o r i g i n
For three months in the spring of 1982, founding Pastors Pasco (Pat) and Mary Ann Manzo held a Bible study at his parents' home at 7 Elvira Street in North Providence. The very first night an awesome thing happened. They set up 26 chairs and 26 people came! After a few services, there were so many people in attendance that the house became full. They prayed that God would lead them to a building.
On the first Sunday of June in 1982, NPAG officially began Sunday services at 1995 Smith Street in North Providence. RENT FREE! At first it was quite a sight. There was an eight-foot broken down bingo machine up on the wall, which they replaced with a cross to the glory of God. Everyone pulled together and remodeled the place, and soon it was a beautiful house of the Lord! They stayed there a year and a half; never having a bill, or even having to pay for a light bulb. The town custodian maintained the whole building. David Livingston said, “The Lord's work, done the Lord's way, will always have the Lord's provision.”
One memory that stands out was the time spent at the altars on Saturday nights. Prayer is what made NPAG what it was and still is today. One night a desperate, suicidal woman came into the prayer meeting. God divinely intervened. She was saved the next day and is still a member today.
In February of 1983, God spoke to Pastor Manzo’s heart at a Saturday night prayer service. God then told him that the church would acquire land, over 100 people would be in attendance and God would provide finances to begin building by the end of May. True to His promise, within three months, NPAG had acquired the land at 244 Lexington Avenue, $10,000 cash was raised for the foundation and 102 people were in attendance at the second Sunday service in May! All the men of the church worked hard together to clear the land of its trees, and the ladies kept the food coming. Wood construction began in September of 1983.
The church was refused a mortgage from four different banks but God had spoken. The church decided to build by FAITH and purchased by credit. As the bills piled up, Pastor Manzo went to a fifth bank. As he walked out of the bank, the Lord said, “You're all set. He's going to give you the mortgage.” He announced it to the church people that the loan would be accepted even before knowing it in the natural. God calls these things as if they were before they come into being (Isaiah 42:9). Miraculously, on January 1, 1984, just four months after the first piece of wood was delivered, they held a New Year's Day service in the beautiful new sanctuary! Praise God!
After 25 years of faithful service, founding Pastors Pat and Mary Ann Manzo resigned their position as Sr. Pastors of NPAG. On January 7, 2007, Pastor Tony Palow was installed as the new Sr. Pastor of North Providence Assembly. The story of NPAG continues to be His Story, and we believe THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
On the first Sunday of June in 1982, NPAG officially began Sunday services at 1995 Smith Street in North Providence. RENT FREE! At first it was quite a sight. There was an eight-foot broken down bingo machine up on the wall, which they replaced with a cross to the glory of God. Everyone pulled together and remodeled the place, and soon it was a beautiful house of the Lord! They stayed there a year and a half; never having a bill, or even having to pay for a light bulb. The town custodian maintained the whole building. David Livingston said, “The Lord's work, done the Lord's way, will always have the Lord's provision.”
One memory that stands out was the time spent at the altars on Saturday nights. Prayer is what made NPAG what it was and still is today. One night a desperate, suicidal woman came into the prayer meeting. God divinely intervened. She was saved the next day and is still a member today.
In February of 1983, God spoke to Pastor Manzo’s heart at a Saturday night prayer service. God then told him that the church would acquire land, over 100 people would be in attendance and God would provide finances to begin building by the end of May. True to His promise, within three months, NPAG had acquired the land at 244 Lexington Avenue, $10,000 cash was raised for the foundation and 102 people were in attendance at the second Sunday service in May! All the men of the church worked hard together to clear the land of its trees, and the ladies kept the food coming. Wood construction began in September of 1983.
The church was refused a mortgage from four different banks but God had spoken. The church decided to build by FAITH and purchased by credit. As the bills piled up, Pastor Manzo went to a fifth bank. As he walked out of the bank, the Lord said, “You're all set. He's going to give you the mortgage.” He announced it to the church people that the loan would be accepted even before knowing it in the natural. God calls these things as if they were before they come into being (Isaiah 42:9). Miraculously, on January 1, 1984, just four months after the first piece of wood was delivered, they held a New Year's Day service in the beautiful new sanctuary! Praise God!
After 25 years of faithful service, founding Pastors Pat and Mary Ann Manzo resigned their position as Sr. Pastors of NPAG. On January 7, 2007, Pastor Tony Palow was installed as the new Sr. Pastor of North Providence Assembly. The story of NPAG continues to be His Story, and we believe THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
