At a specially called business meeting on May 15, 2016 - Pentecost Sunday - the membership of Tabernacle Baptist Church approved the bylaws revisions as recommended by the Bylaws Committee.  These updated bylaws affirm our position as a church that welcomes and affirms all who seek to follow Jesus with the inclusion of this statement:

The practice and policy of Tabernacle Baptist Church is to welcome into full membership and participation in our faith community all persons who profess Jesus as Lord regardless of race, class, gender, disability, place of origin, sexual orientation, or any other distinction.

​At the conclusion of this meeting Pastor Joyce read a letter to the congregation announcing her intent to retire at the end of July 2016.  Her last Sunday in the pulpit will be on July 17.

​The Pastoral Relations Committee will host a special retirement recognition for Pastor Joyce on Saturday, September 17 to be held at the church.
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From the minutes of April 14, 1948 Quarterly Meeting . . .

A letter of dismission for Mr. and Mrs. John [Evelyn] Gifford from the Riverpoint Advent Christian Church and one from Crompton Baptist Church for Mrs. Stella Briggs were read by the Clerk. It was voted that they be received into Church membership and given the right hand of fellowship.  Mrs. Briggs and Mr. and Mrs. Gifford were received into Church membership and given the right hand of fellowship on Sunday, May 2, 1948.                                    Dorothy Muir, Clerk

November 30, 1958 . . . A special meeting was called to order following the morning worship service. The Deacons recommended for baptism and church membership the following: Charles Leach, Barbara Picard, Cheryl Picard, and Kathleen Danielson. It was voted that these four young people be administered the rites of baptism and be received into church membership. Given the right hand of fellowship on December 7.                                Dorothy E. Muir, Clerk

July 15, 1973 . . . Vivian Searle accepted into membership from Emanuel Lutheran Church of West Warwick at special meeting called after Church service.                                                                             Helen Harvey, Clerk

June 30, 1974 . . . Special meeting called after AM service by Moderator Francis Searle. Deacons recommend Cindy Lou Battey, Arthur Searle, and Kenneth Searle for baptism and church membership following baptism. Motion to this affect made and carried.   September 8, 1974 . . .Cindy Lou Battey and Kenneth Searle given right hand of fellowship.     October 6, 1974 . . . George Searle [previously baptized by Rev. John Brooks on March 22, 1970 at Phenix Baptist Church] and Arthur Searle given right hand of fellowship.                                                                                            Helen Harvey, Church Clerk

From the History of Tabernacle Baptist Church as recorded by Bertha M. Brayton . . .

The late Peleg A. Walton gave the land, a lot 40X45 feet, to Rev. Benjamin B. Cottrell, “To be used for the worship of Almighty God, to be used and occupied for all religious purposes that has for its object the Gospel Ministry and the welfare of the Church of God. The house shall be opened for lectures not inconsistent with the principles of Christianity and the Character of a house of religious worship. It shall be open for Sabbath School and Sabbath School concerts, for festivals, and for sewing society, for the benefit of the society, and for funeral services when desired, subject to the necessary expenses that may occur for opening and taking care of the house. There shall be no meeting in the house except of a religious character that shall exclude any person or persons from the house that has contributed towards the building of said house.”

The deed was given in March 1873, and the late Albert F. Hill, contractor, built the church, a substantial, one room building, which was finished and dedicated in July of the same year.

This is the same building in which we worship today. Through the years the building has been raised and an undercroft built, and later the office and kindercare area was added on the western side. We continue to build God’s house through our faith and commitment to doing the work of God in this place.