08/29/2026
Ever wonder about the name Pezzullo Avenue, the little street tucked off Middle Highway?
Its name is a lasting reminder of an Italian-American family with deep roots in Barrington—and it leads us to a fascinating piece of local history.
In the early 1900s, Barrington was home to a growing community of Italian immigrants, many of whom worked in the town’s once-busy brickyards. Holy Angels Church was organized to serve this community, which brought its traditions along with it.
One of those names was Pezzullo.
And here’s a piece of the family’s history you can still see today.
In 1960, the sons and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Pezzullo donated the statue of the Virgin Mary that stands in the Shrine of the Assumption behind Holy Angels Church.
The shrine recalls what was once quite a celebration in Barrington—the Italian community’s annual Feast of the Assumption, complete with a procession of the Virgin Mary, food stands, concerts, outdoor decorations and even fireworks!
More than a century later, pieces of that Italian-American story are still hiding in plain sight—from the shrine behind Holy Angels to a familiar name on a street sign.
Sources:
• Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, Outdoor Sculpture in Rhode Island
• Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management land records
• Historical Providence Journal obituary records
