|
|
Church History
In 1881, a small group of Christians came together to form the
nucleus for what would later be called the Tabernacle Baptist
Church. Led by the Rev. J. Countee, they, along with others, had
migrated to Kansas from Louisiana and Tennessee seeking greater
religious expression and economic and social opportunity. While some
in the group, including the Rev. Countee, settled in other parts of
Kansas, this group moved to Wichita.
In 1883, the Rev. Countee joined the group for a period to organize
the church formally. The name Tabernacle, interpreted "A Haven of
Rest," originated from the mother church in Memphis, Tennessee, now
called Beale Street Baptist. Located at 900 N. Water, Tabernacle was
housed in a two-story residence, which the Rev. Countee had rented
for the group prior to his coming to Wichita. The house served both
as a sanctuary and a parsonage for the Rev. R.C. McTurner, the young
minister sent by the Rev. Countee to pastor the church. This house
served the congregation until 1897 when the Rev. John Van Leu, who
had been appointed by the National Baptist Convention as General
Missionary for the State of Kansas, donated to the church two lots
at 8th and Water. On these lots the first building, later known as
the "Little White-Washed, Weather-Beaten Church," was constructed.
Though there are few written records of the early church prior to
1940, it is clear that several pastors, to whom we owe a great debt,
served Tabernacle (See Shepherds of the Flock). In 1940, the Rev. F.
K. Simon was called to pastor the church. Early in his pastorate, a
parsonage and a three-room educational building were constructed,
and a sound budget/financial system was instituted. As the church
membership grew, auxiliaries were organized or expanded.
Additionally, the Southern Airs singing group was organized, and the
church's first radio program was aired on KFH. In 1951, plans were
drawn for a larger building, and in 1952, the groundbreaking
ceremony was held and the basement completed. However, as a result
of dissension among the membership, the building program was
discontinued.
In 1955, the Rev. U.W. Barron was called as pastor. The years of his
pastorate became known as "the golden years of the church." During
his first year, all debts of the church were paid, and a new
parsonage was purchased and furnished. By the end of 1955, the
church membership had outgrown the building. A recommendation was
made and approved to purchase the property at 17th and Volutsia and
later to expand the church.
Thus, "Operation Hilltop" was launched. In February 1956, the
Tabernacle Baptist Church moved to 17th and Volutsia. In 1957, the
church purchased additional property north of its property line for
parking. The membership continued to grow, and in August 1958, a
recommendation was made and approved to build a new sanctuary. The
debt for the building and property was paid in full on April 5,
1959, and the groundbreaking ceremony for the new sanctuary was held
on July 19, 1959. In March 1961, the 1,000 members of Tabernacle
entered the new sanctuary.
During Rev. Barron's pastorate, several auxiliaries of the church
were established and strengthened, particularly the youth and
children's departments. Additionally, a church cafeteria and credit
union were established. In 1967, as a result of a car accident, Rev.
U.W. Barron, beloved pastor of Tabernacle, passed from labor to
reward.
In 1968, the Rev. Wallace S. Hartfield accepted the call to pastor.
Under his pastorate, the church's mortgage was paid, and a new
parsonage was built. Additionally, the Hostess and Scholarship
Committees were organized, and other auxiliaries were expanded and
strengthened. In 1972, the Rev. Hartfield resigned to return to the
Metropolitan Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri.
In 1973, the Rev. Willis C. Thomas, Jr., noted preacher and
evangelist, accepted the call to pastor the Tabernacle Baptist
Church. Under his pastorate, a church office was built and equipped;
the pastor's office was remodeled; the mortgage on the parsonage was
paid; and twelve men acknowledged their call to the ministry. In
1976, the Rev. Thomas resigned to accept the call to pastor Unity
Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Rev. John Edwards served as interim pastor of the Tabernacle
Baptist Church from 1976 -1977. Under the leadership of the Rev.
Edwards the church continued to grow. Also a 15-passenger van, robes
for the choir members and carpet for the sanctuary were purchased.
In 1977, the Rev. Dr. Lloyd D. Hall, Jr. accepted the call to
pastor. Under his pastorate the Baptist Training Union, Sunday
School, Board of Christian Education, Music Department, Youth
Church, Usher Board and Women's Mission Union were strengthened.
Additionally, during 1978 and 1979, the following improvements were
made: construction of the walk-in chapel, remodeling of the U.W.
Barron Memorial Chapel, restrooms, undercroft, kitchen and dining
areas. In 1981, Rev. Hall led the church in celebrating the 100th
anniversary using the theme: "We've Come This Far By Faith." In
1986, Rev. Hall resigned as pastor of the church.
The Rev. Lincoln Eugene Montgomery, assistant pastor, served as
interim pastor until accepting the call to pastor the Tabernacle
Baptist Church in August 1987. Under his pastorate, the Tabernacle
Baptist Church has experienced a great spiritual awakening.
Approximately 1300 members have been added to the church; 19 men and
women have acknowledged their call to the ministry, and the
Tabernacle Baptist Church family has given birth to a new, though
ageless, paradigm. Clearly based on God's Word, it is one that
focuses not on auxiliaries and committees, but on the call to
ministry. It is grounded in the knowledge that each member of the
body of Christ is endowed with God-given gifts, and since God is the
gift-giver, it is God Himself who best determines one's ministry
fit. As a result, members in Tabernacle are not voted into positions
but are placed according to their gifts, passion and personal style.
Additionally, during Rev. Montgomery's pastorate, the Family
Ministry (this includes the Young Adult, Senior Adult, Singles,
Couples and Parenting Ministries as well as several Support Groups,
and the Family Life Counseling Center), and the Creative
Communications Ministry have been established. Other ministries have
been renewed, expanded and strengthened.
Recognizing the call of the church to minister to the "least, the
last and the lost," Rev. Montgomery has led the church in setting
aside 10% of its budget for benevolence and 5% each for
Children/Youth Ministry and Senior Adult Ministry. Tabernacle
Baptist Church has been blessed to contribute over $1.5 million in
the last 13 years to national, state and local causes, emergency
relief and mission. The church has also been actively involved in
community outreach with continuing and focused evangelistic efforts.
In addition to ongoing spiritual growth opportunities, the church
also offers annual and biennial conferences and retreats. The Music
Ministry of the church is known for its original productions, and
the youth choir has just released its first CD, "Back to the Wall."
Approximately one million dollars has been expended to completely
renovate the existing building and equipment. Future plans call for
the addition of a Family Life Center to include a gymnasium,
counseling center, classrooms, day care center, and additional
office space. The vision of Rev. Montgomery also includes
aggressively reaching out to a troubled generation of young people
and more effectively ministering to the needs of senior adults in
the form of housing and meeting social as well as spiritual needs.
The goal, according to Rev. Montgomery, "is to do nothing less than
to be used of God to bring healing to a hurting world."
|
|