St. Margaret's Church was originally established as a mission of the Cathedral. Priests would journey to East Providence to celebrate Mass at Bay View Academy. In 1887 Bishop Matthew Harkins, the second resident Bishop of Providence, recognized the need for a separate parish in the industrial Rumford area and asked Father John Harty to sponsor Saint Margaret as a Mission of Sacred Heart Parish, East Providence. Father Harty accepted the call and so began the history of Saint Margaret Parish.
    On the evening of September 28, 1888 the foundation of a church began. Exactly one month later, on October 28, 1888, Bishop Harkins came to Rumford to lay the cornerstone. "Saint Margaret's Church Corporation, East Providence, Rhode Island" was incorporated by certificate of incorporation dated December 3, 1888 and duly signed by Bishop Harkins; Father McCabe, the Vicar General; Father Harty, Pastor; Robert F. McCoart and James F. McManus, lay trustees. The certificate was recorded by Samuel H. Cross, the Rhode Island Secretary of State on June 4, 1888.
        The tiny mission church of the 1880's became a leading parish in the diocese.  Answering the needs of a fast-growing community, on April 4, 1955, the pastor, Msgr. Bernard J. Lennon was authorized to begin construction of a school and convent.  One of the landmark dates in the history of the parish was September 5, 1956 when the doors of the school opened for the first time.  It was a proud day on June 14, 1963 when thirty boys and girls became part of the first graduating class. In 1970 permission was granted by Bishop McVinney to convert the convent into the parish rectory and demolish the old residence at 42 Bishop Avenue. In 1987 in preparation for the Centennial observance of the founding of the parish, a program of renovations was begun.  On September 8, 1987 tragedy struck when fire destroyed the roof and steeple of the church and the interior was extensively damaged.  Through the hardwork of the pastor, Father Edward McGovern, and the entire parish, St. Margaret Church was rebuilt and dedicated on October 21, 1990.  Today, through the efforts of the current pastor, Rev. Thomas L. Keenan, St. Margaret Church and St. Margaret School are thriving and vital elements in the Rumford community.
 
Excerpts from St. Margaret Church, Centennial Anniversary, A Brief History, researched by Robert A. Deasy