Tabernacle Baptist Church

The church was blessed with Rev. Latimore of Southwest Georgia; Rev. Franklin of Washington, Georgia; Rev. S. T. Johnson and Rev. T. W. Smith who have all since deceased.

Tabernacle grew at a steady pace, and in May 1933, Dr. J. J. Minor was installed as pastor. In 1937, the church was destroyed by fire. Although Tabernacle was shaken, the members were not defeated. Dr. Minor’s undying faith and dedication, the church learned the meaning of Christian commitment – to rejoice in despair, be patient in tribulation, and hope with constant prayer. In 1939, the first unit of the church was rebuilt. Later that same year, Tabernacle acquired a corner lot at Ellis and Hilliard Street. Rev. J. T. Dorsey, the Pastor of the Second Mount Zion Baptist Church, and father of Dr. E. H. Dorsey, was the presiding minister for the Ground Breaking Ceremony. In 1940, the new church was completed and on the 5th Sunday in March 1940, the first worship service was held. On July 27, 1954, the Rev. Minor passed away.

July 1955, on the 3rd Sunday, Tabernacle called the late Dr. E. H. Dorsey of Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Dorsey’s leadership made a great impact on the church and the community. To this day, the harvest of his labor is still present. In 1960, the present edifice a 475 Boulevard was purchased; also the Happy Time Day Care was organized. The church purchased a house on Rankin Street, a parking lot, rolling stock and an apartment complex on Parkway Avenue. Operation Bread Basket (a program to feed the hungry) was born. After serving 22 years, on June 20, 1977, a serious illness prompted his retirement. He has since passed away. 

On October , 1977, Dr. Quincy Lavell Carswell was called as the pastor. Under his leadership, numerous physical renovations and a structural reorganization took place. A few of his accomplishments were: modern musical instruments, upgraded public address system, media ministry (broadcasts and telecasts) , community outreach, educational & recreational programs, and the purchase of property on Rankin Place. His leadership ended on December 20, 1992.

On April 2, 1994, God’s gift in the person of Rev. Dennis A. Meredith of Toledo Ohio was presented to Tabernacle. Pastor Meredith is an accomplished, well-respected, community-focused minister and leader. He has ministered for over 30 years using his many gifts to give glory to God – preaching, and singing across America and abroad to win souls for Jesus Christ. Under his leadership, the church has experienced unprecedented growth and development. Church membership, assets and finances have more than tripled. He plans and implements programs and ministries specifically created and tailored to meet the needs of an urban community and congregation. He is also well on his way to laying the groundwork for one of his primary goals for the Old Fourth Ward, which is to foster African- American, male leadership in the family, church and community. In addition, his outreach ministry, which focuses on healing and empowering unhealthy communities, led to the founding of Beacon of Hope in 1996. Since then, Pastor Meredith has overseen the renovation of facilities and operations of the church and Beacon of Hope’s early childhood education, school age education, family support, and adult education/job- training/employment programs. In five years, a childcare center previously cited for numerous violations was converted into a “Beacon of Hope” that is now accredited by NAEYC’s National Academy of Early Childhood Programs and heralded by former Governor Roy Barnes as the statewide model for childcare centers. He currently embarks upon building the City of Tabernacle, purposed to provide economic development and safe haven for the Old Fourth Ward and Greater Atlanta Community, Pastor Meredith is the devoted husband to Lydia Meredith and father to Dennis II (Taylor), Micah and Eddie Meredith.

Can you see the Vision working? As an example of this vision coming to pass: When Pastor Meredith started his administration here, April 3, 1994, only 5 persons were employed, one full-time and 4 part-time; Tabernacle owned only 4 parcels of land valued at less than $1,000,000.00. Now over 50 persons work as contractors and employees earning salaries from $15,000 to $45,000 per year, Tabernacle now owns over 10 parcels valued in excess of $3,000,000 acquired in less than 7 years. Tabernacle properties provide economic development, meaningful employment where there is unemployment, gainful employment where there is underemployment, livable wages where there is minimum wage, training and education where there is illiteracy, businesses and home owners where there is absent and slum landlords. We have only just begun!

We must pray for the intervention of God Almighty to take this land through your gifts of finances and volunteerism. It will cost approximately $50,000,000 to acquire the Bedford Pine/Wingate and privately owned properties north, south, east, and west of the church; yet, we believe nothing is impossible with God. As we request that you write the vision upon your hearts, we are assured, convinced, and confident that God will bring it to pass!