Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church was planted in 1946.  The late Reverend William Lee Baxter, the first pastor, led the charge to bring the then Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church to fruition.  

The name, Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church, has a three-fold meaning.  “Faith” was chosen to exemplify the reward for persistent confidence and trust in God.  “Tabernacle” is a gathering place to hear the Word of God.  The use of “Baptist” is taken from the name of John the Baptist, who was the forerunner to Jesus Christ.  At its planting, the congregation wholeheartedly adopted the name of “Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church.”  This was done to the glory of God! 

During the pastorate of Reverend Baxter, the congregation organized and established a self-help institution, namely a federally chartered credit union.  In 1956, the Faith Federal Credit Union began operating for the benefit of Church members and their families to save and borrow.  Reverend Baxter went to another ministry in 1962. 

In May 1962, Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church extended a call to the late Dr. Rafe Taylor, Sr., to become pastor.  During his tenure, Dr. Taylor emphasized various Biblical principles and urged the congregation to trust God by obeying His edict to tithe and to become independent.  Dr. Taylor taught and espoused many practices to strengthen the Church as well as the community.  

Dr. Taylor was a true visionary who played a significant role in efforts to provide housing for moderate-income people.  He devoted tremendous energy to building Coleman and New Hope Towers housing units.  Dr. Taylor resigned from Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church in August 1968 to accept a charge at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Boston, Massachusetts. 

God continued to answer the prayers of His people at Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church when Reverend Samuel L. White accepted the call to pastor the congregation.  Reverend White came to Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church in February 1969.  Reverend White spearheaded the efforts of the New Hope Corporation to complete almost 290 units of housing, with assistance from the Federal Housing Administration, that started under the pastorate of Dr. Taylor.  

During the dynamic leadership of Reverend White, the Church liquidated its mortgage and installed an elevator to benefit the membership.  Reverend White was an ardent missions and outreach supporter.  It was during this time that the congregation changed its name to Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, which was to evidence its extended ministry. 

The significant outreach contributions of Reverend White included, but were not limited to, the establishment of the Faith Day Care Association, support for the William E. Edwards Annual College Tour, the Food Program, and the Annie M. Davis Scholarship Ministry.   After 28 years of distinguished service, Reverend White retired from the Faith Tabernacle pastorate on December 31, 1996, and went home to the Lord in October 1997.  

By His word, and with His guide, the Lord has ordained that every local congregation should have an under shepherd. 

After the retirement of Reverend White, the congregation sought the Lord with diligence and conviction for a pastor.  Dr. Tommie Jackson came to Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in June 1997 as the called and chosen of God to guide the congregation into the 21^st century. 

As a servant leader, Dr. Jackson emphasized the need to equip people as disciples of Christ.  He stressed the importance of spiritual development and Bible enrichment through study, prayer, devotion, and educational preparation.  The Church moved from Women's and Men’s Day to an annual Unity Day, and he started an Agape Greeters Ministry. He organized care and nursing home activities into a weekly mission/ministry.  In addition, the Church hosted a midday midweek worship on Wednesday. 

During the Jackson pastorate, the Church's daycare programs were revamped into the Mark of Excellence Pre School and Academy, a tape ministry was started, and the Students Achieving Greater Excellence (SAGE) Youth Development Programs were initiated.  To further enhance the spiritual experience of the youth and young adults, in 2011, a Praise Dance and Drama Ministry was established. In addition, the congregation completed a $4 million phase 1 expansion, new construction, and renovation project called 21st Century Faith that gave a new Christian Life Center and a refurbished fellowship/social hall.  

Reverend Dr. Tommie Jackson retired as pastor of Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in May 2017. 

The congregation was in need of an Interim Pastor following the retirement of Dr. Tommie Jackson.  The Lord blessed the congregation with the call of Reverend Dr. Boise Kimber (August 2017) to serve as interim pastor while the congregation searched for a full-time pastor. Under Dr. Kimber’s leadership, spiritual growth and development were enriched, and the first gender inclusive Diaconate Ministry was chosen and ordained.  Dr. Kimber was also instrumental in obtaining funds for much-needed repairs in the Sanctuary.  Dr. Kimber ended his interim pastorate in June 2019. 

Following the departure of Reverend Dr. Boise Kimber, the Reverend Dr. Joseph G. Ford was called and chosen to serve as pastor.   Dr. Ford assumed the pastorate responsibilities on November 3, 2019. Dr. Ford came preaching the gospel to give hope to all people during these difficult and challenging times. Dr. Ford was able to navigate the congregation through unprecedented times during the pandemic. Under Dr. Ford’s leadership and in-depth technical knowledge, weekly virtual worship services were set up, and online giving was introduced.  A children’s church was also established, which allows children to worship God on their level and in their own way.  The Youth Choir was reestablished, and an after-school program was started.  

Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church serves as a beacon of light and hope to a crucified people by preaching a resurrected Christ to the glory of God!