Tiverton church celebrates 300 years

TIVERTON, R.I. (WPRI) -- A Tiverton church celebrated its 300th anniversary in style Sunday morning.

The Reverend John Higginbotham of the Holy Trinity Church donned period garb, including a tricorn and a wig, and rode on horseback to the steps of the church.

The church has existed since 1712, and Sunday's time-warp was a tribute to the Reverend John Honyman, who ministered at several churches and made the rounds by horse.

Inside, there were no lights and no organ music as Higginbotham conducted a historically-accurate service.

Parishoners told Eyewitness News that the anniversary was a testament to the strength of the church, which has a growning congregation even as other churches around the state close their doors.