Gospel Tabernacle COGIC 144 Mang Avenue, Gibbstown, New Jersey was founded by the late Elder Isaiah Baker.

In 1952, the Lord guided Elder Baker and his wife, Mother Ethel Baker to Gibbstown, NJ which then was referred to as Paulsboro, to lead his people. Prior to building a church they had service in a tent for six months. The Lord blessed and later they began to worship in the basement of Sis. Funche’s house located on Berkley Street.

The Lord gave Elder Baker a vision. A vision to build a house for the Lord, and a rest home for older saints. With this thought in mind, at the start of 1953 he began to build his church from the ground. A two story edifice, which we know and love as Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ Inc.

Elder Baker worked diligently. Never losing sight of his vision. Saturday was the main workday. Elder Baker would bring men from his job to assist in his work. Elder George Miller, Elder Selder Moragne, and Brother Lenwood Waller were is main strongholds.

The Lord continued to pour out his blessings as he touched the hearts of the neighbors. They were very kind and helpful. Neighbors served the men as they work to build God’s House. By the Fall of 1953, the roof was being put on Gospel Tabernacle.

When they were able to have service in the building, Elder Baker, his wife and family were the only members. Although the foundation was laid, Elder Baker’s work was just beginning. He continued to do God’s will, and the Lord sent him help. First came Mother Sarah West, the late Mother Beatrice Phillips, the late Mother Catherine Meritt, and the late Sis. Lillian Darby. Later, Mother Vonaia Roberts and Deacon & Sis. Joseph Jones followed.

On September 20, 1957, five years after the Lord had sent him, the Lord called Elder Isaiah Baker home. He passed away while working on his secular job. Mother Ethel Baker, along with the help of Mother Vonaia Roberts and Deacon & Sis. Joseph Jones carried on the work of the Lord until God sent Elder George Coble and his wife Mother Florence Coble.

It was Elder Baker’s desire that upon his death Elder Coble would pastor and carry on the work that he started. Elder George Coble immediately began a diligent effort to continue building the church. He dug out the church basement, extended the back portion of the church, put in a heating system, made an “A” roof on the church, and put in bathrooms. There were also numerous other accomplishments made.

Upon his death on October 23, 1978, the Lord sent Elder Milton E. Moore Sr. to continue the work of the late Elders Isaiah Baker and George Coble. Elder Moore labored tirelessly to beautify the House of God and bring lost souls to Christ. Under the direction of the Lord he remodeled the bathrooms and basements, expanded church property and bought a house for the church, made a parking lot, and purchased a bus and vans for the church.

His arm bearers were his wife, Evangelist Barbara Bryant Moore, Mother Ethel Baker, Mother Lorraine Coble, Missionary Edith Jones, the late Deacon Edward Robert and Mother Vonaia Roberts, the late Mother Vernice Harper, Sis. Marion Harper, Missionary Shirley Robinson, Mother California Moore, the late Deacon Tyronne Cannon, and the late Deacon Tony Thompson. The church continued to prosper over the years under the leadership of Elder Milton E. Moore Sr.

On October 2, 2006, Elder Milton E. Moore Sr. resigned after serving Gospel Tabernacle for 28 years. He then passed on the mantle on to Elder Roy L. Cook Sr. and his wife Monica Moore-Cook. The Lord continues to send new members into the vineyard to help his servants.