First Baptist Church of Seekonk
Ellen Frances Allen (Ide)
Photo courtesy of Ted & Dawn Ide
Following is excerpted from the memoirs of Ellen Frances Allen Ide (there is a nice story about Ellen and George):
At the age of sixteen, I became a member of the Baptist church in Seekonk [a.k.a. Rehoboth, E. Providence], where my parents belonged. I was baptized by immersion in the river known as the “Ten Mile”, a beautiful spot by the roadside, a short distance south of the church, by Rev. G.M.P. King, who was our pastor at that time, a close friend in our family. This, to me, was a very sacred service, and meant consecration for life.
My father and mother had been members of the choir in this First Baptist church in Seekonk. The line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island was changed in 1862 taking a part of Seekonk into Rhode Island and merging it with East Providence; so the old Seekonk church became the East Providence church. A new building replaced the old a number of years ago. In this same church, my sisters, brothers and I were at different times members of the choir. At one time, it became my privilege and duty to play the organ for some years, and right here comes a funny story. A young man, in whom I was interested, was one day in the choir with us, and when the time arrived to open the service, there seemed to be no one high or low to blow the organ. This young man, who was anxious to assist, offered his services, which were gladly accepted. Being unaccustomed, he didn’t know whether to blow fast or blow slow. At first, he blew furiously until he was cautioned; then he slowed up until the music died away; but after a while he “got onto it” (to use the phrase), and all went well. He likes to tell the story to this day, and he frequently has the chance, as he lives not far away. His name was George Ide.