TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH

The history of the Tabernacle Baptist Church enables us to keep alive the yesteryears, to open the gates to its rapidly expanding present and to pave the broad highway leading in Tabernacle's unlimited future. The 124th Anniversary Celebration is the continuation of a dream born in 1886. Tabernacle, at its inception, began meeting as a Christian family in a small white wooden church on 25th Place, North.

1886 – 1912 - The Reverends Sims, Grover and Kenny nurtured the dream with evangelistic zest and sound Baptist Doctrines.
1912-1926 - The Rev. M.F. Washington inspired the construction of a $65,000 sanctuary at 1013 North 25th Street. By 1922, the membership of 400 completed the building and burned the mortgage.
1927-1932 - The Rev. J.H.L. Smith extended the building program to construct a parsonage on the church site.
1932 – 1940 - The Reverend E.W. Walton focused on the spiritual revival and unity of the membership.
1940 – 1949 - The Rev. W.L. Varnado burned the mortgage on the parsonage, renovated the basement, restrooms and kitchen; added a rear upstairs wing to the church.
1949 – 1954 - The Rev. William Prince Vaughn purchased an organ with chimes, organized the William Prince Vaughn Chorus, and purchased a mural for the sanctuary. 1955 – 1956 - The Rev. W.B. Coats encouraged growth by affiliating with the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. on the national, state, and local levels.
1956 – 1963 - The Rev. J.H. Calloway became pastor and the congregation purchased property on Center Street at a cost of $50,000, the location of our current edifice. The Altar Circle was organized for the purpose of beautifying the sanctuary with live flowers.
1963 – The Rev. Samuel Kyles was called. Ill health prevented him from assuming duties as pastor.
1964 – 1971 - The Rev. Moses Javis provided leadership of fruition: A parsonage was purchased at 813 Bolin Street, Southwest at a cost of $22,500. In 1968, the present sanctuary was constructed at a cost of $325,000.
1971 – 1975 – The Rev. Henry Wise Jones sustained the spiritual development, initiated the building fund and added a new organ.
1976 – 2002 – The Rev. Edsel M. Davis, Sr., was called as pastor.
Under his leadership:

1. Parsonage was enlarged, fellowship hall and kitchen were constructed and the mortgage was liquidated on the sanctuary (renovated seating and carpeting) and on the fellowship hall/family life center
2. Additional property was purchased on First Street West
3. Missionary Ministry was enlarged to include Outreach programs known as the Helping Han Center that included a food pantry and clothes bank
4. The Golden Agers and Nurses Guild programs were organized
5. Youth Church was organized, updated the kitchen, purchased drums, organ, and piano
6. Mini-van purchased and Bus Ministry was expanded
7. Louis S. Sommerville, Sr. Library was constructed and organized
8. Parking lot was resurfaced and lawn furniture was purchased
9. Tabernacle Christian School was organized
10. Licensed five persons into the Gospel Ministry

2003 – Present – The Rev. Dr. Christopher M. Hamlin was asked to serve as Interim Pastor. A call was extended to him and he became pastor the 15th pastor of Tabernacle January 2004.

New ministries have been established, including more prominently Project Ghana, a 2006 10-day mission trip to Accra and Winneba, Ghana, Africa that focused on a women’s summit. A partnership has been established with Chief Neenyi Ghartey of Winneba, Pastor Daniel Oppong-Brobbey of Word Miracle Church International, Comfort Boison, of the University of Winneba.

In partnership with the people of Winneba, Tabernacle will assist in building a community library on the main thoroughfare of Winneba. This long-term project will enable Tabernacle to assist this fishing village to secure resources to better educate its children and community. This project is long-term meaning there will be additional mission trips to Ghana to lead more summits that focus on Christian education and issues that concern men, women, and youth.

Tabernacle established a relationship with the Firehouse Shelter for Men by providing the meal every 5th Saturday. Also, the congregation, in partnership with five other churches from Smithfield and College Hills, is partnering with Jefferson County Meals-on-Wheels to distribute food to person in need in these two communities.

Our Music Ministry was highlighted by singing the music of Disney’s The Lion King at the premiere announcement of its coming to the BJCC. In 2006 our choirs performed at City Stages on the Oasis Stage.

The congregation continues to grow and share its resources with those in need while being a center for worship and spiritual development.

Our Mission Statement could easily be: Tabernacle Baptist Church is a group of committed Christians seeking to grow the kingdom of God by worshiping, teaching, witnessing, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and caring for all God's people.