145 years of history at Tabernacle Baptist Church

SPECIAL TO THE STATE GAZETTE

Tabernacle Baptist Church will be celebrating its 145th year in Dyer County on August 31. To commemorate the milestone, here is a history of the church as provided by its present-day leadership.

Tabernacle Baptist Church in Dyersburg Tennessee was organized by a group of interested Black Baptists in the late1800s. The sincere and determined founders of the church rented and then dedicated an old-framed building, located south of Marrs Cleaners on East Market Street. Reverend Spencer Miller was called to pastor the group.

Within a short period of time, the church was informed that the property was to be used for the new location of the Dyer County Jail. These dedicated founders then sought and purchased, in 1880, an unfinished brick building at the west end of Baxter Street.

A few years later, the Reverend Morgan Holloway was called to pastor the congregation. Under his leadership, the membership outgrew its place of worship, so the old brick church was demolished, and construction began from the ground. A huge basement was constructed, and all church activities were held in the completed basement for a number of years. During this period of time in Tabernacle's history, the Rev. Charles Payne, Rev. L. Nelson, and Rev. F.H. Davis were the shepherds of the flock.

The Reverend F.H. Davis had a vision of building or buying an edifice to house the congregation. He then reorganized the financial system of the church. By 1940, the church had become financially secure enough to either begin the construction of the church's upper level on Baxter Street or move to a new location.

That year, Rev. Davis's vision became a reality; the Tabernacle Baptist Church acquired the former Grace Presbyterian Church, located at 532 East Cedar Street Rev. Davis had about 12 men who were deacons and strong supporters of his efforts and leadership.

Rev. M.H. Manney and subsequently Rev. W.C. Terry, followed the administration of Rev. Davis as pastor. Both pastors made commendable contributions toward the growth of the church. A baptistery was installed in the basement of the church and a new ceiling and steel supporters for the roof were installed. While supporting community outreach, offices for Drs. J.W. Moore and Vasco Smith, a medical doctor and a dentist were housed in the basement of the church.

In September of 1955, after the departure of Rev. Terry, Rev. George W. Tyus became the pastor of Tabernacle. Under Rev. Tyus's leadership, with Deacon Chairman Eric McCauley and Brother R.W. Waller, chairman of building and repairs, the sanctuary was completely renovated at a cost of $13,000. The baptistery was relocated and installed behind the choir stand.

The church's exterior was painted and new crystal-clear windows were installed, and new pews were purchased. A new parsonage was built and turned toward Baxter Street at a cost of $5800; Bro. G. Halliburton the contractor/carpenter. Supporting the community outreach, the office once used by Dr. Moore was transformed into a prayer room opened 24 hours a day.

Under Rev Tyus's leadership along with his deacon and trustee ministries, an educational section and dining area were added to the existing structure. The loan contract of $20,000 was paid in full then the contract was burned in September of 1969.

Under Rev. Tyus's leadership, Tabernacle began its first Bus Ministry with the purchase of an old yellow school bus that was painted white. Also, under Rev.Tyus a parking lot was purchased by verbal agreement on the east side comer of Horton Avenue and Cedar Street A 1979 15-passenger van was purchased and spearheaded by J.L. Singleton.

All working members were asked to pledge $100. The church pews were sanded and coated with a shellac primer around 1970 then about 1O years later the pew was cushioned. In 1980, Rev. Tyus had a yearning desire for a glass wall at the front entrance of the church to be installed before he retired. On behalf of the deacon and trustee ministry backed by the support of the church; his desire was answered.

Rev. G.W. Tyus retired in 1984 after 29 years of dedicated pastoral leadership. His retirement service was on August 27, at 3 p.m. During those 29 years, he had 21 deacons to serve under him. Rev. Barry S Taylor followed after Rev Tyus. He served from the fall of 1984 to the Spring of 1985.

In September of 1985, Rev. Lum Woodard Jr. became the pastor of Tabernacle. He voiced his concern about how bad the church looked due to neglect. He led the church in a "do it yourself” cosmetic fix-up of the sanctuary which motivated the enthusiasm with a strong sense of spiritual purpose.

After learning that the church had the desire to build a new church, Rev. Woodard started to make it happen. He was told by two older members of the church who had popular positions in the city, that the church would never be able to purchase the land they had their eye on. Rev. Woodard didn't let that information stop him. In 1987, he led the church in purchasing the Robinson property on the corner of East Court, Baxter, and Horton Avenue for $7,000.

Construction began in 1988, with Rev Woodard acting as building contractor. Rev Woodard also renovated the church parsonage, adding a master bedroom to the five-room house.

After four years of struggling, the construction was not yet completed, mainly on the lower level. However, in April 1992, the church was permitted to occupy the building after permission was granted by the city.

Rev Woodard's main reason for building such a large edifice was to generate revenue. Rev. Woodard organized and operated a daycare center from the upper level on the west side of the building, hiring around six employees.

The building was for rent to host weddings, community meetings, parties, family gatherings, etc. Rev. Woodard was also very instrumental in Community involvement with the city board meetings, especially those issues that supported the black community.

Rev Lum Woodard left Tabernacle after 8-1/2 years of service in 1993, and he was succeeded by Rev Louis Hudson Ill. Rev. Hudson started right away to grow the membership with his family, children, and close friends from his home church Mt. Zion, Halls and his mother's home church Cleaves Temple, Halls.

Under his leadership, we had a slew of children for the first time since Rev Tyus, and the membership grew to about 75. Under Rev Hudson's leadership, Tabernacle's uncompleted construction, the lower level (basement) was completed, and the certificate of occupancy was finally issued in 1994.

The basement was constructed with six classrooms, a library, a fellowship hall, and two bathrooms. Rev Hudson is responsible for our paved parking lots, the purchase of a new 1998 15-passenger van, and many new ministries started under his leadership. Lady Hudson spearheaded the first Heritage Home Fest program in 2003. Dedicated members past and present were recognized and honored with a dinner sponsored by the Pastor, Lady Hudson, and their families. The heritage program continued each year through 2006.

Under Rev. Hudson's leadership, the church became a corporation with the state of Tennessee in 2006 and we are still active as of today.

Rev. Hudson left Tabernacle after 14 years of service in 2007 taking his family, children, and close friends back to Halls, TN. with him. Tabernacle was struggling to keep the bills paid and the construction of the building was falling apart from top to bottom. Tabernacle Church was 16-years-old with about 40 active members, 55 to 75 years old and no children, when the search for a new pastor started in the early fall of 2007. After a six-month search, Rev. Mitchell Matthews was voted in as pastor. He preached his first sermon on March 16, 2008, Easter Sunday.

Under Rev. Matthews' leadership, the church secured a $150,000 loan and renovated the church from top to bottom in the spring of 2009. Pastor Matthews, his deacons, trustees, and all auxiliaries came together to reestablish its ministries and recruit children.

Under Pastor Matthews's leadership, he ordained 6 ministers and three deacons, he led the church in attending the National Baptist Convention and stabilized the church's participation with the MVDA.

Under Pastor Matthews' leadership, the church refinanced its mortgage loan of $350.000 in 2015, he had been with the church for seven years. The church voted to repay the mortgage off in seven years at $4,900 a month. It was a struggling battle but in April of 2022, the mortgage was paid in full and the mortgage burning celebration was on August 24, 2022.

Pastor Matthews had led the church for 14 years at that time. Under Pastor Matthews' leadership, the church secured a $100.000 loan to renovate the sanctuary with new pews, floors, upholstered choir chairs, pulpit chairs, pulpit podium, new lighting, air/heat units, TVs, security cameras-- inside and out--and a newly renovated kitchen.

During this same time, the church filed a claim for roof repairs and qualified for a complete rooftop. Pastor Matthews has struggled with the church for 16 years and his leadership has been a blessing.