OUR HISTORY

Tent meetings on the corner lot, in 1955, planted the seed for what would grow into a 68-acre campus with an interdenominational church and a school.  Although much has changed physically, little has changed spiritually.  The church, now known as The Tabernacle, still focuses on the Word of God, lifting Jesus Christ up as the Son of God and
a personal Savior.  It is still people caring, sharing, growing, loving and giving.

During the 1950s, there was a new awe-inspiring move of the Holy Spirit across the country.  It opened new, under-standing, pushed early leaders into unfamiliar spiritual areas, and locally, shaped a church that helped shape the community.  That church opened its doors across the street from the tent meetings in 1956 on the corner on Tuttle and 17th St.  It was built by Henry Brunk as an independent, interdenominational, evangelical community church.  He and Gerald Derstine shared the pulpit initially, followed by Tom Pendergras who said goodbye January 4, 1974, and Neville Gritt, said hello.  The following year, the name was changed to The Tabernacle.

Pastor Gritt was an exceptional Bible teacher and preacher.  His messages were informative, challenging, and sprinkled with his love for history.  He also led the church to have a heart for missions, and under his leadership many young people surrendered to the call of missions.  He loved to travel and visit the mission field which was always a blessing to the missionaries.  They knew he loved and supported their work. Listen online to his archive of sermons HERE.

 

“Neville” as he preferred to be called was loved and appreciated by his flock and community.  His vision for the community started the annual Easter Sunrise Service at Bayfront Part in Sarasota, which has an attendance of approximately 1000 people each year.  The Living Nativity, also birthed with his vision for the community, attracts several thousand people for this special time of the year.

 

We are thankful for the rich and blessed legacy of Pastor Neville. The Tabernacle has an exciting and bright future because of the legacy he left.  We will be forever grateful for his ministry and the impact he made in thousands of lives for Christ.  He left us with a wonderful church body, phenomenal facilities, and zero debt!  Thank you, Pastor Neville Gritt!

 

As Pastor Neville Gritt planned for his retirement, he was praying for his successor.  The Holy Spirit brought to his mind Pastor Dwain Kitchens, a former Baptist who had recently been baptized with the Holy Spirit.  He called Pastor Dwain
who had left First Baptist Church Bradenton, Florida to accept the position of Senior Pastor of Cathedral In The Pines, Beaumont, Texas. Pastor Dwain shared with Pastor Gritt that he was honored, but could not consider the position as he had only been serving Cathedral for two and a half years.  They hung up the phone and Pastor Dwain said he never thought about it again until one year later when he once again received a phone call from Pastor Gritt.  Pastor Gritt reiterated that he felt the Spirit had brought Pastor Dwain to his mind to become his successor.  Pastor Dwain was surprised that they had not called a pastor in the past year and said he and his wife, Pam, would pray about it and get back within a few weeks.  After a period of prayer and fasting, the Lord spoke to Pastor Dwain and his wife to be open about following Pastor Gritt.  In a process that lasted a few months, the Lord gave clear confirmation that He was calling Pastor Dwain Kitchens to succeed Pastor Neville at The Tabernacle.  On Sunday July 10, 2005, Pastor Dwain was presented to the congregation to become the new Senior Pastor after preaching in the morning and evening services.  Following the service, the church voted and extended a call to Pastor Dwain to become their new Senior Pastor.  He and Pam accepted the call and made plans to return to Florida as the Senior Pastor of The Tabernacle.