The Roger Williams University Fund for Civic Activities awarded the First Congregational Church in Bristol a $2,500 grant in June, 2019, to design and install an historic interpretive marker in front of the Church, the first in a series of markers within the Sowams Heritage Area. Above, Church History Committee members Bette-Ann Kile and Sandra Patterson hold a small prototype of the sign with Senior Pastor Rev. Burton Bagby-Grose.

(Above) A rendering shows how the marker will look once completed following a review by the Bristol Historic and Preservation Society and the members of the Church Council. The installed 30 X 30″ marker will describe the first parsonage and meeting house as well as some of the historic objects in the Church museum.

(Above) A contemporary drawing shows what the first meeting house constructed on the Town Common in 1684, and headstones of the early Church pastors are displayed at the side of the Church building.

(Above) A sign documents the initial gathering date of the Church along High Street where the current Church building, its third location, now stands and in front of which the interpretive sign will be placed.