Businessman was benefactor at 2 cemeteries

Lincoln Park Cemetery with the chapel in the background. /RIJHA

Who was Samuel Priest and why is the chapel at Lincoln Park named for him when he is buried in the Temple Beth-El Cemetery?

Samuel Priest was born in Lithuania in 1869 and came to New York at age 11. Upon coming to Rhode Island, he established a cotton and remnant store in partnership with his brother. In 1897, he married Pearl Raphael and they had four daughters.  In time, Priest became a successful businessman who owned Imperial Printing and Finishing Co. and Berry Spring Mineral Co., both in Pawtucket.

Pearl and Samuel Priest built a home at 232 Norwood Ave. in Cranston in 1905. It was a Greek Revival mansion decorated with stained glass windows, crystal chandeliers and striking antiques. It had three floors and 15 rooms, including a sitting room with a domed ceiling designed to provide excellent acoustics for their four musical daughters. In 1994, the house was sold and turned into a bed and breakfast, Edgewood Manor.

Priest was always interested and concerned with the welfare of his community. He served on the boards of the Jewish Orphanage, The Miriam Hospital and Temple Beth-El, and was one of the founders of the Hebrew Free Loan Association. From 1907-1912, he was president of Congregation Ahavath Sholom (the Howell Street shul). He was also a member of the Providence Lodge, Palestine Lodge, and Knight of Pythias, and on the board of directors of Ledgemont Country Club.

Priest died on Feb. 10, 1926, at age 57, and was buried in the Temple Beth-El Cemetery. Among those making tributes in his memory were Abram Resnick, executive director of the Jewish Community Center, J.E. Edelstein, president of  Ledgemont Country Club, and the Temple Beth-El Board of Directors.

In 1930, Priest’s daughters wanted to honor their father and his contributions to the community by building a chapel in his memory. Because a chapel had already been built in Beth-El Cemetery by the Samuels family, they chose Lincoln Park.

The Priest family is one of several families that have a mausoleum at the Beth-El Cemetery. In addition, one of the gates surrounding that cemetery bears the name Samuel Priest.

Over the years, the Lincoln Park chapel fell into disrepair. In 1998, it was completely renovated, thanks to Priest’s granddaughter, Sandra Rose. On Dec. 6, 1998, the chapel was rededicated. It is now being used again for funerals and memorial services, and Rose has stayed involved in its upkeep.

ANNE SHERMAN is the retired office manager of the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association. To comment about this or any Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association article, email info@rijha.org.