God’s Providence

As the Chapel’s fiftieth anniversary approaches, I have enjoyed delving into our church’s history and the primary source of this past information is a book entitled, The Saga of

the Chapel in the Pines; Twenty-five Years.  If you would like a copy we still have them in Susan’s office to share with you.

As I was flipping the pages I noticed the picture of a familiar face, that of Reverend Bob Bundy, my family’s former pastor at Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Robbins.  It seems that Bob also served as one of the rotating monthly preachers here at the Chapel beginning in 2001.  Here’s an excerpt about Bob from our history book…

“Later he was appointed to Swan Quarter, N.C. as a circuit pastor for four churches named Providence, Epworth, Soule, and Fairfield in Eastern North Carolina.  The Providence church in Swan Quarter was featured in Readers Digest and Guideposts when hurricane floodwaters lifted it and moved it three blocks, turning two corners and settling on a lot that the congregation had tried to buy but the owner wouldn’t sell…”

had tried to buy but the owner wouldn’t sell…”

And, I thought, WOW! I’ve just got to know more about this! So, thanks to Chloe Tuttle who writes Chloe’s Blog and Doris Battle who posted an article on the North Carolina Traveler website…here’s the scoop.

In 1874 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South attempted to buy a lot on which to build a church.  A lot was selected because it was in the heart of town and on the town’s highest spot.  Since almost all of Hyde County is barely above sea level, the lot’s elevation was important to the members.  The problem was that this particular lot was owned by Mr. Sam Sadler and he refused to sell.  However, hearing this news, another near-by lot was gifted to the Methodists by Mr. James W. Hayes and construction on the wooden church began.

The building was completed in 1876 and on September 16th of that year, on the very eve of the dedication service, a big storm was brewing just off the coast. The next day Hurricane San Felipe brought wind and a rising tide that left the town of Swan Quarter under five feet of water.  It was then that the newly completed church building began floating down Oyster Creek Road, bumped into a general store owned by Mr. George V. Credle, made a right turn, traveled two more blocks, crossed the Carowan Canal, and plopped itself down in the middle of Mr. Sam Sadler’s lot…on the exact spot where the congregation originally wanted it to be. 

Seeing God’s providence in action and realizing that there was a mightier power than man ruling the universe, Mr. Sadler decided to sell so that the church could remain right where God placed it.  When the church was finally dedicated it’s name was changed to Providence United Methodist Church.

Now, for you doubters out there…this story is true.  It is attested to by an eye witness, Mrs. Lelia Brinn in a legal affidavit in 1939.

After the completion of a large brick church in 1913 the original wooden one was sold and used as a barn by its owner.  However, in the 1940’s the church was purchased by two sisters, Mrs. Lucy Berry Langston and Mrs. Pearl Berry Smith and presented as a memorial to the trustees of Providence United Methodist Church and is now known as 

the Berry Memorial Building.  It presently serves as a fellowship hall and several Sunday School classrooms.

Now, as I continue to read the history of this Chapel it is also evident…perhaps not in such a dramatic way as the little church in Swan Quarter…that our church has also had many moments in its fifty years where God’s providence has stepped in to show the way forward.  Over the years God’s hand has guided the leaders and the members of this church and brought us to where we are today.  Let us all pray that God’s Holy Spirit will empower us to preserve, protect, and expand the ministries of this church as a witness to God’s providential wisdom, love, and care.