Union Church, historic church in Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Union Church is a church building and museum in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, now managed by the Portsmouth Historical Society. The structure dates to 1865 and houses a large pipe organ from Boston, along with furniture and displays related to poet and activist Julia Ward Howe in a dedicated room.
The congregation first met in private homes before building a larger structure in 1865 with help from Reverend William Miller. The church remained active for over a century until holding its final service in 1937, after which members donated the building to the Portsmouth Historical Society in 1939.
The church's name reflects the unity of members who came together intentionally to work as one community. Inside, visitors notice the simple wooden interiors and the antique pipe organ, which still stands as a reminder of the gatherings and music that once filled this space.
The building is easily located at the corner of East Main Road and Union Street in Portsmouth and is open during specific hours each week for visits. The interior is accessible, allowing visitors to explore the historic woodwork and organ up close, while the adjacent schoolhouse dating to 1725 adds to the site experience.
The organ housed in the building was purchased in 1903 from a church in Newport and originally came from Boston, making it a little-known treasure within this small museum. This antique musical instrument carries its own story of travels across Rhode Island and remains a functioning testament to the past.
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