Charles in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Providence Mennonite Church

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 31, 2010

1. Providence Mennonite Church Marker

Inscription. In 1897, a group of largely Midwestern Amish and Mennonite families, attracted by inexpensive farmland and rich timberland located near the growing urban center of Newport News, moved here to found the Mennonite Colony, an agrarian religious community. In 1900, David Z. Yoder, a minister and a founder of the colony, assisted several Amish families in establishing the Providence Amish Mennonite denomination here at Oyster Point. Christian K. Miller was the chief carpenter for the simple wood-frame church, which was built of locally harvested pine on land acquired from the Jones family. The church was moved and renovated in 1975 when Warwick Boulevard was widened.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-73.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 37° 6.502′ N, 76° 30.929′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Charles. Marker is on Warwick Boulevard (U.S. 60) 0.2 miles east of Menchville Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or

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near this postal address: 13101 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News VA 23602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Young’s Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Young’s Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mathews Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Young’s Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Peninsula Defense Line (approx. 0.2 miles away); Denbigh Parish (approx. 0.4 miles away); Two USCT Heroes (approx. 0.9 miles away); Reflecting a Changing Society (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Providence Mennonite Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 31, 2010

2. Providence Mennonite Church

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,081 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.