Itri

The Itrani community in Rhode Island began in the early 1900s, when hard times in southern Italy led many people to leave their homes. Families from Itri, a hillside town in Lazio, crossed the Atlantic and often arrived in Providence on Fabre Line ships, rather than going through Ellis Island. They settled together in Knightsville, a neighborhood in Cranston, where a shared language and friendships drew them together. Before long, this area grew into a lively Italian neighborhood where neighbors supported each other while working long hours in local textile mills and factories.
As these families made their new home, they wanted a church where they could gather and instruct their children. At first, Reverend Cesare Schettini held Masses in Italian in a church basement. As the community grew, they needed more room. After years of saving and working together, they opened St. Mary's Church on Cranston Street in 1938.
Every July, the biggest celebration of Itrani culture in Rhode Island is the annual Saint Mary's Feast. This event honors La Madonna della Civita, the patron saint of Itri, whose story began with a miracle in the 1500s that saved the town from a plague. The first immigrants brought a replica of her statue to America. For over a hundred years, Knightsville has marked the occasion with a large procession, music, confetti, and traditional food, drawing thousands of people each summer.
The transatlantic connection. The strong connection between Cranston and Itri became official on November 27, 2000, when the mayors of both cities signed a resolution designating them as sister cities. Since then, regular visits and exchanges have kept the bond alive, with Italian leaders often visiting St. Mary's Feast Society.
Although the first immigrants are gone, their families continue to celebrate their heritage, keeping the spirit and traditions of Itri alive in Rhode Island.