Chepachet Union Church, located in the heart of the historic Chepachet village in Glocester, Rhode Island, warmly welcomes people from all walks and faiths. The church represents a "Union" of the Baptist and Congregational denominations, and is a member of both the American Baptist Churches USA and the United Church of Christ.

Historical Highlights

On March 11, 1846, Mr. Otis was ordained and installed as pastor of the Chepachet Congregation Church. The meeting house was dedicated on March 12, 1846.

In 1876, a tracker organ build by George Stevens of East Cambridge, MA, was installed with the financial help of Mr. Joseph Smith.

The stained glass window was given in 1884 in memory of Henry Clay White, a prominent businessman.

By 1920, there had been consideration given by the Baptist and Congregational congregations to unite, "to reach a sufficiently high plane of Christian living through religious work and worship in the community." In November 1920, both congregations approved and the Union Church of Chepachet was formed. Services were held six months of the year in each building; as the Congregational church had more efficient heat, services and activities were held here during the colder months.

In 1927, the Union Church members voted to support foreign missions equally through the two denominational (Baptist and Congregational) boards.

A Constitution and By-laws for Union Church were adopted in 1928.

The Rho Delta Club was formed in 1935 by members of a young women's Sunday School class. Their aim was "A Project a Month for the Church."

In 1951, The Glocester Evangelical Congregational Society turned its land and holdings over to Union Church and Union Church of Chepachet incorporated.

In 1956, the abutting 12 acres of land and buildings were purchased from Mrs. Benjamin F. Steere, Sr. for $18,000. The large residence was used as a Christian Education Center.

Groundbreaking for a new Education and Fellowship hall was held in October, 1962. The cost of the expansion was $180,000, and Henry H. Lewin, Inc. was to be the builder. In 1990, the Education Wing was named the Lewin Building in honor of Henry and his support of the church.

On November 21, 1971, a new organ, replacing the tracker organ installed in 1876, was used for the first time.

The Mortgage-Burning Celebration for the Education Wing and Fellowship Hall was held on October 29, 1978. Fellowship Hall was dedicated to George D. Greenhalgh.

In 1980, it was voted to seek an associate pastor whose focus would be the growing education program.

Renovation of the sanctuary was undertaken in 1989.

Peterson organ chimes were purchased in 1993, and in 1994 the belfry was refurbished and a Schulmerich Carillon was installed.

In 1996, Mr. Earl B. Bowen, Jr. honored the memory of his wife, Beverly Steere Bowen, by donating funds to replace the steeple which was lost in the 1938 hurricane.