August 1, 1807 • Two acres of land, fronting Church Road, were deeded to the Methodist Society by John J. Kleinhoff & Sarah, his wife, for the sum of one dollar. The only structure was a little log cabin.
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January 2, 1813 • Another acre of land was transferred to “Trustees of Providence Church” by Sarah Kleinhoff for the sum of one dollar. A building had been erected before this time.
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Late 1860s • Our sanctuary was repaired and remodeled. The building had been used by transient soldiers seeking shelter during the War Between the States.
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July 22, 1883 • The oldest burial record in our cemetery – Walter A. Orrill.
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1894–96 • A new and larger sanctuary (33ft. wide and 60 ft. long) was erected under the leadership of the pastor, The Rev. Leroy J. Phaup, using much of the framing material from the first church. Providence was 100 strong at that time. The Richmond Christian Advocate stated that “The complete new church, as it stands today (1896) with its Gothic windows, stained glass, handsome pews, carpets, new organ, new library case and books, beautiful chandeliers, could not be duplicated for less than $1,800.” These pews and some of these furnishings are in our present chapel.
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January 25, 1901 • For the sum of fifteen dollars, additional land was deeded by Mattie V. Neister and Willis Neister, her husband. The deed describes this land as “…triangle piece between Providence M. E. Church cemetery and the Providence Road…”
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1936–38 • More space was needed. With the help and leadership of the pastor, the Rev. T. G. Laughon, a basement was installed beneath the sanctuary, providing six classrooms, a social hall, kitchen, rest rooms, and furnace room. The cost was approximately $1,800.
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April 30, 1938 • The first class, Men’s Bible Class, taught by Mark Bookman, met in the new basement.
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1947–48 • A two-story brick addition was built providing seven classrooms – approximate cost was $8,000. It was impossible to get lumber at that time so brick was used. The sanctuary was again remodeled and redecorated.
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1950 • A parsonage was built and Providence became a station church (all 300 of us) with The Rev. C Roy Everett Jr. becoming our first pastor.
1951–52 • Two parcels of land were added modifying the grounds extensively and giving ample space for parking. We were deeded land in 1951 from the Maul estate and land from the Mott estate in 1952.
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June 14, 1953 • Dedication of our debt-free parsonage.
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January 27, 1957 • Ground was broken for our current sanctuary to seat 475. This was attached to the old building.
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March 15, 1958 • First service was held in our new sanctuary – Providence was 550 persons.
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August 31, 1964 • The debt on the sanctuary was paid in full.
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April 10, 1966 • Ground was broken for our current Educational building.
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May 1, 1966 • We reluctantly began dismantling our frame building.
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August 20, 1967• Our Educational Building was consecrated.
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June 6, 1982 • We burned the note for our Educational Building – we were 1,150 strong!
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September 28, 1982 • Our Charge Conference voted to purchase the adjoining Thomas property (15 1/2 acres). The new property was designated Oak Laughon as a lasting memorial to The Rev. T.G. Laughon, who lived with his family on this property while serving as pastor of Providence between 1934–38.
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1991 • We began our Preschool/Mother’s Morning Out program. This program was not the first time Providence provided educational facilities. Our forefathers used our building for schooling in the 1800s and in 1968 we helped our community by renting our facilities to Chesterfield County to alleviate the overcrowded conditions at A.M. Davis Elementary School.
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1992 • The two-story white frame house, originally referred to as the Laughon building, was renamed the G. Winston Overstreet Scout Building.
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September 28, 1997 • The note on Oak Laughon was retired.
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1997 • We converted a classroom into a parlor and remodeled our chapel and library.