Church, Benjamin, House
a.k.a. Benjamin Church Home for the Aged.
1014 Hope St., Bristol, RIThe Benjamin Church House was originally erected, from funds left in a trust, as a home for the elderly and was used continuously for this purpose until it was abandoned in 1966; since that time it has been vacant. To the rear of this building are now new housing units for the aged which were financed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. These new elements do not significantly detract from the setting of the house.
This building is important because it forms a neighborhood link. Along Hope Street to the north and south are many fine old Bristol residences, all in good to excellent condition. Examples are the John Reynolds house, a "saltbox" of 1698, presently being, restored; a gambrel-roofed dwelling of 1779 directly across the street from the Benjamin Church house; and the Levi DeWolf farmhouse of 1793, built by one of a famous Bristol family. Should the Church House be removed, an important element in the neighborhood would be lost and a large gap created which would most certainly diminish the visual pleasure now experienced as one travels along Hope Street.
Nearby Dimond and Sunnyside Avenues, running off Hope Street, are short streets with several older houses along them. The ends of these streets overlook Bristol Harbor to the southwest from a point above it. To the northwest of this area is Colt State Park, fronting Narragansett Bay.
The Church house is also architecturally significant being a fine example of the Colonial Revival style of the early part of this century. It is a product of the Providence firm of Howe and Church, who were knowledgeable, tasteful, and skillful exponents of this style-one partner, Wallis Howe, who practiced over an extremely long span of time, being from a distinguished old Bristol family. It is a very pure example of this revival style, exhibits pleasing proportions, and is in basically unaltered condition both externally and internally. Coupled with its siting, its stone foundation, landscaping, and neighborhood, the former Home for the Aged is truly an asset to its environment. It is to be hoped that the Department of Housing and Urban Development will be able to use this structure in conjunction with its new and adjacent housing for the elderly--perhaps as administrative offices or additional residential units.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.