Near Vesuvius in Augusta County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
New Providence Church
This church, seven and a half miles west, was organized by John Blair in 1746. Five successive church buildings have been erected. The first pastor was John Brown. Samuel Brown, second pastor, had as wife Mary Moore, captured in youth by Indians and known as "The Captive of Abb's Valley." The synod of Virginia was organized here, 1788.
Erected 1939 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number A-39.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the American Presbyterian and Reformed Historic Sites, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1746.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 55.567′ N, 79° 12.114′ W. Marker was near Vesuvius, Virginia, in Augusta County. Marker was at the intersection of Lee Jackson Highway (U.S. 11) and Tye River Turnpike (Virginia Route 56), on the right when traveling north on Lee Jackson Highway. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 14 Tye River Turnpike, Vesuvius VA 24483, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named New Providence Church (here, next to this marker); Rockbridge County / Augusta County (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Virginia Inventors (approx. 0.2 miles away); Walnut Grove (approx. ¾ mile away); The Marl Creek Interpretive Trail (approx. ¾ mile away); Cyrus H. McCormick (approx. 0.8 miles away); Old Providence Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); New Providence Presbyterian Church (approx. 5.7 miles away).
Regarding New Providence Church. New Providence Presbyterian Church is one of 445 American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Sites registered between 1973 and 2003 by the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS), headquartered in Philadelphia. Approved sites received a metal plaque featuring John Calvin’s seal and the site’s registry number (PHS marker location unknown).
The following text is taken from the Presbyterian Historical Society website:
Organized in 1746 by Rev. John Blair, New Providence Church hosted the first meeting of the Synod of Virginia. The congregation also played an active role in the organization of Lexington Presbytery. Members of the church formed the earliest known Virginia missionary society, the Female Benevolent Society of the New Providence Congregation, on November 24, 1819. The congregation erected its fifth and current church building in 1859.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Also see . . . New Providence History. New Providence Presbyterian Church website entry (Submitted on February 1, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,067 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on August 20, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on November 27, 2011, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania.