A historical view of a rural church in Virginia that dispays growth and development of people creating a church edifice out of twigs and vines and progressing to a modern age with usage of technoly and social media; from the era of slavery to the 21 century

1. Tabernacle Baptist Church Timeline
Twigs to Twitter

2. 1860
Early
meeting
places for
church
were in the
Clover Hill
mining
district of
Chesterfiel

3. 1860
In keeping with
Virginia law,
services were
initially
conducted by a
white minister
from the Second
Baptist Church

4. 1862
A Baptist congregation is organized by black
families near Clover Hill. For the first 11 years,
the members worshipped in a brush arbor and a
lumber building near the train station at Clover
Hill now Winterpock.

5. 1865
With the end of the Civil War
and freedom for the slaves,
the members were able to
select their own pastor.

6. 1873
The first church building
was constructed near the
site of the present church.
At this
time, the church was
named the “Tabernacle
Baptist Church,” and the
first Sunday School was
organized.1900
A new building was
constructed near the
original structure. This
rectangular, wood-framed
building served the
congregation until 1976.

7. 1935
The first choir was organized
by
Ms. Mary Crawley.
1938
The first piano
was
purchased.
1944
The Missionary Circle
was organized.

8. 1962
The heating and
lighting systems
were upgraded
several times.
Also, two rooms
and a vestibule
were added to the
building.

9. 1963
Tabernacle had worship services twice a
month. This was the first time the pastor
baptized in an outdoor pool on the
church property.

10. 1965
Tabernacle had worship
services every Sunday,
and a new organ was
purchased.
In1967 was the first
church softball team.

11. 1976
The building project
is completed and
dedicated. This now
included a new brick
sanctuary, the
education wing and
indoor baptismal pool

12. 1981
Dr. White became
Tabernacle’s first
full time pastor. He
began alternating
fellowship services
with Beulah Baptist
Church on
Thanksgiving and
Christmas.

13. 1990
Tabernacle hosted
the first “One-Day
Session" of the
Tuckahoe Baptist
Association. Also,
the church
purchased a grand
piano and
enhanced the
church campus with
a paved parking lot.

14. 1994
The church
interior was re-
decorated; an
electronic security
system was
installed; the first
church library was
established, and
the mortgage was

15. 1996-Present
Dr. Norwood G.
Carson was
selected as
pastor. He has
increased
teaching and
training
opportunities and
placed greater
emphasis on
outreach and
evangelism.

16. 1997
The Ministers
Council of
Tabernacle was
begun. The
council offered
training to
diaconate,
ministers, and
those who
believed God
was calling them
to the ministry.

17. 1998
Additional land was
purchased in
anticipation
of future
church growth.
1999
A weekly radio ministry
was presented on
WDYL and a church
web page was created.

19. 2001
Tabernacle
Learning Center
opened. A new
mission covenant
was incorporated
into our church
covenant.

20. 2003
Tabernacle
Church services
aired on Comcast
Cable, Channel
6. A 30 minute
television
production, "We'll
Take You There,"
aired on the local

21. 2004
Sanctuary pews
were replaced by
movable chairs.
The Tabernacle
Baptist Church
Seminary opened.

22. 2008
The Tabernacle
Baptist Church
Seminary was
renamed the
Tabernacle Divinity
School.

23. 2009
Tabernacle
Baptist church
joined
Facebook an
online social
networking

24. 2010
Technology Ministry named T.W.I.T.
Tabernacle Warriors Integrating Technology is
organized.
Basic computer training classes, Technology
Workshops for Ministerial Teams for Church
and community is provided through out the
year.
Website www.taberangels.com is launched.
2011
Website www.mytbcangels.org
is launched and projector for ministry use
is purchased.

25. 2011-A new education wing was completed
to enhance future educational and
outreach efforts.
2011
A new education wing was
completed to enhance
future educational and
outreach efforts.

26. 2012
In April, TBC supported Congregations Around
Richmond Involved to Assure Shelter
(CARITAS) by hosting thirty homeless
persons from eleven families for one week.
This experience taught us that "the true
definition of ministry is what you give, not what
you get.

27. 2013
Video announcements called the iboard
is created to share
Church and Community news during
morning services and social networks.
Digital Soundboard, Portable and mounted
screens are purchased.
2013
Video announcements called
the iboard, are created to share
Church and Community news
during morning services,
Church website, and social
networks.

28. 2013 Tabernacle
joined
Twitter and Instagram
And Instagram

29. 2014
Monitors for every
classroom, sanctuary,
and fellowship hall
are purchased for
various ministries,
bible study and
technology classes.
This effort was led by