Gathered in 1643

Newman History

The Newman Congregational Church first gathered for worship at the base of an oak tree, in 1643.  The congregation was established by the Rev. Samuel Newman (1602-1663), who called the location of the church Rehoboth.


In 1812, the town of Rehoboth was divided, and the church was assigned to newly formed Seekonk. Then, in 1862, state line between MA and RI shifted and the church became part of the newly formed East Providence. 


Without having moved, Newman Church has existed in three towns and two states. Today, the congregation worships in the fourth meeting house of Newman Church, built in 1810.

Present Day

today in the ucc

We are an Open and Affirming congregation of the Southern New England Conference of the  United Church of Christ (UCC).


The UCC is a progressive Christian denomination founded in 1957 by a merger of several different Christian traditions seeking more unity, rather than division. In the UCC, we believe that God is still speaking, and revealing new truth, light, and love among us.  Our faith is thousands of years old, but our thinking is not.


On October 2, 2022, this congregation worshiped together with members of the Pokanoket Tribe prior to the Sowams historic marker dedication across the street from Newman church. Soon after, the church adopted the following land acknowledgement:

Land Acknowledgement

Engaging history, Shaping Futures

Newman Congregational Church acknowledges that the Pokanoket Tribe has inhabited the Sowams lands, where our current meeting house stands, for over 10,000 years. 


In 1643 Rev. Samuel Newman gathered our congregation and built the first permanent settlement here within the Rehoboth land purchased from Massasoit Ousamequin, Great Leader of the Pokanokets. 


As an institution standing on Christian principles, this church respects the Pokanoket people who continue to serve as stewards of these lands and waterways. We seek to undo the legacy of dehumanization and dispossession that makes the work of decolonization necessary. 


Let this acknowledgement serve as a reminder of our ongoing efforts to recognize, honor, reconcile and partner with indigenous peoples.