The New Providence United Methodist Church (NPUMC) is one of the mother churches of American Methodism. We are indeed an old and historical church.
Documented historical investigations by Dr. Vernon Hampton, noted Methodist historian, have established evidence of Methodist preaching and organization in New Providence in 1786. Many of the church's early preachers and members had participated in the Revolutionary War.
Initially Methodist meetings were led by itinerant preachers who met with all kinds of people in members' homes. The first Methodist ministers were earnest and zealous men who rode miles to carry God's message. Some laymen thought they were actors filled with "witchcraft" but Methodist membership continued to grow. Groups of Methodist worshipers were formed into classes or societies and the societies were organized into circuits.
New Providence was the center of a circuit. Union Village and New Providence churches had been joined as a station since 1836 but separated in 1914.
Until 1803 services were held in private homes. In that year the church people erected a church building but did not finish the interior until seven (7) years later. The original church was a 40 X 40 foot wooden structure with galleries built on the sides and front end of the building in what is now the cemetery area.
The current church building was built in 1856-57 with the wings added in 1960 and 1970 (Fellowship Hall). In the early 1950s ground was broken for the educational building and it was formally consecrated a year later. In 1966 the Methodist Church became the United Methodist Church by merging with the Evangelical United Brethren church and continued to grow. Over these many years NPUMC has been led by noble pastors and by countless gifted and dedicated lay persons whose faith had been witnessed through our church.
Church & Ministries
The New Providence United Methodist Church (NPUMC) has an active church membership which engages in many Christian ministries. Listed are some of the churches ministries/activities/committees and their responsibilities:
Board of Trustees: monitors ongoing business concerns and maintenance of church property, real estate investments and gifts. Staff Parish Relations Committee: monitors duties and compensations for church staff. Finance Committee: monitors finances and ancillary functions. Church Historian: documents the past and current status of the church by maintaining certain church records. Music Ministry: provides music during worship (in-person or virtual). Sunday School: develops community programs based in popular topics to which religious and secular groups are invited. Stewardship: pledges financial support by reaching out to our community, state and the world. Worship Committee: provides seasonal decorations for the sanctuary. Missions: fulfills the congregation's wishes to aide church members and non- members with needed supplies, funds and spiritual support. Women United in Faith: advocates for women, children and youth worldwide. All women of the church are invited to participate. Grounds Beautification Committee: oversees the exterior landscaping. Earth Care Committee: planted the "Serenity Pollinator Garden" where pollinators find a home. This committee also initiated the collection of certain plastics for a recycling program, the TREX Challenge, and earned three benches for our church property. Prayer Shawl Ministry: utilizes knitting and crocheting skills to create shawls, pocket prayer squares, scarves and afghans to be distributed to our congregation, family and the community. These items are blessed by our congregation before distribution. Advisory Council: reports on the activities of the church's ministries.