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Our History
This congregation of
the Church of Christ was organized in New Providence, Tennessee in 1889.
From old church records we find! We whose names are undersigned met
together at the Christian meetinghouse in July 1889, and organized
ourselves together in the capacity of Christian worship. Among those
signing this record were Brothers John K. Smith and James Rossiter as
elders along with W.C. Smith, R.B. Adkins and William Harrelson as
deacons.
The congregation
continues to meet at the original location at the corner of Beech and
Chapel streets, although an additional Lot fronting on “the highway, now
Providence Boulevard, was acquired about 1965. From 1889 to 1956 the
meetinghouse was a large! One room, frame building which faced Beech
Street. It was heated during the winter by one large pot-bellied stove
and during the summers it was cooled by vigorous application of
hand-held funeral fans.
In 1957 a new facility
was completed with enlarged auditorium space and classroom facilities.
Improvements included central heat and air conditioning, a public
address system and even running water and restrooms. The first worship
service was held in this new facility in June 1957 with Brother James
Lamberth delivering the sermon and Brother Dick Cooper serving as song
leader.
Additional classroom
space was added in 1963 on the east side of the building and in 1967
classrooms were added on the west side, the present auditorium was
completed in December 1974.
During the first half
of the century the congregation worshipped without a full-time minister.
Much credit in the Lord’s service must be given to Brother F.P. Taylor
who labored for many years with this congregation, often with little
financial support. Some who are remembered as having preached for this
congregation during the first half century as part-time preachers and at
gospel meetings are Brothers F.P. Taylor, H. Leo Boles C.E.W. Dorris,
AC. Pullias Sr., C.J. Garner, Charles R. Brewer, James Bales, Willard
Collins, J.P. Sanders, Ira North, Monroe Scott, Wendell Winkler, Bill
Walton, Clarence Dailey and Joe Dunn.
During the early
1950’s the congregation was able to have a regular minister to work with
them. For a number of years Brother James Lamberth commuted from
Nashville, both during his student years at David Lipscomb College and
after completing his studies there. Next, Brother Lytle P. Jones labored
with the congregation for a number of years in addition to teaching in
the Montgomery County School System.
The first full-time
minister to serve with the congregation was Brother Coleman Crocker in
1963. The succession of ministers following Brother Crocker were Paul
Askew, Landon Hatley, Fred Davis, Wilford Mobley, Paul Askew a second
time and John Maltais.
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