The Fellowship Tabernacle Church was founded by Bishop Robert M. Taylor, Sr. on Easter Sunday, April of 1979, in Philadelphia, PA. On that first Sunday, 17 souls joined the ministry. In its infancy, FTC worshiped on the second floor of Christ Temple Baptist Church, located at 1617 W. Girard Ave. In 1980, the ministry moved to the southwest corner of 16th and Dauphin Streets. In 1981, the church moved to 1526 W. Cumberland Street. The ministry grew at this location for the next twelve years.
On December 31, 1992, Bishop Taylor prophesied by the leading of theHoly Spirit, “We will not see another watch night service at 1526 W. Cumberland Street!" In November of 1993, FTC moved to its new home, 4541 North Broad Street. The Lord added to the ministry in excess of 1,000 members.
In 2004, having received the divine call of God; like Abraham, Bishop Robert M. Taylor, Sr. left FTC Philadelphia in the capable hands of the set Elders he had trained for many years, sold his home, and relocated to Statesville, NC, launching the ministry of the Fellowship Tabernacle Church of Statesville. It all began with a life changing “City Wide Crusade” at the Statesville Civic Center , Wednesday, January 7, 2004 .
It was on the 1st Sunday in February that our first worship service was held. Pastor Grover Crosswhite opened the doors of the Cornerstone Victory Church for us to hold our future services there at 5:00 PM each Sunday evening.
In our search to find a church home for our congregation, we met Pastor Sam Thomas of the Statesville Christian Center who offered us the entire use of their church facility. It was there that we continued our Sunday evening worship services but then added a Wednesday evening bible study and prayer. We diligently worked there believing God for the Spirit of increase.
We held our first worship service as a joint ministry on Sunday, August 1, 2004. On August 15, 2004, the Lord blessed us to purchase the elite Moose Club Lodge, located at 185 Moose Club Road in Statesville, which presently houses our church and future ministry programs. We anticipate the expansion of our ministry to its highest and greatest potential.
In August of 2005, in direct response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Bishop Taylor began the process of converting an old nursing home into a temporary housing facility we now call the “Ark of Refuge.” The need to expand our scope beyond hurricane victims quickly became apparent. We now provide services to individuals who are displaced due to circumstances beyond their control. This is one of many outreach programs to be birthed from the Fellowship Tabernacle Church.
