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A Historical Sketch of “Tabernacle Baptist Church
Those who came and spoke from
the Tabernacle Pulpit included: Rev. Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Rev.
Dr. Jesse Jackson, attorney Thurgood
Marshall (before he was appointed the
first African American to serve as a
Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court), Dr.
Benjamin Mays, Andrew Young, Julian
Bond, Dr. William Holmes Borders,
Mayor Maynard Jackson (the first elect
ed African American mayor of Atlanta)
and many other eminent leaders. -
Tabernacle also became a member
of the Progressive National Baptist
Convention during Hamilton’s adminis
tration. This specific convention empha
sizes inclusiveness in worship and social
witness; explicitly issues affecting the
African American community and
humanity are also essential to worship.
Dr. Hamilton was one of the
selected pastors from across the United
States who became a member of a dis
tinguished group of ministers who were
specifically chosen to become Martin
Luther King, Jr. Scholars after Dr. King
was assassinated. Each of them, includ
ing Dr. Hamilton, became renowned
pastors, preachers, theologians, and Civil
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The History of Black Americans in Augusta, Georgia
Rights leaders.
The church sanctuary was remod
eled and memorial windows were
installed. Alliances that foster commu
nity service and fellowship were formed
with other churches. An elevator was
installed and a new organ was pur
chased.
Dr. Hamilton was also the Dean of
the Morehouse School of Religion, the
Baptist Seminary at the
Interdenominational Theological Center
in Atlanta.
After forty years of service and
leadership at Tabernacle Baptist
Church, Dr. Hamilton retired in
October 1996. He was granted the
honor of Pastor Emeritus. Rev. Dr.
Charles Spencer Hamilton died May
1997.
In July 1997, The Reverend Otis B.
Moss 111 was called to serve as pastor of
Tabernacle Baptist Church. Rev. Moss
assumed the pastorate in August 1997,
bringing dynamic leadership to the 112
year old church.
Within the first year of his pas
torate, Rev. Moss initiated numerous
new ministries, which promote spiritu
ality and fellowship. Working with the
church membership and church leaders,
Rev. Moss embraced a vision of spiritual
growth-and service and empowerment
for Tabernacle and its membership that
addressed the needs and challenges of
the 21st century. Church attendance
and membership increased tremendous
ly. Between 1997 and 2001, 550 men,
women and children joined Tabernacle.
Twenty-one souls were saved during
one 10:40 a.m. worship service in
October 2001.
Reverend Moss was led by God to
encourage the congregation to embark
upon a $550,000 renovation project to
refurbish the 88 year old sanctuary. This
innovative architectural undertaking
enhanced the original structure that ren
ders Colonial, Gothic, and Baroque ele
ments. For the first time in the history
of Tabernacle, in March 2001 worship
services were held two blocks away from
the church inside the gymnasium of
Lucy Craft Laney High School. While
the church was being renovated
Reverend Moss made the decision to
have two worship services on Sunday —
at 8:00 a.m. and 10:40 a.m.
The renovation project was com
pleted in July 2001, Reverend Moss led
a procession of hundreds of members of
Tabernacle in a “Vision March” that was
symbolic of the procession of the chil
dren of Israel from their homes to the
Temple of Israel after Solomon had the
temple built. -
The mayor of Augusta, Bob Young,
proclaimed July 15, 2001 “Tabernacle
Baptist Church Consecration
Celebration Day” in the city of Augusta.
In the spirit of Drs. Walker and
Hamilton, Reverend Moss is building
an awesome reputation across the nation
for preaching powerful and transform
ing sermons. Newsweek magazine called
Reverend Moss one of “the Lord’s foot
soldiers of the 21st century.”
Tabernacle Baptist Church contin
ues to prevail. We moved into the third
millennium with a deeper sense of
thanksgiving for those men, women,
children and youth who valiantly
labored to maintain our church facility
and the concepts embodied within the
ministries we share throughout the local
and global community. We proceed con
fidently, empowered by the Holy Spirit
as disciples who are committed to build
ing on this solid rock of Christ called -
Tabernacle.
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