Christian Brethren of Pawtucket, RI
From BrethrenPedia
Pawtucket Gospel Hall, an open brethren assembly in Rhode Island has its roots in a Gospel series held in nearby Central Falls in the late 1800s. An assembly in Central Falls was formed soon after that. In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated one PB-II (OB) assembly in Providence Co., with 32 meeting in a rented hall with capacity of 100. which met in rented quarters in the Goodfellows' Hall on Dexter St. in Central Falls in 1904.
The Pawtucket Gospel Hall was opened April 9, 1916 at 412 Lonsdale Ave. 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 181 in fellowship (63 men, 118 women) including 12 S.S. teachers, presiding over 120 children (for a total of 301 in 1926). The Hall had a value of $15,000.
Note: It is presumed that when PGH opened in 1916, the assembly at Central Falls merged in with it. However, in a March 1928 issue of The Believer's Magazine, it reported on behalf of Central Falls, R.I.: "The Assembly here has grown that they may have to increase their hall to seat more than its present 500." And the 1929 volume of the same magazine has separate reports for Pawtucket & Central Falls.
In the mid-1970's, knowing that one out of every seven people living in south eastern Rhode Island and Massachusetts are Portuguese, T. Ernest Wilson contacted the Christians at Buttonwoods Bible Chapel about Carlos Cerqueira, who was forced out of Angola and seeking the Lord’s will for place of service.
John Farrell was able to arrange for his entrance into the country, along with a job among Portuguese-speaking people, and housing. The Pawtucket assembly offered their building for times when they were not using it. So, the Cerqueira family began their work of ministering to the Portuguese and establishing a Portuguese-speaking assembly. Pawtucket Gospel Hall turned over the property to the Portuguese Christians in mid-1981 where it continues today.
In its prime, the Portuguese assembly had more than 80 in fellowship, with over a hundred regularly attending, particularly from Brazilian heritage. As the meeting has aged, there are currently just over a dozen together.
Locations
- Goodfellows' Hall @ Dexter St., Central Falls +1904-1906+
- 412 Lonsdale Ave. 1916-current
Correspondents
- James Crawford +1922-1927+ (b. 1863 Northern Ireland)
- Carlos Cerqueira 1976-current
Articles
Also See
- Who's Who at Christian Brethren of Pawtucket, RI notable alumni
- Visiting Ministry at Christian Brethren of Pawtucket, RI ministry reports
Sources
- History of Some Assemblies of Christians in the U.S. & Canada by Robert L. Petersen & David Rodgers
- AAB's & ACM
