PROVIDENCE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
"Where the Gospel is Preached and Practiced"
Theme for 2010:
“Abiding with the Advocate among Us” Focal Texts: John 14:16-17, 23; 15:4-7, 10
CHURCH
HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
1876
- Three trustees, Richard Jones, Enoch Braxton and Peter Markins purchased the
land for the site of our church for the sum of forty-five dollars ($45).
1876
- 1903 - Ministers Rashi Harris, Ben Gentry, Joseph Claiborne, Scott Wallace and
Joshua Griffin provided leadership.
1879
- First building erected as called the Dick Jones Chapel.
1885
- The Sunday School was organized. Mr.
Joseph Wilkerson was the first superintendent.
1895-
Men’s Usher Board organized. Mr.
Washington Winston was the first president.
1903
- Rev. J. J. Woodson was called as pastor. He served for 54 years.
1904
- The Senior Choir was organized. Mr.
James Scott was the first director and Mr. James Conway was the first organist.
1912
- Monument Methodist Church was purchased, moved and erected on this site.
1914
- Three- fourth of Providence was annexed to the city.
The line that separates Henrico County from the city runs through a part
of our present building.
1922-
Lighthouse Club organized with Mrs. Martha Turner as founder and first
president.
1924
- The Ladies Auxiliary Usher Board organized.
Mrs. Ruth Evans was the first president.
1926
- The Earnest Workers Club organized. Mrs.
Hestelle Braxton was first president.
1927
- The Junior Choir, later the Intermediate Choir, now the George Crawford
Memorial Choir was organized. The
first director was Mr. George Crawford; the first organist was Mr. James
Edwards.
1928
- The annex to our church erected by contractor, Deacon Thornton Davis.
1929 - The Sunday School Orchestra was founded by violinist, Mr. Ulyssis S. Randolph. Other members of the orchestra were violinists Mr. Jesse Evans, Sr. and Mr. Charles Bell; saxophonist, Mr. Andrew Hocker; banjo player, Mr. Richard Langhorne, Sr.; and pianists, James Norman Randolph and his sister, Phyllis Randolph (Dance).
1932
- The roof on the church collapsed. Deacon
Thornton Davis, contractor, enlisted the aid of architect Charles Russell.
The congregation worshiped in the annex while the church was under
repair.
1936-
The Deaconess Board was organized by Pastor J. J. Woodson.
Among some of the first members were:
Mesdames Martha Turner, Adelaide Davis, Hestelle Braxton, Melissa
Randolph, Edna Knight, and Eliza Carter. Mrs. Martha Turner served as the first chairman.
1943
- Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were organized.
Mr. S. C. Booker was the first Scout Master.
Mrs. Mary Evans Dance was the first Girl Scout Leader. The Jr. Chorus,
later named the Young People’s Choir was organized. Director and Organist was
Mrs. Phyllis R. Dance.
1946-
Mortgage Burning Service was held. A
new heating plant was installed. The
Junior Usher Board organized by Mr. Holmon Cross.
1949-
The first electric organ was installed through the efforts of Trustees, Mr.
Sylvester C. Booker, Mr. Ulysses Randolph and Mr. James Edwards.
1954-
The Lord’s Men’s Chorus was organized by Director and pianist Rev. Dois
Love. “This is Your life”
service was held for pastor, Rev. J. J. Woodson.
1957
- Rev. J. J. Woodson, pastor for 54 years, departed this life.
Dr. W. L. Ransome delivered the Eulogy.
Rev. Harold Pinkston, who assisted during Rev. Woodson’s illness was
elected pastor. Cub Scouts and Brownie Scouts were organized with Mrs. Edith
Booker and Mrs. Vernell Myers (Nelson) serving as Scout Leaders.
1959
– “This is Your Life” service was held for Mr. Ulysses S. Randolph,
sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Frederick White, Sr.
1957 - 1962 - Some of the new organizations formed were: The Literary Club, J J. Woodson Club, Chapel Choir and the Childrens’ Orchestra.
1963
- Rev. Miles Jerome Jones accepted ‘the call’ as pastor in the summer.
Installation
Service was held in September. Rev.
A. W. Brown was the speaker. It was
recommended by Rev. Miles J. Jones that the old church building be demolished
and that we erect a new edifice.
1965
- The Nursery was organized with Mrs. Estelle C. Baker serving as Director.
1966
- The congregation marched into the new edifice. The hopes of many were realized.
Davis & Myers Builders were the contractors.
1968-
Rev. Miles Jones aided Henrico residents in Providence Park to gain water
and sewage services. With the
coming of Pastor Jones, emphasis began to shift from organizational concerns to
one of interpersonal relationships.
1972
- The Inspirations Choir was organized with Mrs. Helen W. Morton serving as
director and Diane Bacon as organist.
1973
- A Mortgage Burning Service was held signifying the completion of payment for
the new church.
1993- A church van was purchased.
1994- Age relevant fellowship groups were established: Young Adults (19-35, Mellows(46-61) and Seniors (62 and above). Under the leadership of Laura Turner, The Mellows began a holiday celebrations program and established a mentoring to community youth and school supplies ministry.
1994-1999- The Providence Herald, a church newsletter was published. (Volumes 1-4).
November 1997- A handbell choir was formally established with members who
had previously taken lessons. The handbell choir was renamed the T.D. Hatcher
Memorial Handbell Choir in 2000.
January 1998 A new Diaconate Board consisting of the former Board of Deacons
and Board of Deaconess was established.
Paul Flowers was the first Head of the new Diaconate Board.
September 1999- The Johnson-White Computer TechnologyLaboratory, designed to
support the pastor's vision of an adult
education & literacy program, was established and opened to the
congregation.
September 1999-Church Tutorial Program Started.
May 2001- The church website was established.
March 2001- The Music Ministry expanded to include the Praise Dancers, a
new youth group.
March, 2003- Literary Lions of Judah, a monthly creative writing and book
discussion
group was established.
April, 2003-The Women's Ministry was established.
March 2004- Weekly computer literacy classes began to be offered.
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