Providence-Fort Washington United Methodist Church
10610 Old Fort Road, Fort Washington, Prince George's County, Maryland 20744
Page last updated 4 August 2022.
In 1870, seven brothers in Christ (William H. Townsend, Samuel C. Thorn, William W. Sansbury, William H. Martin, Alexander Renoe, Thomas R. Halley, and William H. Adams) formed a "Trusteeship" and purchased a one and one-half acre plot of land from Mrs. Matilda Sansbury on March 12, 1870 for $20. The first Providence church was named the Providence Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and was built within a year.
The first Church House was located at 12001 Old Fort Road in the Chapel Hill Community. The church was built by the members; many of the furnishings were handmade and donated by the members. The early silver communion service was still on display for many years. Its pastors were "circuit riders" on either the old Marlboro Circuit or another circuit with Shiloh Church in Charles County. Around 1896, the Providence and Shiloh churches were included in the Forest Grove circuit. A small cemetery was developed at that site.
In 1901, the Providence Family took action to relocate the church in the Friendly "settlement" at 10700 Old Fort Road. Samuel M. and Mary Sorels donated land to the congregation on June 21, 1901. The new "Little" Church (now a Prince George's County Historical Site) was built and the cornerstone was laid in 1903. The first service was held on Christmas Day of that same year.
In 1905, the church was put on the Waldorf-Prince George charge with the parsonage in Waldorf. The addition of a second cemetery was begun in the church yard. The small "country church" grew as more homes were built in the community. By 1938 the need for a Sunday School addition was affirmed, and under the leadership of Reverend Charles Clinton Bush, a building fund was begun. Reverend Arthur L. Hunter continued the plans and the first Sunday School rooms were added in 1940. The first dinner was held in the church April 1940. The site of the old church was sold, and the old cemetery was enclosed with a fence (and is still maintained today).
Shortly after, the Baltimore Conference ordered that the church's name be changed to Providence United Methodist Church. In 1947, Providence was taken from the Prince George's circuit and shared Reverend Richard D. Ames with Bells Methodist in Camp Springs. By 1951, Providence had a pastor of its own and could hold more frequent services; the congregation had again outgrown the building, and more classrooms, a kitchen and a fellowship hall were added.
It was in the 1960s that the Friendly-Fort Washington area saw the beginning of rapid growth. By the early 1970s, this rural area of Prince George's County was becoming suburban.
There was no more room in the "inn". Under the leadership of Reverend C. Gordon Clews, the present Colonial Church House, patterned after the Burton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, was completed in 1979. The first worship service was held in the new sanctuary on Mother's Day. The debt was retired in 12 years, and during the first part of the 2000s, the Congregation contributed the needed funds to build the new Education Wing.
In 1998, the "Little" Church and education rooms were restored. For several years, it was re-consecrated as the Providence Christian Community Service Center, providing a Youth Center and two Fellowship Halls for the church family and community outreach ministries. The Fellowship Halls are still used today.
In July 2002, the church officially became a "Blended Parish" with the addition of the Fort Washington United Methodist Family. The name was again changed, this time to Providence-Fort Washington United Methodist Church.
Separate pages have been created for both the Old Providence cemetery and the Providence cemetery.
REFERENCES:
The first Church House was located at 12001 Old Fort Road in the Chapel Hill Community. The church was built by the members; many of the furnishings were handmade and donated by the members. The early silver communion service was still on display for many years. Its pastors were "circuit riders" on either the old Marlboro Circuit or another circuit with Shiloh Church in Charles County. Around 1896, the Providence and Shiloh churches were included in the Forest Grove circuit. A small cemetery was developed at that site.
In 1901, the Providence Family took action to relocate the church in the Friendly "settlement" at 10700 Old Fort Road. Samuel M. and Mary Sorels donated land to the congregation on June 21, 1901. The new "Little" Church (now a Prince George's County Historical Site) was built and the cornerstone was laid in 1903. The first service was held on Christmas Day of that same year.
In 1905, the church was put on the Waldorf-Prince George charge with the parsonage in Waldorf. The addition of a second cemetery was begun in the church yard. The small "country church" grew as more homes were built in the community. By 1938 the need for a Sunday School addition was affirmed, and under the leadership of Reverend Charles Clinton Bush, a building fund was begun. Reverend Arthur L. Hunter continued the plans and the first Sunday School rooms were added in 1940. The first dinner was held in the church April 1940. The site of the old church was sold, and the old cemetery was enclosed with a fence (and is still maintained today).
Shortly after, the Baltimore Conference ordered that the church's name be changed to Providence United Methodist Church. In 1947, Providence was taken from the Prince George's circuit and shared Reverend Richard D. Ames with Bells Methodist in Camp Springs. By 1951, Providence had a pastor of its own and could hold more frequent services; the congregation had again outgrown the building, and more classrooms, a kitchen and a fellowship hall were added.
It was in the 1960s that the Friendly-Fort Washington area saw the beginning of rapid growth. By the early 1970s, this rural area of Prince George's County was becoming suburban.
There was no more room in the "inn". Under the leadership of Reverend C. Gordon Clews, the present Colonial Church House, patterned after the Burton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, was completed in 1979. The first worship service was held in the new sanctuary on Mother's Day. The debt was retired in 12 years, and during the first part of the 2000s, the Congregation contributed the needed funds to build the new Education Wing.
In 1998, the "Little" Church and education rooms were restored. For several years, it was re-consecrated as the Providence Christian Community Service Center, providing a Youth Center and two Fellowship Halls for the church family and community outreach ministries. The Fellowship Halls are still used today.
In July 2002, the church officially became a "Blended Parish" with the addition of the Fort Washington United Methodist Family. The name was again changed, this time to Providence-Fort Washington United Methodist Church.
Separate pages have been created for both the Old Providence cemetery and the Providence cemetery.
REFERENCES:
- Providence-Fort Washington United Methodist Church history (edited). Available at http://pfwumc.org/about-us/church-history. Cemetery descriptions compiled from various sources.
- Maryland Historical Trust. “Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties.” Inventory No. PG: 81B-11. Available at https://mht.maryland.gov/secure/medusa/PDF/PrinceGeorges/PG;81B-11.pdf.
- Prince George’s County Genealogical Society [Sargent, Jean A. editor]. (1984). Stones and Bones: Cemetery Records of Prince George's County Maryland.
- Prince George’s County Genealogical Society. (2012). Murray Funeral Home Records, Washington, DC, volumes 1-5, 1890-1945.
- Daughters of the American Revolution Toaping Castle Chapter tombstone project. (1955).