History of Saint Eugene Parish
Saint Eugene Parish in Chepachet, R.I., was established on September 11th, 1956, by Most Reverend Bishop Russell J. McVinney. Bishop McVinney had served the early residents 0f St. Eugene Parish while he was an Assistant Pastor at St. Patrick Church in Harrisville, R.I. At the time, St. Eugene Parish was a mission parish of St. Patrick Church and Mass was celebrated in a hall on Route 102 across from the Chepachet Pharmacy (the hall has since been demolished) and later in the basement meeting room of the Glocester Town Hall building on Main Street in the village.
When it was established as an independent parish, the first and founding Pastor of St. Eugene Church was Father Joseph F. McCabe (1956-1964) who previously served as the Assistant Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Pawtucket, R.I. and as the Director of Catholic Cemeteries for the Diocese of Providence. After Fr. McCabe, the Pastors of St. Eugene Church have been Reverend Ronald G. Dailey (1964-1967), Reverend William F.X. Harrington (1967-1971), Reverend Francis V. De Lellis (1971-1994), Reverend Russell Page (1994-1996), Reverend Charles Quinn (1997-2007), Reverend T.J. Varghese (2007-2018), and Reverend Stephen J. Dandeneau (2018-present).
As a result of the connection between St. Eugene Church and St. Patrick Church, the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement assisted with the Religious Education Program at St. Eugene Church during the school year for a number of years until they moved out of the area.
The St. Eugene Church building is of modern “Georgian-Colonial” design built of red brick and wood and designed to accommodate about 450 people at one time. It is well designed to take care of the growing numbers of year-round residents as well as the increasing numbers of summer residents who are attracted by the numerous lakes and ponds in Glocester, which boasts of the highest elevations in Rhode Island.
The rectory is one of several historical buildings in town with ties to public service since it was built in the 1840’s by one of the members of the Brown family. The Brown’s were among the first families to settle in the Town of Glocester. At one time, the rectory was the private home of Walter Reed, who was a Rhode Island United States Senator. Later, it served as a boarding house and, more recently, as a convalescent home until it was purchased by the Diocese of Providence to serve as the St. Eugene Church Rectory.
Throughout its history, St. Eugene Church has grown and has become the vibrant community of faith it is today. It is built on a solid foundation of good and faithful people who make the northwest corner of our state the welcoming and pleasant area that it is.
Please join our wonderful community of faith!
Visitors are also most welcome!