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TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE FIRST PROVIDENCE CHURCH OF NORTH AUGUSTA ON THE OCCASION OF ITS HISTORIC ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY, AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR A CENTURY AND A HALF OF SERVICE TO GOD AND THE COMMUNITY.
Whereas, having been founded in 1860, First Providence Church of North Augusta will celebrate its historic one hundred fiftieth anniversary in 2010; and
Whereas, one and a half centuries ago, First Providence Church was organized under the auspices of Thankful Baptist Church of Augusta, Georgia. The original site of the church was Hamburg, where the church remained until the flood of 1929 forced its move from the old site to the present one in North Augusta; and
Whereas, after the flood, temporary quarters were set up to be used for cottage prayer meetings and Sunday School until a sanctuary could be erected, but because of the Great Depression, progress toward erecting a sanctuary was slow. When construction was almost halted, Deacon Andrew Jay gave the deed for all the land he owned in order that lumber might be purchased to complete the sanctuary. With the help of Almighty God and the support and cooperation of the church officers, First Providence's members and friends completed the sanctuary in 1931; and
Whereas, over the next several decades, the church enjoyed growth in both numbers and facilities. The many church-campus improvements included exterior bricking, pulpit furniture, carpet installation, renovation of the church roof, redecoration of the sanctuary's interior and exterior, and construction of restrooms, baptismal pools, and the educational annex. Later, the church carried out complete renovation of the sanctuary's interior; and
Whereas, under the leadership of the church's current pastor, the Reverend Alexander Pope, Jr., installed in 1984, First Providence Church has seen continued growth. A prayerful man of vision and foresight, he has faithfully promoted spiritual growth and unity among the brethren. Christian education, Bible study classes, and deacon and deaconess training classes have all flourished, along with various improvements such as a secretary's office, a church library and food bank, and landscaping work; and
Whereas, growth in other areas under Pastor Pope's ministry include the organization of a boy's baseball team, Girl Scouts, a beautification club and male chorus, Youth Baptist Fellowship, and the Rebuilding the Black Family workshop. He is also responsible for the development of other programs such as the marriage and singles ministry, summer enrichment program, and church daycare, and he helped pilot the church through the construction of a new sanctuary, dedicated in 1992; and
Whereas, standing on the faith and strength of its early pastors and members, First Providence Church's present congregation "presses toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14), continuing to preach and teach the Word of God; and
Whereas, First Providence Church has been a beacon of light and a community worship center in North Augusta for one hundred fifty years, and, God willing, will continue its godly heritage in many more years of worship and service. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate First Providence Church of North Augusta on the occasion of its historic one hundred fiftieth anniversary, and commend the church for a century and a half of service to God and the community.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to First Providence Church.
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