Humble Origins

In 1962, Monsignor Murray and two parish trustees, Dr. Vincent MacAndrew and Sylvester Pezzullo, convened a meeting to discuss the building of a new church, school, library, auditorium and convent on the 8.5 acres of land that the parish had acquired. The initial project was wide in scope and after a few years of delay, compounded by a rapid increase in construction costs, it became evident that the budget would now only cover the cost of a new Church.

In June of 1964, Msgr. Murray left his post as Chancellor of the diocese to devote all his energies to the needs of our parish. Oresto DiSaia was contracted to be the architect for the new church and Louis Armento was chosen to be the interior liturgical consultant. A door-to-door campaign was held under the direction of Raymond J. McEnerney. The generosity and spirit of self-sacrifice behind this campaign allowed the parish to move forward with its plans for the new church.

The first Mass was celebrated in the new church, though unfinished, on Palm Sunday in April 1968. It was on June 30, 1968, that our new church under the patronage of the Mother of God was blessed and a Pontifical Mass was celebrated. The Most Rev. Russell J. McVinney, Bishop of Providence, presided over the ceremonies and the music was supplied by the seminary choir under the direction of Ronald E. Brassard. Encased in the cornerstone are the following items which someday will be looked at by individuals in the far distant future: a Project 20 card, a church bulletin, coins, a copy of the parish Charter and the minutes of the first Corporation meeting.

Immaculate Conception now serves over 7,500 parishioners. A new Catholic school was opened on the same grounds in 2009, the first new Catholic School to be built in Rhode Island in over 40 years.