Commemorative Chapel Issue

God has blessed us with so much to celebrate this anniversary year! Six decades in ministry is a big accomplishment and we thank our founding father, Johnny Zenoni, for his vision and obedience in starting Providence Home back in 1963, and for all those who came alongside Johnny over the many years to sustain the mission and continue to grow it after his passing in 1993.   While much has changed since Zenoni started our mission with eight men on a farm in Lexington County, our focus on Jesus Christ in the ministering of men has never wavered.    We recently learned from Zenoni’s family that he dreamed of building a chapel for “his men.” It was a dream shared by our Executive Director Rob Settle who worked over the years with our amazing board of directors to make it a reality.   The William “Bill” Cogdill Memorial Chapel was officially opened and dedicated on April 17, 2023. God granted us a stunning (albeit windy!) day in which to gather and dedicate the chapel to the Lord.    Here’s a look back on our chapel build in this special keepsake Chapel Grand Opening edition: Click here for a printable version of our commemorative issue.

Altar and Consecration

The Providence Home Board of Directors spent years saving and planning to build a chapel on our campus. When at last the time came, our staff felt compelled to consecrate the ground on which the chapel was to be built and erect an altar to the Lord.

THE FIRST ALTAR And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner... Exodus 17:15

Our hearts’ desire from the very start was to dedicate this sacred spot to Him and to publicly proclaim that Providence Home is His ministry, and to acknowledge we are nothing apart from Him. So on a hot August afternoon in 2021, Providence Home staff, board members, and resident men, gathered together to praise Jesus Christ, bless the ground and build an altar in His name.

That altar is now on permanent display in our chapel’s Rob Settle Foyer. Sealed inside are the praises and prayer requests we slipped in between the rocks that special August evening two years ago.

Groundbreaking

Summer turned to fall and on October 4, 2021, we invited the community to our campus for our official chapel groundbreaking.  We were blessed to share this special moment with so many wonderful friends and supporters as well as some “VIPs” who picked up a shovel for the ceremonial break.

We are grateful for the support of South Carolina Department of Public Safety Director Rob Woods; South Carolina Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling; Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott; Columbia City Police Chief Skip Holbrook; Greater Irmo Area Chamber of Commerce President Kerry Powers, area legislators including former Representative Chip Huggins, pastors, and of course, our board!

The chapel groundbreaking kicked off our unique Faith and Football celebration that featured Gamecock great Connor Shaw and Clemson standout Patrick McClure.

Full Speed Ahead

In February 2022, the building contract for the chapel was officially signed and soon, the trucks rolled in!

Day by day, week by week, we watched in awe and joyful anticipation as the ground was prepared and the foundation laid.

Trust The Process

For the next year, the chapel slowly but surely came to life. It was such a blessing to watch our friends with the Burriss Building team make so much progress!

As the outside took shape, Rob Settle worked with our friends from Sound and Images, board member Matt Thompson, and interior designer Mandy Summers Smith to make the inside worship space comforting, beautiful and peaceful.

The Ceremony

Finally, that beautiful April day arrived, and our chapel was officially opened! We are so grateful to so many for that amazing day, but thanks in particular to our former longtime board chairman, Bill Cogdill, for whom our chapel is named; Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller Kissam whose powerful remarks inspired us all; our friends in law enforcement especially Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and Director Rob Woods from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety; Columbia Mayor Dan Rickenmann and for the beautiful music by Allen Smoak and delicious lunch provided by Willie Brooks of Comfort Scratch Kitchen.

Grateful For Our Superstar Sponsors

Thank you to these special sponsors who continue to bless Providence Home:

Providence Home | Website

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