Providence Baptist Church

Church History

Introduction

"And when your children ask their father in time to come . . . what mean ye by these stones?" (Jos.4:6), then you can tell them that Providence stands as a witness to God's care and keeping to those who love and serve Him.

The history of Providence Baptist Church is the story of 289 people who left the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Germantown, under the leadership of Rev. Roland Curtis Lamb, Sr., their Pastor for 10 years. They took this giant step knowing that "with God all things are possible." It was no easy task they had set themselves to do. Their faith and trust was in God, the Master Builder, who could open doors that no man could shut and shut doors that no man could open.

October 14th, 1938

On Friday evening, October 14, 1938, a large number of this group met at the home of Mrs. Esther Smith, 463 W. Winona Avenue, Germantown, to organize a church. Rev. Robert G. Morton was elected chairman and Miss Gertrude Lamb, the secretary. We'll call it the "R. C. Lamb Temple," some suggested; but for fear the glory might be attributed to him, Rev. Lamb suggested the name "PROVIDENCE." It was God's guidance that had led them and only His Providence could make such a dream come true. "PROVIDENCE" was the name.

A committee of permanent organization was named.

October 16th, 1938

The following Sunday, October 16,1938, the first church service was held at Canaan Baptist Church, Haines and Belfield Avenues, Germantown. Rev. T. Robert Washington, Second Baptist Church, Nicetown, opened his doors to Providence and here they worshipped from October 23,1938 until April 2,1939.

January 1939

"PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH OF GERMANTOWN" became a chartered organization in January, 1939. Easter of 1939 found them worshipping all day at the Masonic Temple, 5425 Germantown Avenue.

June 4th, 1939

Through the efforts of Trustee Vernon Cunningham, they moved even nearer to home to Orange Hall, 15 W. Harvey Street. Sunday, June 4,1939, marked the first Sunday School for the children of Providence.

The first Baptismal Service as October 3, 1939, at ENON Tabernacle Baptist Church, Germantown, Rev. Adolphus Hobbs, Pastor.

March 24th 1940

This Easter Sunday was a cold, damp and dreary day; but nothing could chill the spirits of Providence as they marched from Orange Hall, led by Rev. and Mrs. R. C. Lamb, Sr.

July 7th 1940

Sunday, July 7,1940 bright and early, found members coming from north, south, east, and west of Germantown, on their way to Providence. At last! Their own Church! The pastor baptized 20 persons in the new pool on August 7,1940.

January 3rd 1943

It was through the work of Mr. James A. Amaker, Chairman of the Trustee Board and Contractor-Builder of the Church, that the members were able to enter the Main Sanctuary in record time.

The Congregation marched from the lower Church upstairs into the beautiful Sanctuary. Here stood THE PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH, erected at a cost of $75,000.00, crowded with members and friends.

July 6th 1947

The morgage was burned. Seven years from the date the lot was purchased, the Church was free of debt.

Pastors

Rev. Roland C. Lamb, Sr. (1938-1966)
Rev. Roland C. Lamb, Jr. (1967-1974)
Rev. George Thompson, Jr. (1975-1981)
Rev. James A Waller, Sr. (1982 - )

Conclusion

Since 1938, Providence Baptist Church of Germantown has provided strong spiritual guidance for the community of Germantown and continues today with third generation family worship. However, with the stress and changes in today's society, the Church has to be available to minister to the needs of the "whole person;" and as such, an outreach ministry and cultural facility would provide such information, support and activities and further carry out the mission of the Church.

The Providence Baptist Church will bring to fruition the vision of providing this to the community. A structure, independent of the Church itself, is in planning stages to be established as a base for "Cultural and Life Enhancing Services to the Community."

Pastor James A. Waller Sr.

Bio | Education | Occupation | Affiliations | Vision

Pastor's Biographical Sketch

Pastor James A. Waller, Sr., became the Pastor of Providence Baptist Church on Sunday, November 28, 1982. A man of God, who considered every person in Providence as "special"...with something special to offer"...an "Acre of Diamonds" in our own backyard.

In the eighties, his Vision was on people. "We love people...not things...We use things--not people." Pastor Waller preached the Body of Christ. Christ is the Head and we are all members with the varying gifts and offerings to bring.

In the nineties, his vision refocused to "Community Outreach"...taking a positive stance that would bring Providence Baptist Church into the Millennium as a church with God's people focused..."on doing God's work"..."a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith"...(Acts 11:24).

Married to the former Marghuerite Pickett; father of two children: Ebony Alexis and James A., II.; Grandfather of Domi; father-in-law of Domino. Rev. Waller was born and reared in Wayne, PA, with his parents and two brothers. Both his father and one of his brothers were ministers.

In October, 1982, Brother Waller accepted the call as Pastor of Providence Baptist Church and effective July 1, 1983, he resigned his position as a middle manager with the IBM Corporation (where he had been employed for 17 years) to become full-time Pastor.

During Pastor Waller's pastorate many have been added to the roll and many ministries have been added to the Church. Pastor Waller led Providence Baptist Church to become the fourth largest contributor to Foreign Missions in the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.

Education

Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA
B.A. degree in Sociology
Further study at Eastern Baptist Seminary
Philadelphia, PA
Continuing Education Courses, Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Occupation

Pastor, Providence Baptist Church
Philadelphia, PA

Organizations/Affiliations

Treasurer of OIC International
Member of the Board of Directors of OIC International
President of the Philadelphia Baptist Minister's Council
Member of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.
Member of the American Baptist Convention
Member of the Philadelphia Baptist Association
Member of the Industrial Area Foundation
Member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Baptist Association
Member of the African American Interdenominational Ministries
Member of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity
Member of the Board of Directors of AAIM
Member of the NW Interfaith Movement
Member of the Germantown Interfaith Movement
Founding Member of the Urban Development Corporation of Germantown
Former Corresponding Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board of the NBC,
USA, Inc. Former Treasurer of the Pennsylvania State Convention
Former Treasurer of the Baptist Minister's Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity
Former Secretary of the Minister's Council of PBA, American Baptist Convention
Former Financial Secretary/Former Finance Chairman of the Pastor's Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity
Former Treasurer of the Kandu Corporation (Community Development Corp.) of the St. Paul's Baptist Church, West Chester, PA
Member of the 14th Preaching Team of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., that traveled to the Republic of South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia, and Malawi, in February, 1996
Participant in the First African/African American Summit in Abidjan, Ivory Coast (Africa) and the Second African/African American Sumit in Gaban (Central Africa)
Traveled to Souel, Korea, in Decemember, 1997, as a part of a reconciliation team to bring Koreans and African Americans together in harmony
Trained Rational Emotive Spiritual Therapy (R.E.S.T.) Christian Counselor

Personal Vision

That I would have developed a community based church that produces a Christ-commanded product called disciples.
That I would have developed ministries and services that enhance the spiritual status of the community in which I serve.
That I would be recognized as a pastor who went beyond the expectations of those I serve.
That I would be recognized as one who has maintained religious and spiritual standards of the highest quality.
That I would have promoted a rewarding spiritual environment for those I serve.
That I would be recognized as one who has taught scriptures and, as a result, many lives have been transformed.
That I would have either purchased or led the construction of an educational facility for the purpose of training those who would be led my Christ.
That I would have either purchased or led the construction of a building that would be used as an emergency center in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.

James A. Waller Sr.

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Sunday Sunday School for all ages, all interests	9:30 A.M.
Sunday Worship Celebration- Baptism every 2^nd Sunday Communion every 3^rd Sunday	11:00 A.M.
Tuesday Growing in the Word - Family Bible Study	7:00 P.M.
Tuesday Prayer Meeting	8:00 P.M.
Wednesday Growing in the Word - Women's Bible Study	7:00 P.M.
Thursday Growing in the Word - Y.A.M.B.S. (Young Adult Men Bible Study)	7:00 P.M.