Historic Walking Tours of Narragansett Pier
St. Peter's By-the-Sea
72 Central Street
The first Episcopal church at the Pier was a wood-frame structure erected on this site in 1869
and destroyed in the September gale of that year. The present edifice, designed by Edwin L.
Howland of Providence, was begun in August 1870, and the sanctuary was consecrated in August
1874. The porch was added in 1879, and the three-story side tower was erected by Mrs. Samuel
Welch of Philadelphia in 1889 as a memorial to her husband. Local tradition ascribes the design
of this tower to Stanford White, but this attribution has not been substantiated.
Saint Peter’s originated from a series of prayer meetings held by early vacationers at the Pier, and
the construction of the church edifice was funded by contributions from many prominent
summer residents.
The church possesses some stained glass windows that are both artistically and historically
noteworthy, including one in memory of Winnie Davis, daughter of Confederate president Jefferson
Davis, and a bronze relief cast by noted sculptor Florence Kane.
Former Saint Peter’s Rectory 1879-1880: A 2˝-story, hip-roofed frame dwelling built to serve as
the rectory of Saint Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church. It has a gabled front pavilion with a
cove cornice over the front entrance and a side door hood with curved supporting members.