Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church – The Early Days
March 21 and March 28, 1982 – gospel preaching and teaching were held at the Mason Rudolph Recreational Center on Golf Club Lane under the leadership of Rev. Jimmy Terry, Sr.
April 3, 1982 – Saturday, at the Cumberland River South Kentucky Middle Tennessee Baptist District Association Building on Dodd Street, a new fellowship was organized as the “Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church” of Clarksville, Tennessee, affirmed pastor: Jimmy Terry, Sr., with twenty-five members joining. This was the first church organized in the district in 90 years. All individuals who joined Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church of Clarksville, Tennessee from April 3 until May 2, 1982 are considered charter members. There were 33 charter members.
April 11, 1982 – Easter Sunday, Tabernacle worshipped for the first time at the Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 782 North Second Street. On May 9, 1982 we voted to align with the Cumberland Baptist Association (approved membership October 21, 1982) and The Southern Baptist Convention (approved membership October 25, 1982).
Where there is no vision, the people, perish (Proverbs 29:18a) Our vision was to find ten or more acres of land to purchase in order to build a Christ taught and Christ trained Christian Development Center; where we would be about our Father’s business; building, teaching, and training.
October 10, 1982 – we visited the site located on 303 Market Street. On October 24, 1982 the Tabernacle Family gave their approval to approach the Austins, who owned and were selling the land for $125,000. We agreed to give $10,000 for the property with a promise to have the rest in six months. Mrs. Austin didn’t agree to the above, instead she stated, “If we didn’t have all the money she could wait.” November 9, 1982 as an agreement to the above, we gave her $1.00. PRAISE THE LORD!!! Our contract of agreement was extended from May 10 to December 31, 1983. In 1983 through 2005 Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church held a fundraising banquet.
April 4, 1984 – the deed for the 19.6 acres of land was transferred from the Austin Family to the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church Family. It met the requirements for building a church for the 80’s and the future: acreage, accessibility, visibility. On April 22, 1984, we caravanned from 782 North Second Street, to our present and permanent worship site.
In the beginning there were only 15 members attending Sunday School. This number gradually increased until 1985 when we participated in the Sunday School Growth Campaign (8.5 by 85). We received the fastest growing Sunday School Award (124 members), the largest percentage enrollment gain and average attendance gain. Our Sunday School continues to grow. Since 1992, bi-annually our Sunday School Staff attends a Sunday School Training and Retreat in Ridgecrest, North Carolina along with the Sunday School Superintendent. Our Motto is: “HERE AT TABERNACLE, SUNDAY SCHOOL IS, SERIOUS BUSINESS.”
The Bible is our guide and here at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church we are striving to put the word of God to memory.
April 22, 2012– Tabernacle celebrated our 30 year church anniversary with a banquet that was held at the William O. Beach Civic Center in Veteran’s Plaza on Saturday,
June 21, 2017 – Pastor Terry, Sr., founder of Tabernacle MBC and Tabernacle Christian School went home to be with the Lord.
December 29, 2019 – Pastor Dr. Michael J. Moss preached his first sermon as pastor of Tabernacle.
March 15, 2020 – Last service held in the sanctuary until further notice due to a severe virus outbreak locally and worldwide known as the Coronavirus or COVID19. Because of this pandemic, church services were modified, ministry meetings and programs were cancelled, and only essential workers were to be out. Everyone else was asked to remain safer-at-home for 14 days. If you had to gather for funerals etc., no more than 10 people were allowed to gather at any one time, and they were to stay six feet apart. Church service on this day was attended by 18 people.
March 22, 2020 – The Installation Service of Pastor Dr. Michael J. Moss that was scheduled to be at Mount Olive MBC at the new location 1750 Needmore Road and was postponed due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic.
May 31, 2020 – Tabernacle hosted their first ever Drive-In Worship Service outdoors at 11:00 AM. Members and guest were to remain in their cars during the service. Pastor Dr. Michael J. Moss delivered the message.
July 26, 2020 – The Women Ministry of Tabernacle held its first ever digital social media Women’s Day Program during the 11:00 AM service. The theme for the day was, “Godly Women with 20/20 Vision.” Scripture reference was Habakkuk 2:2-4. Tabernacle’s very own first lady, Mrs. Trina Moss, was the speaker of the hour.
October 4, 2020 – Due to the COVID-19 virus, Tabernacle held its first Drive-In Communion Service during the 11:00 AM hour. Over 30 cars were in the parking lot for this major event.
June 27, 2021 – The Installation Service of Pastor Dr. Michael J Moss was held at 11:00 am at Tabernacle MBC Guest, Pastor James H Vinson, Retired, Harrison Street MBC, Paducah, KY.
Afternoon service 2:30 pm at Mt. Olive MBC 1750 Needmore Road Guest Rev. Dr. Clayborn Lea Jr., Pastor Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Fairfield and Suisun City, California.
August 19, 2021-Pastor Moss delivered the noonday sermon in the Rev. Jimmy Terry Preaching Series in Memphis TN at the Baptist Memorial Hospital & Health Care Services.
September 19, 2021-Minister Corey Walker preached his initial sermon at the 11:00 am service.
January 26 2022 – Minister Gregory Dougherty and Minister Corey Walker were voted as new Associates to the Pastor at the Progress and Information Briefing Meeting.
February 5, 2023 –Pastor Moss first baptism of 2 new members: Bro Mason Ware and Sis Tanisha Louden!
As we walk by faith and not by sight, we are encouraged by the word of God, prayers from the support of our associations, and the Clarksville community and surrounding areas to continue doing what thus said the Lord.
THE TABERNACLE VISION CONTINUES………..TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!!!
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58