The Heart and History of Tabernacle Baptist
At 3 o’clock in the afternoon of June 22, 1907 Rev. John Boyett, Rev. W. S. Hopkins, Rev. W. A. Thornton, and J. W. Sailors met in the home of R. O. James, and organized themselves into a presbytery for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church in Pickton, Texas. At 5 o’clock the same day the presbytery met at the Methodist Church with a group of people where they proceeded with the formal organization of the church.
Mr. R. J. Pickett read a list of 51 names who presented themselves for membership.
Eight men pledged to give one hundred dollars each to build the church building. It was completed free of debt in September 1907. Mr. Pickett donated the land on which it was built. The first service was held on Sunday, September 14, 1907. Bro. W.G. Gregory was the first pastor.
Tabernacle Baptist Church has always been a strong supporter of missions, both home and foreign. From it have gone many foreign missionaries; Cynthia A. Miller to China for 30 years, Ruby Hayden Parker to Chile for 36 years, Ivy Miller to Chile for eight years and then served as a pastor, Homer Stewart Hawthorne 11 years in Brazil, six years in Belize, and served in Mexico for seven years. Carolyn Miller worked as a home missionary in Waco with the Hispanic people for many years.
Tabernacle Baptist Church continues to be a strong voice for missions by supporting the cooperative program of the Southern Baptist convention and supporting missionaries as far away as Papa New Guinea.
With a heart for foreign and local missions, a drive to make a difference in our community, and ministering to families and individuals alike, may God help us see it through until Jesus Christ returns.
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