First Baptist Church in America

Roger Williams founded this congregation in 1638 after being banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony for advocating the separation of church and state — then built the idea into the church's founding principles. The current meetinghouse, erected between 1774 and 1775, was the first Baptist church in America to have a steeple and bell. Designed by Joseph Brown, its steeple copies an unbuilt design by English architect James Gibbs. Brown University has held undergraduate commencement here since 1776.