In his book, Now and Then, Paul R. Hollinger shares the history of our township which began in 1853.  The name "Providence" came from the village Post Office names "New Providence" which first appeared in February 26, 1825, when Benjamin B. Eshleman was appointed the first postmaster.  Until 1825 the village was named for the Black Horse Tavern.  Around that time many villages were assigned Biblical names like Paradise, Eden, Bethel, Ephrata, and Lebanon.  "Providence" was a biblical term for the loving provision of God, perhaps in gratitude for God's grace and provision to those who lived here, or maybe in the hope of this township becoming a new "promised land."   

     While we may not be certain about the origin of the name, we are certain that we live in a great township.  Many thanks to those who serve as officers, supervisors, and the road crew who serve to provide for the interests of the residents.  We are certain that the name "Providence" does have more behind it than simply a place name.  Chances are, apart from where we live, providence is a term we rarely use or read these days.  In fact, it is so rare, the word sounds old-fashioned, maybe, even archaic.  However, read the writings of Christians from earlier centuries and you will find frequent references to God's providence.

     The root meaning of providence is "foresight" . . . to see in advance or to provide for.  But those definitions could leave us with a shallow understanding.  God is not a fine old gentleman, standing back as a spectator of human events.  The providence of God contains far more than a passive reference to His foreknowledge.  Back in the 17th century, the Westminster divines hammered out a much more thorough statement:

"God, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things from the greatest event to the least, by His most wise and holy providence, according to His foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will, to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, goodness and mercy."

   That definition is pretty heavy theologically but at New Providence Church of God we take it very practically and believe that God has providentially placed us here for this time to partner with other local churches of our community to serve the Providence and surrounding neighbors.  We also believe that you are providentially in this community so that we might have the privilege of sharing life with you.