The Beginning

Tabernacle Church of Norfolk began at 39th & Elkhorn in 1935 as a non-denominational missions-minded Bible church affiliated with the Christian & Missionary Alliance (CMA) church. Over the years it grew and moved locations around Norfolk, including 25th Street and 7120 Granby Street. In 1944, Pastor John Dunlap, and his wife, Lolly, came. In 1953, Pastor Dunlap brought Pastor Gene Garrick, and his wife, Helena, on staff to minister to the youth and Norfolk Christian School, which began in 1952.

World Missions

Missions has always been important to the church, allowing us to see how God met the needs of the missionaries and the church through obedient interaction and support. Pastors John Dunlap and Gene Garrick brought missionary needs to the congregation, involving even children congregants. The church formed missionary furlough residences and named them in honor of Mrs. Zuidema, who for many years was the Missions Secretary. The building still stands today on Midfield Street. For over 50 years, Tab has taken up an offering at Christmas to gift our global workers. Some monetary gifts went to purchase vehicles, hurricane relief, farm start up, water tanks, hospital equipment, and Bible translations.

Ministry Planting

Many ministries of Tab evolved as a extension of the Christian home. Some of these ministries including Norfolk Christian Schools (1952), radio ministry (1953), Triple R Ranch (1960), and the National Institute for Learning Development (1982). Most of these ministries reached across Norfolk and the Hampton Roads area, while some, like the radio ministry, reached to the nations via recorded sermons. Because many people had developed a connection through these ministries, they felt like they were a part of the congregation without ever setting foot inside the church building.

Church Planting

Beginning in 1950's Tab Church had a vision to plant non-denominational, missions-minded Bible churches in every city in Hampton Roads. Tab maintains close ties to the church plants and this group is referred to as the Consortium - an aligned partnership that is united in the vision and focus of being broadly evangelical and committed to global ministry. These churches share needed counsel and assistance by working together in global ministry endeavors, gathering together for special ministry and fellowship events, exchanging pulpits periodically, and praying for one another. These churches include the following:

Virginia Beach Community Chapel

Williamsburg Community Chapel

Centerpoint Community Church

Peninsula Community Chapel

James River Community Church

Eastside Church (planted by Williamsburg Community Chapel)

Where We Are Now

In 1991, the pastoral staff had a vision to purchase the Winn Nursery property at 7000 Granby Street. The original 7120 Granby Street property was built directly after WWII when streetcars drove down commuter tracks down what is now the broad, lovely median on Granby Street and parking was not required nor needed. There were only 20 parking spaces for 700+ congregants. Piece by piece, the Lord allowed the church to buy this property and rebuild the church on this lot one block from where the former church stood. The praying, planning, successful and harmonious consensus building and fundraising took nearly 10 years. In 2000, the new church building was built and opened (known as Miracle 2000). The 7120 Granby Street church was sold to the City of Norfolk for their Fire Training Center and the former Norfolk Christian Grammar School was sold to Beth Messiah.

For the 10-part series of Tab Church's Historical Videos from 2012, click here.