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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 pa id, 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.

About Tabernacle Baptist Church

A GLIMPSE OF THE RICH HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCHIn 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 se nt 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.