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Brooklyn Tabernacle is an evangelical non-denominational megachurch located at 17 Smith Street at the Fulton Mall in downtown Brooklyn, New York City, United States. The senior pastor is Jim Cymbala.
| Brooklyn Tabernacle | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| 40°41′27″N 73°59′14.8″W | |
| Location | New York City |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Non-denominational Christian |
| Website | brooklyntabernacle.org |
| History | |
| Founded | 1847 |
| Clergy | |
| Senior pastor(s) | Jim Cymbala |
The Brooklyn Tabernacle was originally established in 1847 as the Central Presbyterian Church, using the facilities of the First Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Willoughby Street and Pearl.[1]
In 1966, the church was renamed "Brooklyn Gospel Tabernacle" by the pastor Clair D. Hutchins.[2]
By the time Pastor Jim and Carol Cymbala took over the church leadership in the autumn of 1971, the congregation had dwindled to only 40 people who met in a rundown building on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.[3][4][5][6]
In the 1980s, the Brooklyn Tabernacle purchased the former Carlton Theatre at 292 Flatbush Avenue at 7th Avenue, converting the 1383-seat theatre into a church. After many years of decline, the church was revitalized as a non-denominational congregation, and became well-known as the home of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
In 1984, the church took its current name "The Brooklyn Tabernacle".[7]
The church remained in this location until 2002 when they moved into the former Loew's Metropolitan Theatre at 17 Smith Street.[8][9] The sanctuary seats 3,300 people.
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir has received six Grammy Awards.[10][11] It is directed by Carol Cymbala, the wife of the main Pastor, Jim Cymbala.[12]
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" at the 2013 second inauguration of Barack Obama.[13]
The church has held three two-hour services weekly.[14]
In 2017, the church had 10,000 members.[15]
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The current building was completely redone by Kostow Greenwood Architects and Robert Silman Associates by gutting and renovating the old vaudeville theater for modern worship, and with state-of-the-art acoustics and recording equipment. Two adjacent buildings were converted into offices, classrooms, community service areas, and dining facilities.[16][17]
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