ET History

ET History
Emmanuel Tabernacle Church of God In Christ, at its inception in 1930, was known as the 'Fourth Street Church of God In Christ,' and was located at 1318 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Fourth Street Church of God In Christ ('Fourth Street') was organized in the early 1930's under the leadership of Elder Antoine Wilson who, with his wife, National Evangelist Hester Bell Wilson and children, relocated to Minneapolis from Kansas City, Missouri. Elder Wilson invested in a residential duplex and adjoining property and renovated the property into a home for his family (upstairs), a sanctuary for worship (downstairs), and a tabernacle sanctuary for worship services during the hot summer months, which resembled a huge stationary tent with walls, doors and windows (the adjoining structure). Fourth Street's humble sanctuaries are the focus of many fond memories.

Elder Antoine Wilson was an anointed and competent pastor and, as a result, the Fourth Street congregation grew rapidly. Because of his diligence and commitment to God, Elder Wilson was appointed to the officer of 'Overseer' of the Church of God In Christ, Minnesota Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. Overseer Wilson served faithfully until his death in January 1944. There are descendants of Overseer Wilson who are still members of this congregation (now known as 'Emmanuel Tabernacle'); grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Just ask some of these descendants about the 'good old days' of sharing 1318 South Fourth Street with the Saints.

In the years following the death of its Pastor, Fourth Street experienced numerous changes. It had interim pastors (Elder Pinky Buford and B.J. Fizer) and witnessed the appointment of a new Overseer for the Minnesota jurisdiction, in the person of Elder John Wesley Graham. On August 16, 1948, Elder William B. Williams was installed as Pastor of Fourth Street. Elder Williams, along with his wife, Evangelist Rose Williams, had some three and one-half years earlier, come to Minnesota from a thriving pastorate in Michigan.

As its membership continued to grow, Fourth Street was faced with the task of searching out a new building to accommodate its congregation and, in June 1956, a building drive began. In the early 1960's, Fourth Street was notified by the Minneapolis Housing and Redevelopment Authority that its property was situated in the city's urban renewal zone and the church had to move to make way for planned redevelopment. Fourth Street moved from 1318 South Fourth Street and occupied space in the building referred to then as the 'Pillsbury Settlement House,' just off of Cedar Avenue and Riverside in Minneapolis. During this transition period, Pastor Williams received a divine mandate that upon the acquisition of its new building, the church name would be changed from 'Fourth Street' to 'Emmanuel Tabernacle.' ('Emmanuel' being interpreted to mean God with us.)

After several years of sojourning at the Pillsbury Settlement House, the congregation was blessed to purchase an edifice for worship. In September 1967, the congregation entered into the doors of its new edifice located at 2501 East 22nd Street, Minneapolis, and the transition was made from Fourth Street Church Of God In Christ to Emmanuel Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ ('Emmanuel Tabernacle'). Emmanuel Tabernacle is located at the same site today  2501 East 22nd Street, Minneapolis. The Trustees at the time were Deacons Charles Puckett, Augustus Cotton and Eugene Bogan (all now deceased). Deacons E. Charles Cochran and John Fowler and Pastor William B. Williams. The sanctuary was dedicated in October 1967. An appropriate commemorative scripture is 2 Chronicles 7:16: 'For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.'

In April 1971, following the Easter Sunrise Service, our beloved Pastor William B. Williams was stricken ill, and on December 20, 1971, the Lord summoned him to rest. Our Omniscient Father had been preparing a 'Joshua' in the midst of the congregation to assume leadership of the flock following Pastor Williams' passing. Who was this Joshua? None other than the Elder Stanley Neil Frazier, a young man devoted to God and faithful to the church from the time he accepted Christ into his life at 19 years of age. Pastor Frazier, with his uncompromising preaching of the Gospel, has been pivotal in the continuing growth of Emmanuel Tabernacle.

It is said that beside every great man is a great woman. As God declared to Creation (Genesis 2:21-24), it is not good for man (Adam) to be alone, so He created for him a 'help meet' (Eve). If God did that Adam, and since He tells us in His Word that 'no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly,' surely he would provide a 'help meet' for Elder Frazier. And he did, in the person of Jeanette Ruth Robert, a woman who in support of her husband, endeavors to lighten the burden which responsibility has placed on his shoulders. Mother Jeanette Ruth Roberts Frazier has endured many sacrifices and has preserved for the success of the Ministry. In obedience to the command of God that husband and wife should be fruitful and multiply. Pastor and Mother Frazier have complied, as their children Gregory, Cheryl, Mark and Beverly can attest.

Many changes have occurred. Many hurdles have been overcome and great strides have been made under the leadership and vision of Pastor Stanley N. Frazier. Pastor Frazier acknowledged the Word of God as authoritative and adhered strictly to it. 1 Peter 5:6 admonishes 'humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.' God being faithful to perform his Word, in November 1985, caused Pastor Frazier to be exalted to the office of Bishop of the Minnesota Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God In Christ. Indeed, Emmanuel Tabernacle has a rich heritage, in that three of the five Bishops to preside in Minnesota have been from its body of believers.

Many fathers and mothers, have been superior jobs in instructing their sons and their daughters concerning holiness, and have entered into their rest. Fourth Street's sons and daughters have become Emmanuel Tabernacle's mothers and fathers, who likewise must advance scriptural doctrine to their children, being diligent to exhort them to speak those things which become sound doctrine; to be sober, to be temperate, to be sound in faith, charity and patience; to exhibit behavior as becometh holiness; to be teachers of good things; to love their husbands, wives and children so that the Word of God be not blasphemed. As Emmanuel Tabernacle is loyal to God, is steadfast in faith, continues in righteousness, and emulates its Pastor's example of 'standing in the gap' for its members and the surrounding communities, she shall reap her just reward!