Mt. Providence Baptist Church was first organized in 1888 in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church under Reverend F.M. Jackson. For a time, the congregation met in different churches, homes, and brush arbors. On April 19, 1890, trustees S.M. McIntire, Green Wright, and Henry Cook purchased land for the church, and in 1890 a small building was constructed with Reverend McIntire serving as the first minister. Services were then held once a month, but by 1902 expansion was necessary. During weekdays, the newly built classrooms were used to accommodate students at Blackshear School. In the early days, ministers preached at several different churches in a pattern similar to circuit rider preachers, and baptisms were held less frequently at the pool near the old Harbison-Walker Brickyard during the summer. After World War II, the government sold military buildings, and the church purchased a building from Camp Fannin near Tyler. The old barracks became the new church home and was bricked several years later. During the 1950s, Reverend J.C. Delly became the first full-time pastor, and improvements included an indoor baptismal pool and a small organ. Under Pastor C.C. Taylor, a fellowship hall was added and the church interior was improved. Today, the church is a large part of the community through donations to the sick and those in need, contributions to scholarship funds, visits to nursing homes, donations to the African Relief Fund, distribution of Christmas Cheer Baskets, and operation of an in-house food pantry.