College Hill in Providence in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)

The Prophet of Religious Freedom

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 19, 2018

1. The Prophet of Religious Freedom Marker

Inscription.

Forced worship stinks in God's nostrils.
Roger Williams, in a letter to Connecticut
Governor Thomas Prence (1670)

The steeple in front of you is the First Baptist Church in America, gathered by Roger Williams in 1638. Williams was deeply religious, but adamant in his belief that religious and civil life should be separate. Raised and ordained in the Church of England, Williams and his wife, Mary, fled with other Puritan reformers to New England in 1631. After settling in Massachusetts Bay Colony, his separatist views threatened colonial leadership, and he was banished.

Williams founded a new community called Providence. Here, he insisted that civil rather than religious law would govern and that "all were free to walk as their conscience persuades them." Williams's legacy lives on in the Rhode Island Charter and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

[Background illustration caption reads]
Although a devout Christian, Williams eventually denounced formal religion, preferring instead small, home-based meetings for preaching and religious fellowship.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1638.

Location. 41° 49.74′ N, 71° 24.593′ W. Marker is in Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It is in College Hill. It is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 44) and Court Street, on the left when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Providence RI 02903, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Roger Williams National Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Channeling Progress (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Meeting Street School (about

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 19, 2018

2. The Prophet of Religious Freedom Marker

Looking south along Main Street, with The First Baptist Church in America steeple in distance.

300 feet away); a different marker also named The Meeting Street School (about 300 feet away); Aquene. Eniskeetompowaug. (about 300 feet away); Shakespeare's Head (about 300 feet away); Court and State House (about 400 feet away); College Hill Historic District (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Providence.

Other markers no longer nearby. A Changing Nation (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Gone From Hence (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Roger Williams. Roger Williams National Memorial website entry (Submitted on August 26, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

2. Roger Williams ... A Brief Biography. Roger Williams Family Association website entry (Submitted on August 26, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 722 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.