Newport in Newport County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)

Historic Barney Street Cemetery

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 6, 2023

1. Historic Barney Street Cemetery Marker

Inscription.

Historic Barney Street Cemetery. . Site of First Catholic Church in Rhode Island 1828, Final resting place of many of Newport's earliest Irish residents., The oldest marked burial is 1830, the most recent 1853.. Although Rhode Island is well known for its religious freedom and separation of Church and State, Catholics (papists) were not welcome. The liberation of Newport by the Catholic French under General Rochambeau helped alleviate this prejudice and facilitated the assimilation of the Irish in Newport. At the direction of Bishop Fenwick, this property was purchased in 1828. A simple wooden building, originally constructed as a schoolhouse, stood nearby at the corner of Barney and Mount Vernon Streets. That small building would serve as the worship for Rhode Island's first Catholic parish. Fueled by the increased immigration from Ireland, the number of worshipers grew and a larger wooden church was constructed on this site in 1837 and dedicated to St. Joseph. The parish continued to grow during the Great Famine and soon outgrew the 1837 building, so plans were made to construct a larger, more grand permanent church., Vince Arnold (pictured in white shirt) led the restoration of this cemetery. His abiding interest in Irish history and culture inspired the founding of the Museum of Newport Irish History in 1996. In 1997, under Vince's leadership, the MNIH Board and volunteers from civic organizations and Salve Regina University restored this historic Interpretive Center opened in June 2011 and tells of the story of the Irish immigrants and their descendants in Newport County and the surrounding area from the Colonial era to the present. The Center is open seasonally and by request., An Irish architect, Patrick C. Kealy of New York City, was hired to design a beautiful Gothic Revival church, which still stands today at the corner of Spring and William Streets. Construction began in 1848 under the supervision of West Point graduate Lt. William Starke Rosencrans. Progress was slow, as some laborers, by day, were working at Fort Adams. The church was completed in 1852 and dedicated to the "Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle." As Newport's Irish population expanded, St. Joseph's and St. Augustin's churches were dedicated. In order to support the growing St. Mary's parish, a much larger Catholic cemetery was established on Kingston Avenue in 1861, rendering the Barney St. cemetery obsolete. St. Mary's church is on the National Register of Historic Places and was the site of the John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier wedding in 1953 and is one of Newport's most visited destinations.,

Evolution of the First Catholic Parish in Rhode Island 1828: Trevett "New Academy" schoolhouse (1809) repurposed as first Catholic church in Rhode Island. 1830: Father Robert Woodley expanded lot footprint through two land purchases. 1837: Larger wooden church built and dedicated to St. Joseph. In 1864 Irish immigrant Michael Butler purchased church and used boards to build house on Perry Street. 1848-1852: Cornerstone laid 1848; church dedicated 1852 to St. Mary "Our Lady of the Isle." 1962: This site, completely overgrown and neglected, was cleared in a community effort and headstones laid flat. 1997: Museum of Newport Irish History resurrected and restored headstones, installed fence and assumed role as caretaker.

Site of First Catholic Church in Rhode Island
1828

Final resting place of many of Newport's earliest Irish residents.

The oldest marked burial is 1830, the most recent 1853.
Although Rhode Island is well known for its religious freedom and separation of Church and State, Catholics (papists) were not welcome. The liberation of Newport by the Catholic French under General Rochambeau helped alleviate this prejudice and facilitated the assimilation of the Irish in Newport. At the direction of Bishop Fenwick, this property was purchased in 1828. A simple wooden building, originally constructed as a schoolhouse, stood nearby at the corner of Barney and Mount Vernon Streets. That small building would serve as the worship for Rhode Island's first Catholic parish. Fueled by the increased immigration from Ireland, the number of worshipers grew and a larger wooden church was constructed on this site in 1837 and dedicated to St. Joseph. The parish continued to grow during the Great Famine and soon outgrew the 1837 building, so plans were made to construct a larger, more grand permanent church.

Vince Arnold (pictured in white shirt) led the restoration of this cemetery. His abiding interest in Irish history and culture inspired the founding of the Museum of Newport Irish
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History in 1996. In 1997, under Vince's leadership, the MNIH Board and volunteers from civic organizations and Salve Regina University restored this historic Interpretive Center opened in June 2011 and tells of the story of the Irish immigrants and their descendants in Newport County and the surrounding area from the Colonial era to the present. The Center is open seasonally and by request.

An Irish architect, Patrick C. Kealy of New York City, was hired to design a beautiful Gothic Revival church, which still stands today at the corner of Spring and William Streets. Construction began in 1848 under the supervision of West Point graduate Lt. William Starke Rosencrans. Progress was slow, as some laborers, by day, were working at Fort Adams. The church was completed in 1852 and dedicated to the "Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle." As Newport's Irish population expanded, St. Joseph's and St. Augustin's churches were dedicated. In order to support the growing St. Mary's parish, a much larger Catholic cemetery was established on Kingston Avenue in 1861, rendering the Barney St. cemetery obsolete. St. Mary's church is on the National Register of Historic Places and was the site of the John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier wedding in 1953 and is one of Newport's most visited destinations.

Evolution of the First Catholic Parish in Rhode
By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 6, 2023

2. Historic Barney Street Cemetery Marker
Island
1828: Trevett "New Academy" schoolhouse (1809) repurposed as first Catholic church in Rhode Island.
1830: Father Robert Woodley expanded lot footprint through two land purchases.
1837: Larger wooden church built and dedicated to St. Joseph. In 1864 Irish immigrant Michael Butler purchased church and used boards to build house on Perry Street.
1848-1852: Cornerstone laid 1848; church dedicated 1852 to St. Mary "Our Lady of the Isle."
1962: This site, completely overgrown and neglected, was cleared in a community effort and headstones laid flat.
1997: Museum of Newport Irish History resurrected and restored headstones, installed fence and assumed role as caretaker.

Erected 2021 by The Lepley family as a dedication to the site and service of Stephen C. Lepley, a long-standing, beloved member of the Museum of Newport Irish History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Education • Immigration. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #35 John F. Kennedy series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 2011.

Location. 41° 29.353′ N, 71° 18.645′ W. Marker is in Newport

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, Rhode Island, in Newport County. Marker is on Mount Vernon Street north of Barney Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 Mt Vernon St, Newport RI 02840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Alfred Smith House (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Joseph's Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Touro Synagogue (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Touro Synagogue (about 400 feet away); Gideon Cornell House (about 400 feet away); The Letter from Moses Seixas (about 500 feet away); Charlotte Burleigh House (about 500 feet away); The Famous Letter by President George Washington (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 42 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.