The Providence Methodist Church is one of the six churches in the Bethel Circuit. The Church was established in 1832 and is situated at Providence, Christ Church. The email address of the Church is [provmeth@caribsurf.com](mailto:provmeth@caribsurf.com) . The Church meets for worship every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. 
The Congregational Stewards of the Providence Methodist Church for the Church year 2020-2021 are Bros. Patrick Welch and Hussein Brewster, Sisters Angela Brewster, Keisha Rouse, Rosalind Connell and Linnel Nurse.
The organizations of the Church are the Women’s League, Men’s Ministry, the Church School and the Youth Fellowship.

### History of the Church
#### MR. WILLIAM REECE 
**Influence on the Establishment of Providence**
  William Reece, the proprietor of Gibbons and Pilgrim Plantations supported English Missionary Rev. William Shrewsbury in his efforts to spread Christianity to the slaves.  Rev Shrewsbury was allowed to use his large storeroom at Oistins to preach to the slaves.  Mr. Reece encouraged his slaves to attend Rev. Shrewsbury’s public worship services.  He also indicated his wish to build  a chapel on one of his estates for the benefit of the slaves. By 1822 a mission station was established at one of his estates.

#### THE FIRST CHAPEL
Mr. Reece donated land and material for the construction of a chapel.  He also provided the labour as the slaves were encouraged to work on the chapel.

The first  Providence chapel was built  in Parish Land, Christ Church.  It was called “Union” because it was located between Mr. Reece’s two estates Gibbons and Pilgrim. Mr. Reece also hoped that the central location of the chapel would influence the spread of Methodism throughout the parish. 
The chapel was opened on Sunday, October 29, 1826.  
#### THE SECOND CHAPEL
The membership at Union grew rapidly and the chapel was considered to be too small.    
Mr. Reece was impressed with the work of the missionaries among his slaves.  He donated more land at Providence for the construction of a new Chapel.   He recommended to the Methodist Missionary Society in England that a missionary should be stationed at Providence.
The new Chapel was constructed on the land on which the current church is located. It was opened on Easter Sunday, 1832.
#### THE THIRD CHAPEL
The transition period between slavery and freedom saw a decline in the membership at Providence.  However, by 1850 the membership started to increase significantly. Eventually, the chapel was considered to be too small. 
In 1862, Synod accepted the proposal to build a new Chapel.   It was built adjacent to the old Chapel and was opened on November 26, 1863.  

In 1955, The Chapel was destroyed by Hurricane Janet.   The finance and Property Committee of the circuit was indecisive about repairing the damaged building or constructing a new one.  Eventually a decision was taken to repair the damaged chapel.  It is still in existence.

#### Circuits to which Providence Belonged

The Methodist Church in Barbados implemented the circuit system in 1846.  It was known as the Barbados Circuit which comprised the Methodist churches in the island.  

The expansion of Methodism saw the need to establish a second circuit in the island.  This came about in 1865.  The churches were divided into two circuits known as Barbados First and Barbados Second.   

The churches of Barbados Second were Providence and Vauxhall in Christ Church, Ebenezer, Rices, Beulah, Shrewsbury and Supers in St Philip.
The Barbados First consisted of James Street, Bethel, Dalkeith, Belmont, Whitehall,  Paynes Bay, Selah, Hope(Bethesda) and Speightstown. 

 In 1869 a third circuit was established and consisted of  Speightstown, Selah, Hope and  Paynes Bay.

Changes were made again to the circuit system in 1874.  Two new circuits, Bethel and Providence were established.  The Providence Circuit consisted of Providence and Vauxhall. 

The 1905 Synod recommended the amalgamation of Providence and Ebenezer Circuits.  Ten years later Synod approved the request to separate the Providence and Ebenezer Circuits.  As a result,  Providence and Vauxhall were transferred to the Bethel Circuit. These two churches have been in the Bethel Circuit for over 100 years.
*Reference: Methodism 200 Years in Barbadosby Francis (Woodie) Blackman*



**Did You Know…?**
**Expressions of Praise Dance Ministry**
The ministry of dance has been a part of the modern history of Providence Methodist Church from as early as 1984.  The children of the dance group were members of the Church School and wider community and often danced at Christmas, the harvest cantata, youth service at Providence and other churches and community events.

Providence’s dance ministry began with the introduction of square dancing, folk and creative dancing by Sister Megan Goodridge.   In those days girls made up the majority of members and there were a few boys in the group. These youngsters danced at tea parties organised by the Women’s League and at other events.  

In 1991 Sister Juliette Lovell  became the leader of the dance group which continued square dancing and expanded its repertoire to include contemporary music.  One memorable event was the variety concert entitled “Through The Eighties” which showcased the versatility of the dancers.

During the 1990’s the group was under the direction of Sister Sharon Campbell. It entered the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) and was successful in reaching the finals.

In 2003, Sister Michelle Campbell, a founder member of the Providence Dance Ministry, along with a group of church school students, worked to present a dance for the Bethel Circuit’s National Youth Expo and placed second.

The group was formally christened *Expressions of* Praise in 2004 and is under the guidance of Sisters Laura McClean and Michelle Campbell.



Providence Church