Providence Baptist Church sits at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue in west Baltimore, just a short walk from the neighborhoods that gave the congregation its first members nearly a century ago. The solar-heated sanctuary, completed in 1981, is the second home of a congregation that has shaped and been shaped by the surrounding community since 1928. Today the church is known for its choir ministry (seven distinct groups serve the 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship), a deep calendar of Bible study classes for every age, a hands-on homeless ministry, and a separately incorporated Adult Day Care Center that has served Baltimore's seniors since 1997.
Founded in the Providence of God
Providence Baptist Church traces its beginning to April 1928, when 243 baptized believers withdrew their membership from Union Baptist Church after the majority of that congregation voted to relieve their pastor, the Reverend David E. Over, of his duties. The group met during the week for prayer and consultation while worshiping on Sundays with a congregation pastored by Reverend Francis Storey at Schroeder and Pierce Streets. At a special meeting, the founding members unanimously adopted a resolution to organize a church in accordance with the policy and practice of a missionary Baptist church.
The honor of naming the new church went to the oldest member of the founding group, Mrs. Amanda Robinson. Believing the new church was in the providence of God, she offered the name Providence Baptist Church. The Articles of Incorporation were adopted on April 17, 1928. Reverend Over provided leadership in the establishment of the new church and was called as its first pastor on May 4, 1928. He died suddenly on April 29, 1929.
Blessed by God, the new congregation purchased property at Fremont and Edmondson Avenues, where the historic founding meeting had been held. That location served as the center of worship and service for the next 48 years.
Four Pastors, One Long Story
After the death of Reverend Over, the congregation called Reverend Doctor Eugene W. White from Tulane Baptist Church in New Orleans on October 17, 1929. Reverend White guided the church through the economic struggles of the Great Depression, encouraged spiritual and programmatic development, and saw the church burn its first mortgage in 1939 and its second in June 1943. He resigned in July 1951 due to ill health and served as pastor emeritus until his death on September 25, 1952.
Reverend Marcus G. Wood was called from Bethlehem Baptist Church in Woodbury, New Jersey, as the third pastor that same year. Under his leadership the church grew and incorporated many innovative educational and service programs and building projects. Programs instituted during his pastorate that remain active include the Board of Christian Education, the Church-wide Institute, the Parent-Child Seminar, the SHARE Program, the Food Pantry, and the HIV/AIDS Ministry. Reverend Wood served until 2020.
The current pastor, Reverend Doctor Douglas E. Summers, has served since September 17, 2000, first as co-pastor alongside Reverend Wood and now as pastor. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Reverend Summers holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Winston-Salem State University, a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Leadership in Church Development from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, Illinois. He has also completed Clinical Pastoral Education programs at Baptist Hospital with emphasis on Conflict Management. Under his leadership the congregation strengthened its health ministries, expanded academic assistance programs, acquired and demolished four dilapidated houses across Lafayette Avenue, launched a Spiritual Gifts Assessment initiative, and commissioned the development of the mission statement that now anchors the church: To proclaim the Good News of the Love of God through Jesus Christ by making disciples for Christ and nurturing them to spiritual maturity.
Reverend Summers is the immediate past president of the American Baptist Churches of the South, a member of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Baltimore, and a board member of the Providence Adult Day Care Center, Inc. He is also a former Field Representative to the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and a former instructor at the Center of Development Church Ministry School of Theology at Virginia Union University.
A New Solar-Heated Home on Pennsylvania Avenue
The most prominent building project under Reverend Wood began in 1972 after the congregation committed to 30 days of prayer. While the new building was under construction, the congregation shared facilities with the First Baptist Church of Baltimore from July 1972 to February 1981. In February 1981 the congregation marched into its new solar-heated church home at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue. Later additions to the property include 13 Sunday School rooms and the Adult Day Care Center, located next door to the church.
Sunday Worship and the Choirs That Lead It
Worship is held every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in person and virtually on Zoom. A typical order of worship includes a prelude, a call to worship, an opening hymn, scripture reading, morning prayer, a pastoral reflection, an offertory with the giving of tithes and offerings, a children's meditation, the sermon, a hymn of decision, and a benediction.
Providence's music ministry is one of the most visible features of its life. Seven choirs share responsibility for the 10:00 a.m. service:
- Children's Choir - young singers from Pre-K through fifth grade, serving on the third Sunday of each month, under the direction of Sister Lenora Horne.
- Combined Choir - composed of members from the various choirs of the church, presenting cantatas at Christmas and Easter and singing on the first and third Sundays, led by Directress Sister Kimberly Davis.
- Inspirational Singers - singing on the first and fifth Sundays of the month.
- Male & Gospel Chorus - serving on the second Sunday under the direction of Deacon Gregory Horne, with Sister Lenora Horne as musician.
- Psalmodists of Praise - singing on the fourth Sunday under the direction of Brother Michael Guthrie; the choir has served Thanksgiving dinner to senior citizens and needy families in the community.
- Women's Chorus - singing on the third and fifth Sundays.
- Youth & Young Adult Choir - providing music on the fourth Sunday for singers ages 11 to 21.
Brother Jason Cook serves as church organist. The Multimedia Ministry produces, duplicates, and disseminates audio and video recordings of worship services, concerts, and other church-related programs upon request, with a special effort to provide recordings to those who are ill, shut-in, or unable to attend.
Bible Studies for Every Season of Life
Bible study is woven into the weekly rhythm of Providence. On Sunday mornings from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m., eight adult Sunday School classes meet in person and by conference call: The Adult Journeys, Bible Study For Today's Living, Ladies Bible Class, Getting to Know Your Bible Class, Intergenerational Class, The In-Betweens (founded in the early 1970s by the late educator Mrs. Vernice Matthews), Genesis-The Beginning, and Open Bible Class. The Adult Journeys uses the Judson Bible Journeys for Adults curriculum. Sister Stacey Rodgers Eley serves as Sunday Church School Superintendent.
During the week, the Tuesday Night Men's Bible Study meets at 7:00 p.m. via conference call. Reverend Summers teaches the Thursday Bible Study at 11:00 a.m. by conference call. The Friday Night Prayer Service meets at 7:00 p.m. by conference call. Deacon Gregory Horne leads the Saturday Bible Study at 10:00 a.m. The Dorcas Auxiliary sponsors a 9:00 a.m. Monday morning call-in prayer line, open to all members.
Ministries That Walk into the Community
Providence maintains eleven standing ministries. The Children's Ministry coordinates activities for the church's children and plans Children's Day, typically celebrated on the third Sunday in June. The Evangelism Ministry spreads the Good News through initiatives like Take It to the Streets, the annual Church-Wide March, and Christmas caroling. The Family Life Ministry plans programs and activities in conjunction with the Board of Christian Education that meet the needs of youth, children, adults, and families in the church and the surrounding community.
The HIV/AIDS Ministry provides spiritual support for people living with HIV and their families, shows compassion and understanding as they cope with the disease, increases awareness through prevention education for all ages, and assists in seeking medical and emotional support. The Committee for the Homeless supports homeless individuals and families by cooking, buying, and serving food at homeless shelters throughout the year, providing care packages that include water, snacks, cleaning products, clothing, toiletries, and blankets. The committee has historically led the church in adopting several families through the Agape House Angel Tree Program at Christmas and is well known for its spring candy sale, which raises funds for homeless individuals, families, and shelters.
The Missionary Society spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ through worship service, religious education, and financial support, improving the quality of life by meeting the physical and spiritual needs of persons locally, nationally, and internationally. The Multimedia Ministry communicates the Good News through sound, visual, and audio means. The Visionettes Liturgical Dance Ministry, a third generation of children and youth who minister through dance, spreads the gospel through dance to Providence, other churches, and the community.
The Women's Ministry provides spiritual opportunities to strengthen the women of Providence, planning programs and retreats including the annual Women's Fellowship. The Young Adult Ministry supports adults between 18 and 35 as they navigate careers, dating and marriage, and social engagement while staying connected to Christ, planning college fairs and fellowship activities. The Youth Ministry focuses on young people ages 12 to 18, providing opportunities for worship, spiritual growth, and leadership through Unity Day, the Church-wide Institute, Graduation Celebration, Vacation Bible Church School, Sunday Church School, the annual Church Summer Fellowship, and the Lott Carey Baptist Youth Seminar.
Clubs Named for the Pastors Who Led Them
Providence's clubs carry the names and legacies of its pastors. The David E. Over Service Club, named for the first pastor, emphasizes service to the youth and the elderly through activities like Seniors' Day, a fall trip to Sight and Sound Theater, the Mother Daughter Brunch, dinner service at Christopher's Place, and the Providence Memorial Booklet for Memorial Sunday. The Dorcas Auxiliary provides outreach services and fellowship, visiting nursing homes, supporting Golden Gleamers, distributing Christmas gifts for nursing home patients, and planning Everybody's Birthday.
The Douglas E. Summers Progressive Workers' Club, named for the current pastor, promotes spiritual growth through deeds of good will: serving dinner at Christopher's Place, making Christmas fruit baskets for shut-in members, and an annual brunch cruise. The Marcus G. Wood Fellowship Club, named for the third pastor, carries the theme Carry Your Corner, supports Unity Day and the White Gift Project, and aids members during bereavement. The Men's Fellowship includes all the men of the church, the Floral Club tends the church's flowers, and the Joint Usher Board & Nurses' Unit serves before, during, and after services including funerals.
The V.A.R. (Vision, Action, and Recreation) Club, founded in 1972, brings middle-aged adults together for Christian fellowship, social outlet, and service activities.
Three Scholarships, One Commitment to Education
The Scholarships & Grant Committee administers three funds. The Edna Over Campbell Scholarship was established in 1985 by the late Mrs. Edna Over Campbell, daughter of the first pastor and twelfth national president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., to assist the youth of Providence in meeting the financial needs of post-high school education. The Juanita Jones Williams Scholarship was established in 1998 from the personal estate of Deaconess Juanita Jones Williams, an English and drama educator for more than forty years, to support students in their quest to further their education and training. The Marcus Garvey Wood and Bessie Hazle Wood Education Grant was renamed after the third pastor and his wife, life-long learners who believed strongly in equal opportunities for African Americans. Reverend Wood, a Maryland civil rights icon, was the classmate of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. at Crozer Theological Seminary. He and Mrs. Wood hosted national leaders including Mrs. Rosa Parks in their home and church during the Civil Rights Movement. Applications for all three funds open February 1 and close May 31 each year.
A Separate Nonprofit: The Adult Day Care Center
During the late 1980s, Reverend Wood read an article in the Baltimore Sun about the need for adult day care services in west Baltimore and the possibility of the church filling that need. This inspired the establishment in 1991 of the Providence Adult Day Care Center, Inc., a separate nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity with its own Board of Directors. Construction was completed in November 1996, and the first participants were enrolled in June 1997. The one-million-dollar, state-of-the-art center provided routine health services and social activities within a comfortable, home-like setting for the elderly, including breakfast, hot lunch, a snack each day, arts and crafts classes, sing-a-longs, trips to fairs and shows, and daily transportation to and from the center. At its peak the center enrolled 71 participants, many of whom were medically and emotionally vulnerable community members who found in the center a community of caring.
Leadership, Stewardship, and Giving
Day-to-day governance is shared among the Board of Deacons, the Board of Trustees, and the Board of Christian Education, alongside the Finance Committee and Personnel Committee. The Board of Deacons, chaired by Deacon Denise Ruffin, assists the pastor with the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, oversees the membership, and provides spiritual leadership across the church's ministry. The Board of Trustees, chaired by trustee Ernest Eley, Jr., holds the church's material possessions in trust and supports the mission with practical and financial stewardship. The Board of Christian Education, chaired by Sister Shirley Bolding, unifies all of the Christian education activities within the church.
Providence describes stewardship as the proper management and planning of the resources loaned by God, and the church encourages members to consider what they give of their time, their talents, and their treasure. Tithes and offerings can be given by cash during services, by check or money order mailed to the church, and online through PayPal at paypal.me/pbc1401. All donations are tax-deductible under the church's 501(c)(3) status, and Providence provides annual tax statements.
Worship, Bible study, prayer, and the church's many ministries are open to anyone who wishes to join in. The Psalm that orients the church's hospitality comes from Luke 13:29: People will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down at the feast in the Kingdom of God. Providence's history is rich, and the congregation looks forward to the blessings and challenges God has in store.