Murphy, Hindle & Wright
Ambrose J. Murphy | |
|---|---|
 Saint Paul Church, Cranston, Rhode Island | |
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | May 27, 1949 (aged 79) |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Architect, partner in Murphy and Hindle, Murphy, Hindle and Wright and Ambrose J. Murphy |
Ambrose J. Murphy (1869–1949) was an American architect who operated out of Providence, Rhode Island. Concentrating on church architecture, his professional life spanned four decades and featured numerous commissions for the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Providence and Fall River.
Early life and career
Murphy was born on July 12, 1869, in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he most likely completed his education. Early in his career, he worked under the guidance of his uncle James Murphy (1834–1907), a prominent ecclesiastical architect in Providence. Following this apprenticeship, he briefly served as a draughtsman for the firm Martin & Hall.
Architectural practice
In 1900, Murphy joined forces with Franklin R. Hindle to establish the firm Murphy & Hindle. Seven years later, Benjamin W. Wright became a partner, leading to the creation of Murphy, Hindle & Wright. This partnership ended in 1917, after which Murphy continued his architectural work independently.
Starting in 1918, Samuel M. Morino collaborated with Murphy and eventually succeeded him upon his retirement in 1942. Ambrose J. Murphy passed away on May 27, 1949.
Legacy
Murphy’s professional timeline coincided with that of Boston architect Charles Maginnis, whose approach to ecclesiastical design is thought to have influenced him. His unique church designs continue to be appreciated locally, with several recognized on National Registers of Historic Places.
with James Murphy
- 1896–1900 Holy Name of Jesus Church, Providence
Murphy and Hindle
- 1900 St. Anthony Church, Providence
- 1900 St. Andrew Summer Church, Block Island
- 1903 St. Agnes Church, Providence
- 1905 Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Providence
- 1905 Immaculate Conception Church, North Easton, Massachusetts
- 1905 St. Thomas Moore Church, Narragansett
- 1906 Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Providence
- 1907 St. Ann Church, Cranston (currently St George Maronite Catholic Church)
- 1908 Immaculate Conception Church, Providence (demolished during late-1950s urban renewal)
- St. Patrick Church, Providence (razed in 1980 due to structural concerns)
Murphy, Hindle and Wright
- 1908 Holy Ghost Church, Providence, Rhode Island
- 1909 St. Ann Church, Providence, Rhode Island
- 1912 Assumption Church, Providence, Rhode Island
- 1914 St. Rita Church, Warwick, Rhode Island
- 1901-1915 St. Michael Church (The existing structure replaced the second church originally constructed in 1868 by his uncle James Murphy. In 1906, worship services were relocated to the larger basement chapel while completion of the Upper Church was finalized and dedicated on October 3, 1915.) This parish complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ambrose J. Murphy
- 1916 St. Sebastian Church, located in Providence, Rhode Island
- 1919 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, situated in Bristol, Rhode Island
- 1924 Our Lady of Consolation Church, found in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
- 1924 Santo Christo Church, based in Fall River, Massachusetts
- 1925 Our Lady of Lourdes Church, in Providence, Rhode Island
- 1927 St. Anthony Church, located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island
- 1928 Jesus Savior Church, situated in Newport, Rhode Island
- 1930 St. Paul Church, Edgewood neighborhood of Cranston, Rhode Island (collaborated with Samuel Morino as supervising architect)
- 1931 St. Matthew Church, in Cranston, Rhode Island
- 1933 St. Alexander Church, situated in Warren, Rhode Island (only the basement designed by Murphy; upper structure by Joseph M. Mosher)
- 1935 St. Mary Church, located in Cranston, Rhode Island
- 1937 St. Patrick Church, Harrisville area of Burrillville, Rhode Island
- 1939 Our Lady of Grace Church, in Johnston, Rhode Island (initially the basement church; upper portion constructed during the late 1960s)
- 1942 St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, located in Narragansett, Rhode Island