William Kite. It was made by hundreds of devoted Christian churchmen and women, lay and clerical, including initially the Very Rev. Darby Betts, dean of the Cathedral of St. John, in Providence, and A. Livingston Kelly of the Old Stone Bank, a generous benefactor.

It had long been considered that Christian ministry in the Anglican tradition should be extended to the students, faculty, and staff at the State College, which in 1950 was authorized to change its title and status to University. Since the 1920's pastoral care had been given to the Kingston campus by rectors of Wakefield's Church of the Ascension, including John Wyatt, a future bishop, followed by Carl Richardson and Hebert Bolles. By 1950 increased emphasis on this campus ministry seemed warranted. In 1953, to test the need, Father Bolles enquired in a letter to Episcopalians in the Kingston area whether they would be willing to support a chapel and student center on are near the URI campus, to serve both the University and local residents. The response was decidedly favorable.

The moment of birth occurred in the autumn of 1954, when the Rev. W. Kilmer Sites, vicar of St. John's, Saunderstown, and first Episcopal chaplain at URI, was directed to find a suitable plot of land near the center of the campus. A vacant lot at the corner of Bayberry and Lower College Roads seemed promising. Accordingly, on a memorable and propitious moonlit night on October 13, the College Commission, led by the rector of Grace Church, Providence, the Rev. Dr. Clarence ("Jack") Horner, and the Episcopal chaplain at Brown University, the Rev. Sam Wiley (another future bishop), met at URI's Memorial Union for supper, then trooped down to inspect the site.

Other members present were Katherine Irwin of Pembroke College; the Rev. Charles W. Wilding, rector of St. Martin's, Providence; George Williams, former Naval Aide to President Harry Truman; James Brown of Providence; R. P. Sorlien, assistant professor of English at URI; and (as an invited guest) Dr. T. Stephen Crawford, dean of URI's College of Engineering, and organist-choir master at Ascension, Wakefield.
Although they found the lot overgrown with brush, weeds, and bullbriars, they agreed unanimously that "This is the place."

A Brief History of St. Augustine's Church, Kingston

by Robert (Sparks) Sorlien

St. Augustine's Church was both begotten and made. It was begotten in 1954 in minds of the diocesan College Work Commission, of the bishop, the Right Reverend John Seville Higgins, and of the archdeacon, the Very Reverend William Kite. It was made by dozens and later hundreds of devoted Christian churchmen and women, lay and clerical.
The diocese had long considered that Christian ministry in the Anglican tradition should be extended to the students, faculty, and staff at Rhode Island State College in Kingston. Since the 1920s the rectors of Wakefield's Church of the Ascension had served the campus in Kingston. By 1950, when the State College changed its title and status to university, increased emphasis on this campus ministry seemed warranted.

Moment of Birth

The moment of birth occurred in the autumn of 1954, when the Rev. W. Kilmer Sites, vicar of St. John's, Saunderstown, and first Episcopal chaplain at the University of Rhode Island, was directed to find a suitable plot of land near the center of the campus. A vacant lot at the corner of Bayberry and Lower College roads seemed promising. Accordingly, on a memorable moonlit night in November, the College Commission met at URI's Memorial Union for supper, then trooped down to inspect the site. Although it was overgrown with brush, weeds, and bullbriars, they agreed unanimously, with the Holy Spirit, "This is the place."

Consecration of Chapel

By September 1956, Canterbury House, a modified Tech-Built structure with its chapel of St. Augustine on the upper level, had been constructed and consecrated. Our first vicar and chaplain-- the hero of the enterprise, Father Sites--led a large group of "Canterbury Club" students in services and social meetings. He was succeeded by the Rev. Bayard W. Hancock, the first occupant of the newly constructed vicarage. During "By's" tenure a lively and provocative Adult Discussion Group took shape, and Mrs. Hancock led St. A.'s outreach to the residents of the depressed shanty town on Sand Turn Road in West Kingston. Thus began St. A.'s traditions of providing opportunities for inquiry and ministry.

Academic Involvement at URI

Our next vicar, the Rev. Everett H. Greene, effected close identification of the chaplain and the university by his official participation in its academic-administrative committees and in joint programs with the Christian Association. Chaplain Greene articulated the purpose of St. A.'s when he wrote, "The Episcopal Church at the University of Rhode Island is the means whereby the Christian witness can take place on our campus."

The Hall Years

Building on this foundation, St. A.'s fourth vicar and chaplain, the Rev. John Hall, gradually, during a twenty-four year period (1965-89), inspired, cajoled, and united our church family into a lively, active, expanding congregation devoted to Christian outreach, concern for peace and social justice, and individual growth in the Spirit. His wife, Mary B, shared many talents with the parish, most particularly her gift for music in her conducting of the choir and her leadership of the folk mass music group.

"Anglican Levity" and Good Works

These pastors and a succession of ordained assistant vicar/chaplains have contributed to the spirit of fun that has marked the worship and other activities of St. A.'s. This tone of relaxed informality--aptly described as "Anglican levity" ( in the best sense of the term)--has enhanced the loving faith and togetherness of St. A.'s family. Perhaps typical of such humor is the deliberate ambiguity in naming this church for both St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Augustine of Canterbury.
Over the years, as part of our campus ministry, Canterbury House has served as theater, coffee house, food co-op, classroom, nursery school, meeting place for student groups and AA, shelter for the homeless, and center for counseling and Bible study. We housed the local Lutheran church during its formative years, are hosting the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County, and have sometimes hosted the local Jewish congregation during Passover. We have enjoyed a close personal relationship to our sister church in the Dominican Republic.

A New Church Building

In the 1980s, it became clear that to accommodate our continuing growth, the space for worship and other activities had to be doubled or even tripled. The result was a successful six-year pledge drive to finance a new church building, which was constructed adjacent to Canterbury House. Members of the congregation stained the beams and the floor and did the necessary painting. This post-and-beam edifice, lovely in its spacious simplicity, was consecrated by Bishop George Hunt on November 6, 1983, a bag-piper leading the traditional procession.
The Rev. John Hall moved on to other ministries in the Diocese of Rhode Island at the end of 1989. The Rev. Persis Williams, formerly associate vicar and chaplain, served as interim pastor.

The 1990s

In September, 1991, the Rev. Norman MacLeod began his ministry as vicar and chaplain, joined in 1994 by the Rev. Jean Olsen, who serves as deacon. The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Nestor, a former assistant, has also become associated with the parish again, although she works full-time as an emergency physician. In 1995, the Rev. Gail Wheelock rejoined the St. A's community in her role as a chaplain at URI.
St. Augustine's undertook a capital campaign in 1995 to raise funds to renovate the downstairs part of the original building, known as Chapel Hall. The campaign yielded $30,000 in pledges. This effort, combined with a $15,000 grant from the diocese, funded the needed work in Chapel Hall. The new kitchen, 95 per cent complete, and the meeting room will be dedicated today. This work was accomplished under the leadership of Senior Wardens Ann Dunham (1992-1996) and Zeke Olsen (1996-present), and Junior Wardens Bob Richardson (1992-1995) and Fran Noring (1995-present).
With the first official visit today of the Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolf, the parish celebrates All Saints' Sunday, five Baptisms, twenty-one Confirmations, a renewed Chapel Hall and forty years of consecrated ministry on this spot.

During the forty year development of this lively missionary experiment what Bishop Higgins was fond of calling his "Diocesan Peculiar"), St. A's has provided solace for and equipped for service its parishioners and members of the university and general community. It has been a house of prayer for all people of all backgrounds and ages.

(Adapted and expanded from the 1991 Parish Profile by Leslie Olsen.)

In July of 1997, Norman MacLeod left St. A.'s to become the Rector of Christ Church in Guilford, Connecticut. The church is now in an interim period, a time in which we will define who we are as a parish and where we are going. This self-study process will hopefully guide us in choosing a new vicar for our future. Our interim vicar is John Dyson Cannon, who came to us Dec. 1 and will be with us throughout the year as we continue the self-study and search process.

(Adapted and expanded 1/98)

The Care of Children and Youth at St. Augustine’s Church

Principle:

Every child is precious to God. We believe in providing a safe, nurturing environment for the physical and spiritual growth of children and youth. Children are entrusted to the whole church community by God for our mutual care and learning.

Policies:

Nonviolence is a value of this congregation. Physical violence by either adults or children, is unacceptable at St. Augustine’s. All adults of the congregation share the responsibility for intervening to prevent such violence.

Trust and safety are greatly valued at St. Augustine’s. It is the work of every member to help keep children safe at church. Any suspicion of sexual or physical abuse or misconduct toward children or youth by staff or parishioners should be brought to the immediate attention of the Vicar and the Senior Warden, and reported appropriately to the police.

As a prudent measure, for everyone’s safety, and to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, no adult should be alone in a closed room, car, or the church building with a child or children not in their guardianship. Two or more adults should be present with children.

We believe good information promotes safety and trust. Sunday school teachers and youth leaders and clergy are required to take the diocesan sexual abuse prevention training. This is recommended also for teachers and all who work with children.

We understand Christian education as a partnership between the family and the church. Parents are welcome and encouraged to drop into child care and classes at any time to check on their children.

We wish parents and others to be alert and aware of children’s surroundings. Parents should bear in mind that, despite no trespassing signs, passers-by cross our grounds often. There is a stream and a busy road abutting church property. Building doors are often unlocked. Therefore, we do not believe it is advisable for children under the age of seven to be left to play unsupervised in a church room or on the grounds.

We believe it is the work of the whole congregation to help children be at home and welcome in worship. Small noises and disruptions of worship by children, (like the noises and disruptions of worship by adults,) are material for our prayer and not for scolding of children or parents, and are best helped by comfort, distraction, or when needed, very gentle verbal discipline. Children are full members of the church from their baptism on, and are not only welcome but encouraged to receive Holy Communion regularly.

For Health & Hygeine:

We care for the health of bodies as well as spirits. Parents: if your child has a food allergy or other health problem, please be sure child care workers and teachers are aware of it. Workers and parishioners: please check ingredient labels on all foods & beverages. Avoid bringing food with nuts or nut oils, and please add a list of ingredients to home-made food. Be aware that even minute quantities of some allergens such as peanuts can be deadly. Do not give candy to children without parents’ okay.

We ask members working with the children to assist in maintaining reasonable hygiene in child areas. Washable toys belonging to the church should be put through the dishwasher or cleansed with soap and hot water at least monthly, and anytime they have been in a child’s mouth. Toys that present a choking risk for toddlers should not be left in the nursery area within the reach of small children. The crib should be wiped down with soap and hot water after each use.

7/11/02