How We Got Here

The first home of the church was the Orlando Auto Auction at the corner of Kaley and Division Streets. Five months later, due to the lack of building space, the church moved to the closed Lucerne Baptist Church building at 1019 South Division Street. The average attendance was fifty-seven each week. In August 1967, three and a half acres of property at 6000 West Colonial Drive was acquired; the first building was constructed that same year. Since then, the church has built seven buildings and acquired several properties with houses and duplexes. The auditorium was completely renovated to colonial style and decorated in gray and burgundy in 1984. The former Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission two-story building was purchased in 1992 to house the church administrative offices.

Granted a year long sabbatical for 31 years of faithful service to Tabernacle Baptist Church, Dr. Bob Ware left Orlando in April 1997 to pursue mission work in India. In his absence, Tabernacle Baptist Church continued the Lord’s work under the leadership of Dr. Steve Ware.

In February 1998, while Dr. Bob Ware was still on the mission field, his letter of resignation from the pastorate of Tabernacle Baptist Church was read to the church membership to be effective May 1, 1998. A pulpit committee was formed to pursue the task of finding a new pastor. On February 25, 1998, by unanimous vote of the church membership, Dr. Steve Ware became the new pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church.