F.G.T. CHURCH HISTORY

Much of the history of the early Full Gospel Tabernacle has been lost to time. The following was compiled by piecing together articles from historical newspapers, deeds, and the memory of elders in the community. 

 

In the book “Images of America, Ossining Remembered”, the founders of Full Gospel Tabernacle were listed as John and Nellie Sharrock. The Sharrock’s migrated from Bertie County, NC, in 1923, deeply religious they were anxious to find a church home. I can only speculate why they didn’t join the two black churches in town (Star and St. Matthews); however, they and their friends started a church. The first meeting house was the home of John and Nellie, located around the corner on Leonard Street. 

 

In 1931, Bishop V.H. McLaurin of Philadelphia formally established Full Gospel Tabernacle. Bishop McLaurin also served as the first Pastor of the Church. The Church moved to 59 Central Avenue (around the corner the other way) on the second floor. The building remains today. Most of the members were former sharecroppers from NC, and at least one of the members, Mary Ann Pugh-Thompson (my 3rd great-grandmother) was born into slavery.

 

The general practice of the time was posting church events in the paper. Listed in the church section as an Evangelical church, FGT was the second in the community at its founding (Ossining Gospel Assembly was the first).

 

Church services were held every Sunday on the second floor of 59 Central Avenue 

9:30 A.M. – Sunday School

11:00 A.M. - Morning Service

8:30 P.M. – Evening Service

 

On May 31, 1944 (79 Yrs ago), a deed was recorded for a purchase of a house from the Village of Ossining for $400 to the United Holy Church of America, Inc (Durham, NC) and Full Gospel Tabernacle, under the direction of Rev. Johnson C.  (CJ) White. The members of the Church and contractors worked hard to convert the house into an appropriate church house. 

 

Over the years, the Church has seen a lot of Pastor’s. Despite the turnover, the Church still thrived and went on because of the dedication of its congregation to keeping the church house going. 

  

For two years (1978-1980), Faith New Testament Fellowship, under the leadership of Rev. Solomon D. Phifer Sr. met at Full Gospel. In August of 1980, the Church moved to 164 Spring ST. The Church was later renamed Holy Spirit Church.

 

In the 1980s, the Church welcomed its first female Pastor, Rev. Velma R. Knowles. 

 

In 2016, we were blessed with our very own loving, holy ghost-filled Pastor, Rev. Lisa M. Merritt-Smith, who, through the grace of God, kept this Church going through a pandemic and growing the Church, baptizing members in the name of Jesus. 

 

FGT has continued to do what GOD has set out for it to do…KINGDOM BUILDING

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FORMER PASTORS

Bishop V.H. McLaurin                              1931-1933
Rev. J.J. Goodwin                                    1936

Rev. C.J. White                                          1938

Rev. J. C. Watson                                     1955

Rev. David E. Green                                1959-1963

Rev. R.H. McConnnell                             1963-1965

Rev. J.R. Claybourne                              1965

Rev. Sigmund Davis                                1967

Rev. Johnson                                              

Rev. Dr. Nathaniel M. Waterman       1972

Rev. Velma R. Knowles                           1982-2009

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