PROVIDENCE — Father Robert Hayman has earned a well-deserved reputation as an expert on diocesan history.
Whether it’s a question about the founding of a parish or Catholic school, an early bishop or the arrival of a particular ethnic group in the Ocean State, Father Hayman will most likely have the answer - or know where to find it.
While Father Hayman retired as pastor of St. Sebastian Church on the city’s East Side on June 30, he will continue to serve as the diocesan historian and teach at Providence College, where he has served on the history department faculty for 35 years.
The Pawtucket native, who was ordained in Louvain, Belgium in 1966 on June 25 - his parents Cliff and Lillian Hayman’s wedding anniversary, noted that he spent “four great years” studying at the American College of Louvain, and attending summer school in Austria and Scotland.
“I’ve always had a love of history,” he said, adding that following his ordination, he taught religion and served as a chaplain for two-and-a-half years at the former St. Xavier Academy, while in residence at St. Joseph Church, Providence.
Father Hayman subsequently taught history at the former Our Lady of Providence Seminary, Warwick Neck, and began studies leading to a master’s degree in history at Providence College.
In 1970, Father Hayman was asked by Msgr. Daniel P. Reilly, then chancellor of the diocese who was appointed Bishop of Norwich in 1995, to write a scholarly history in conjunction with the diocese’s centennial in 1972. The massive undertaking took 12 years, and resulted in the publication of the first volume of “Catholicism in Rhode Island and Diocese of Providence” in 1982, and a second volume in 1995.
The first volume served as Father Hayman’s dissertation for a doctorate of philosophy degree in history, which he received from Providence College, where he joined the history department faculty in 1975. He currently holds the rank of associate professor and teaches in the Development of Western Civilization program, as well as courses in American history.
“I’ve very much enjoyed my work at Providence College, especially the collegiality of the professors I’ve worked with in the Western Civilization program,” Father Hayman said.
Father Hayman is working on a third volume, which he admits will be published “a few years down the road” highlighting the administrations of Bishops Hickey, Keough and McVinney.
During his long academic career, Father Hayman has served as a part-time assistant at Our Lady of Mercy Church, East Greenwich; and Blessed Sacrament Church, Providence, before being named pastor of St. Sebastian Church, on the city’s East Side, in 1990.
“It’s the people who make that particular parish,” Father Hayman observed. “I wish there were more of them.”
Despite being a small congregation, Father Hayman emphasized that the St. Sebastian parishioners have always been generous and supportive.
“They are just wonderful people,” he noted.
“What I have enjoyed most over the years is celebrating the sacraments,” Father Hayman stated. “In priestly ministry I found a great deal of joy.”
In addition to reading and writing, Father Hayman enjoys spending time on the slopes.
“I’m a passionate skier,” he admitted, adding that as a member of the ambassador program at Sunday River in Maine, he assists the ski patrol and also greets skiers, provides directions and snaps many photographs.
Father Hayman plans to take a sabbatical from his academic responsibilities in January, and will assist in a parish near the ski resort.
Another one of Father Hayman’s passions are model trains, an interest that he has enjoyed for 35 years. He created displays of small gauge railroads at St. Sebastian’s rectory and would eventually like to build others.
“It’s a fun hobby,” he said, adding that he also enjoys swimming and sailing.
“Rhode Island is the perfect place for me.”
