Rev. Christopher M. Davenport, 85, Pastor Emeritus of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in West Warwick, died Wednesday, January 26, 2022.
Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a son of the late Christopher and Helena M. (Toomey) Davenport, he attended Saint Leo School and Saint Raphael Academy in Pawtucket. In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick and at Saint Bernard Seminary, Rochester, New York. He was ordained a priest on May 27, 1961, at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence by Bishop Russell J. McVinney.
After a summer assignment at Saint Mary Parish in Carolina, Father Davenport served as assistant pastor in the following parishes: SS. Peter and Paul Parish, West Warwick (1961-64); Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Slatersville (1964-67); Sacred Heart Parish in Woonsocket (1967-71); Saint Rose Parish in Warwick (1971); Sacred Heart Parish in Pawtucket (1971-72) and St. Leo the Great Parish in Pawtucket (1972-2001). In June 2001, Father Davenport became the pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in West Warwick and remained there until July 2011, when he retired as Pastor Emeritus. In retirement, Father resided in Pawtucket and assisted at St. John Paul II Parish. He lived at Briarcliff Manor, Johnston, at the time of his death.
In addition to his parish duties, Father Davenport was a part-time teacher at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick during the 1963-64 school year.
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin was the principal celebrant at a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for the repose of Father’s soul offered on Wednesday, February 2, at St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Parish, Pawtucket, with burial in Mount St. Mary’s Cemetery, Pawtucket.
