Taken from Historic and Architectural Resources of West Warwick, Rhode Island: A Preliminary Report. By the RI Historical Preservation Commission. Pages 69-70 copyright 1987
ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH (1844-45)
A relatively simple one story, end gable roof, shingled building with a three story, hip roofed, 12 foot square, 45 foot high central fore tower containing lancet-arch, louvered windows and a central entry. Stained glass windows are on the sides. The building is on a terrace behind a four-foot high random course stone wall along the sidewalk. The eight and three-quarter acre lot includes a heavily altered rectory to the right of the church; at the rear is a large parish cemetery (West Warwick Historical Cemetery Number 8) In 1844, Paul Doran, an English block printer employed at Crompton, and his wife Mary, gave a one- acre lot on the hillside overlooking the valley and village below to the church. A 35-by-50 Foot building was begun in 1845 to Our Lady of Mount Carmel; it was the first Roman Catholic Church in the Pawtuxet Valley. In 1849, a cemetery was established behind the church. Crompton was a Providence mission church until 1850, when it was set off as St. Mary's parish. Following a short term of service by Rev. Daniel Kelley, Rev. James P. Gibson became pastor; he served until his death in 1892. Under Rev. Gibson and additional seven and three quarter acres were acquired. The land was enclosed with a stone wall, a school and a library were added, and additions were made to the church. In 1856, the chancel was extended to the east, and north and south transepts were added, giving the church the form of a Roman cross. The tower was added in 1859.
Because the congregation was largely Irish, the church was known as the Irish Church. Beginning in the 1860s. A large influx of French Canadians swelled the number of parishioners beyond the capacity of the church. As a consequence, Rev. Gibson helped to establish St. John the Baptist Church in Arctic. Father Gibson was also instrumental in founding other churches in the Pawtuxet Valley--St. James, St. Joseph, and SSTs. Peter and Paul--earning St. Mary's the additional title of "Mother Church of the Valley." Following Father Gibson's death in 1892, St. Mary's again became a mission church; it returned to parish status in 1942. A destructive fire in 1926 resulted in interior renovations, which were completed in 1927. Another renovation of the interior, under the architect Zane Anderson, started in 1977 and was completed in 1981, at which time the church was rededicated.
St. Mary's Church, is the oldest extent Catholic Church building in the state. A fine example of vernacular Gothic Revival ecclesiastical site high above Crompton Village, with its old, tranquil parish cemetery at the rear, lends it additional visual impact and importance.
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