History

A Brief History of Providence

The vision for Providence Presbyterian Church began in the late 1970s, when the Presbytery of South Alabama saw the beginnings of a demographic shift to the west in Mobile. Several studies were conducted, and several sites considered. Finally, in 1988 land was purchased next to the water tower on Schillinger Road South, just a short distance from the intersection of Schillinger and Cottage Hill Roads. Shortly thereafter the Presbytery called Brant Baker as Providence's first minister. Brant moved to Mobile in the summer of 1989 and began building the new congregation.

Following intense work by the Presbyterians in the area, two small groups of people began meeting in the Bakers' home for Bible study. Interest and excitement grew steadily, and the first worship service was held on November 5, 1989, with over 100 people present, almost half of whom were now part of the growing body of believers who would soon be charter members of the new church.

Providence Presbyterian Church was officially chartered on Pentecost, June 3, 1990, with 70 adult charter members and 26 children. At the time, the church was meeting in a former seafood store located across the street from water tower, and a small modular trailer was situated up the street on the church property for use as a children's nursery.

As Providence grew and the lease at the fish market was about to expire, it was evident that the church needed more and better-suited space. The Presbytery of South Alabama purchased a double-wide modular building, placed it on the church property in the spring of 1991, and Providence began leasing the new space.

After a several years, a larger nursery trailer and a second Christian Education trailer, members of Providence stepped out in faith to build a new sanctuary and Christian Education building behind the double-wide. The current facility was dedicated on Pentecost of 1997, Providence's seventh birthday.

This continued physical growth and movement was accompanied by constant growth in spirit and movement in mission on behalf of the congregation. Providence has had a constant and growing outreach to both the local and larger community, participating in local missions ranging from a Food Pantry, support for food-insecure students at a local elementary school, McKemie Place, L'Arche, the Interfaith Hospitality Network, and Habitat for Humanity to the Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega, AL, to a partnership with sister churches in Merida, Mexico.

Along the way, we have continued to seek God's leading in our personal growth as disciples, and in our corporate understanding of what it means to worship, fellowship, study, and serve.