April 29 Today in OPC History

Providence Presbyterian Church grew out of a Wednesday evening Bible study through the book of Ephesians that began in 1980 in the city of Austin, TX. Grace OPC in San Antonio was the mother church of this daughter work. The pastor of Grace, Rev. Jack Peterson, drove back and forth between the two cities to lead the Bible study meetings and the subsequent Sunday worship services. The Lord blessed the labors of Rev. Peterson and the core group to the point that a search for a full time pastor became necessary in April 1981. Less than a year later Rev. Gerald S. Taylor from South Dakota was called to be the organizing pastor of Austin Chapel as God continued to give growth and multiply His grace to this new local body.

Austin Chapel celebrated the Lord’s Supper for the first time on March 14, 1982, while Pastor Taylor continued to faithfully preach the gospel and teach the whole counsel of God. The work grew in numbers steadily so that by December 1983 there were 29 communicant members and 13 non-communicant covenant children on the rolls. Early in 1983 Pastor Taylor began officer training with several men through the study of God’s Word and our standards. On March 4, 1984, the session of Grace OPC ordained and installed Mr. James Van Dam to the office of elder and Mr. Christopher Bennett and Mr. James Morgan to the office of deacon.

On April 29, 1984, a particularization service was held by the Presbytery of the Dakotas in Austin, TX where Austin Chapel was officially received as a particular congregation of the OPC. At this service Rev. Taylor was called as the church’s first pastor and Mr. Van Dam, Mr. Bennett, and Mr. Morgan were installed as her first officers. In early April, prior to this service, the name “Providence Presbyterian Church” was chosen as the body’s official name to reflect the reality that unless the Lord builds the house the builders labor in vain. We glory in Christ who builds His church by His Word and Spirit and in God’s Holy providence as now 33 years later Providence OPC continues to serve her only King, Jesus, and His glory in the Austin area.

Picture: Pastor Gerald and Paula Taylor