(EAST PROVIDENCE, RI) – Marking the 125th anniversary celebration of St. Margaret’s Parish community, a Mass was held on June 9th with the Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, presiding. Rev. Msgr. William J. McCaffrey, pastor of the parish, concelebrated the Mass along with other clergy.
Established in 1888 by Bishop Matthew Harkins for the faithful in the Rumford section of East Providence-St. Margaret first began as a Mission of Sacred Heart Church. A new church was built and dedicated on April 13, 1890, with Bishop Harkins presiding.
A new convent and school was built and opened in 1956 under the direction of the Sisters of Mercy. St. Margaret’s school has more than 230 students attending the 2012-2013 school year.
Tragedy struck in 1988 when a fire destroyed the roof and steeple of the church along with the interior. Through the hard work and dedication of the pastor and the entire parish a new church was built and dedicated on October 21, 1990.
Today, St. Margaret’s is thriving and has more than 2,600 parishioners that participate in the life of this vibrate parish.
