A Lively Experiment

A Multireligious Historical Overview of Rhode Island



Photo © 2003 The Pluralism Project



Caption









The State of Rhode Island is famous for being the historical birthplace of American religious freedom, and it is also significant for its unique patterns of religious immigration from colonial times to the present. In addition to being the first state to institute religious free exercise and non-establishment, Rhode Island is home to the first Baptist church, the oldest synagogue, and the first Zen monastery in the country. This slide show presents an overview of Rhode Island's multireligious history, including Native Peoples', Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, and Interfaith communities. Omar Haque has profiled Rhode Island's Muslim communities.



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INDEX : 1-12 • 13-25 • All


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On College Hill in Providence, Rhode Island, stands a large statue of Roger Williams extending his hand in benediction over the City of Providence. An inscription on the monument's base reads: "Here reposes dust from the grave of Roger Williams." The steeple of the First Baptist Church in America, the congregation that Williams gathered, is visible below.