Bell Street Chapel
The Bell Street Chapel in Providence is a stunning French neoclassical temple built in 1875 for art dealer James Eddy. The design was created by architect William R. Walker. Eddy, a progressive who supported temperance, women’s rights, and abolition, dedicated the church “to God, to Truth, and to all that ennobles Humanity.” However, he couldn’t find anyone to lead a congregation based on his vision, leaving the church empty until after his death in 1888. The first service held there was Eddy’s memorial, led by Anna Garlin Spencer. She was Rhode Island’s first female ordained minister and a notable activist against misogyny, racism, and poverty. Today, the Unitarian Universalist congregation, led by Reverend Margaret Weis, continues the pursuit of social justice.