College Hill in Providence in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Former site of the Bethel A.M.E. Church
1866 - 1961
Beginning as a free mission in 1795, members met in the African Meeting House before purchasing this lot in 1820. The services were held in the homes of the members for over 40 years. In 1866, the church was built on Meeting Street and served for 96 years as a place of continuous worship.
Erected by Rhode Island Black Heritage Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1795.
Location. 41° 49.743′ N, 71° 24.123′ W. Marker is in Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It is in College Hill. It can be reached from Meeting Street just west of Thayer Street, on the left. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 185 Meeting Street, Providence RI 02906, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley and on Narragansett Bay. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Pembroke College Tribute (within shouting distance of this marker); The Brown Bear (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hope College (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brown University Slave Trade Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Official Residence of the President of Brown University (approx. 0.2 miles away); Indomitable (approx. 0.2 miles away); University Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Congdon Street Baptist Church (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Providence.
More about this marker. This marker is a stop along the Rhode Island Afro-American Heritage Trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2010, by Krystal Appiah of Providence, Rhode Island. This page has been viewed 1,794 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 2, 2010, by Krystal Appiah of Providence, Rhode Island. 2, 3. submitted on June 11, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Historical photographs of Bethel A.M.E. Church. • Can you help?


