History of Victoria Tabernacle.

The church that sits at this location today is not the original Tabernacle church building.

Congregaton builds church 934 Scott – The original building at this location was destroyed by the 1951 Flood. 
The church that sits at this location today is not the original Tabernacle church building.  

Rev. A. L. Gamber - Original Pastor

Victoria Tabernacle began at 934 Scott in Kansas City, KS in the early 1900s.  Therefore, I wanted to see the church body grew and mature in the things of the Lord. As the Sheperd, I felt in my spirit the church was desiring for Revival. 

So, Rev. Herschel Whig (H. W.) and Joy O. Barnett contacted me about holding a revival for the church. After praying and careful consideration, it was determined that the church was ready in the next step of faith. 

Revival breaks out..... 
So Rev. Herschel Whig ( H. W. ) and Joy O. Barnett would come and hold a revival. Night after night, their would be singing and preaching. The altars would be filled with people that wanted a wanted to live for the Lord and wanted to see the Community reached withe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. As the revival continued, the Lord was leading me away to begin a New work. As I began to seek the Lord, I felt in my spirit that my time as pastoring this wonderful and faithful congregation was coming to an end. 

Resignation as Pastor 
Yes, I had mixed emotions about what  leaving, but, I must be obedient to the Voice of the Lord. I submitted my resignation to the Board and they accepted. However, I had alot of mixed emotion along with my family. Little did I know that God was raising up a young evangelist and his wife to become the next pastor of this great church and faithful congregation. 

Rev. Herschel Whig ( H. W.) and Joy O.  Barnett - Elected Pastors

As a young evangelist and husband, little did I realize what was about to happen. After accepting the pastorialship of the church and congregation, little did I realize what was about to happen. The church was doing good, alot of good music and preaching. Then all of sudden bam.....

The Kansas City area began to receive rain. It rained for days and was like an ocean of water was opened up and went everywhere. Rosedale, Armordale and surrounding areas were hit with the 1951 flood. Houses, animals and  buildings were being swept down the river. 

1951 hits Victoria Tabernacle church

After several hours and days of rain, I received word that the church had been swept off it's foundation and was floating down the river.The church was literally destroyed. As a young pastor, I knew God called me to sheperd this flock. I spent many days and nights seekng the Lords direction for the congregation. After the flood hit, I made a few contacts with the City. They agreed to let the church use Memorial Hall to conduct services. Yet, the Board and I were seeking for higher ground to erected a New Church Building. We found new property and the congregation decided to rebuld at 1500 Central Avenue. 

Erecting of New Worship Center  - Building project set in place 
After securing property, it was to begin to build a New Worship Center that would seat hundreds of people. The church was preparing themselves for the next move of God. For the next several months,  nights after night several men would come and labor in the work of the Lord. Men would come and spend hours working on building the New Church. Clearing the property and excavating work began in what would be the next steps. Plumbing work was laid, forms were being set. Oh, how the congregation and I were excited about what the Lord was gonna do. After several months of labor, the basement was ready to occupy and work began on the scantuary, church office... etc. 

God is birthing ideas on how to Reach the Community
As a young pastor, God was birthing New ideas and opportunities on ways to reach the community with the message of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God declares: "Without a vision the people perish". I was like, Ok, Lord what are you trying to teach me? 

"Feed the Multitude" 
As I began to vision what was happening, the Lord was tugging at my heart what would become "Feed the Multitude". This would become a Community outreach for the church to invite friends, family and parents to come for a Thanksgiving Dinner provided by the Congregation as a Community Outreach. Various women were asked to take and turkey and cook it and then bring it back on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving along with a side dish. Wow, so much food and good home cooking. This continued for the next several years.

"The Largest Singing Christmas Tree" 
All of a sudden, after talking it over with my wife, we felt it would be wonderful to transform the Choir loft into what would become "The Largest Singing Christmas Tree Production". Several men would be instrumental in erecting scaffling and making sure it was secure. Members of the Choir and Congregation would stand on boards and raise there voice in song and praise. For the next several years people from all walks of faith and cities abroad would come to see the production and hear the message of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Little did I realize this production would become a World Wide event. Churches near and far have taken this ideas and continue this same production at the Christmas season.

"The Living Cross" 
Wow, Lord what are you showing me again? Another vision has taken place. Several men would be instrumental in erecting scaffling and making sure it was secure. Members or the Choir and Congregation would stand on board and raise there voices in songs and praise. For the next several years people from all walks of faith and cities abroad would come to see the production and hear the message of the Gospel of he Lord Jesus Christ. 

Over the course of the next several years, I would have various Evangelist come in and hold Revival. Little did I understand what was about to happen. 

Joy O. Barnett - Struck with a heart attack 
As my wife and I were pastoring this congregation, all of a sudden Joy became very ill. After consulting with a Medical Doctor it was determined she had been struck with a heart attack. I was like, Ok, Lord what are you trying to teach me now? I continued to take care of her and the church at the same time. While I continued, the church  began a Radio Broadcast over KKLO; Leavenworth KS for the next several years. The broadcast would consist of Monday - Friday from 8:00  - 8:30 am and Sunday Mornings from 11:00 am - 12:15 pm. While listening to the broadcast on a Sunday morning, Joy was miracullously healed.  Once confirmed, God began to birth in her a ministry. 

As I began to seek the Lord, I felt the Lord begin to tug at my heart to begin this NEW FELLOWSHIP located at 934 Scott. Little did I know that this was the Armourdale District of Wyandotte County. Over the course of the next few years, we saw many lives come through our doors. Souls were saved. Hearts and Lives were changed. People would receive the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. God was doing something great. Just as the Ministry was going great, God had another plan; He was calling me away from Victoria Tabernacle. Finally it was time for me to step aside and obey the voice of the Lord. Therefore the church would be open to seeking and finding a New Pastor. As tryouts would begin, a young man H. W. (Herschel Whig) along with his wife Joy O. Barnett came and tried out. After preaching his message

, the church would take and vote. We would step out to another area of the church and let the members vote. We were asked to return to the Sanctuary.

Rev. H. W. and Joy Barnett

Congregation elects Rev. H. W. (Herschel Whig) and Joy O. Barnett to become Pastors

Once in the Sanctuary, we found out that the membership had wanted us to become there new Pastors. I had my days cut out for me. Over the next several years, God began to birth within my heart new ideas and ways to bring in the lost souls.

1951 Floor hits, Church swept down the Kaw River . . .

Then all of a sudden, the Flood of 1951 hit the Kansas City area and literally destroyed the church at 934 Scott. I needed to find a way to keep this congregation together that God had called me to be the Shepherd of. So, I contacted the City of Kansas City, KS and was able to obtain permission to use what is known as "Memorial Hall" in Kansas City, KS as a Temporary Worship Facility. So, for the next few weeks, the Board, Membership and I would discuss and seek out where to build our New Facility.

Purchasing of Property and Erecting the “New Sanctuary” begins….

After looking at some property at the northeast corner of 15th Street & Central Avenue, it was felt that was where God was directing our footsteps. We had the financing set in place, Groundbreaking began, and New Church building was being erected. Many men from the church would come and work on the building after laboring hard during the day. As the upper walls were being erected, we began holding services in the basement which houses many Sunday School rooms. As my vision began, I knew God wanted to do something mighty with this Congregation. With a new location comes a new name; Victoria Tabernacle will be the NEW name.

Another ministry begins – Christmas and Easter Productions

Over the course of the next few years God was birthing another ministry within my heart. Out of that came: Christmas and Easter Productions. My spouse, "Joy O. Barnett" would write the script for the productions, Director the Cast, Choir Director just to name a few. Some of you have known and loved them and are being used across the globe: The Singing Christmas Tree, The Living Cross and The Living Lords Supper. This would last for years to come. As the congregation grew, it became necessary for us to purchase properties and land around the church.

Fire Strikes – July 04, 1976

Then, all of a sudden in the early morning hours of July 4 1976, a fire strikes the Main Sanctuary. We would have to temporarily locate the church on the Northwest Corner of 16th Street and Central Avenue. For the next year we would have service in the building formerly "Barneys Boats and Tallman Auto Body Repair".  As the Board and I began to discuss the rebuilding of the church at the present sight, we literally lost everything "Organ, Props, Costumes just to name a few" within the platform parameters. Once again, God was moving within the Congregation.

Joy O. Barnett stricken with Cancer – Congregation elects Associate Pastors Rev.  Danny and Renee Millwood

As my wife had been stricken with cancer, God sent a Young Pastor and his wife to help "Rev. Danny Millwood". Then, after two years, God had another vision for them. Then, as we were settled into the Rebuilt Structure, God began to move. All of a sudden, I was hospitalized for a few days in the early months of 1983. Little did I know that God was getting ready to call me home.

God calls Rev. H. W. Barnett home

On June 16, 1983 in the early morning hours, God called me home to be with him.

As God allowed me this Legacy, many things would take place over the next few years.

Congregation elects Rev. William R. and Dorothy Ecceles to become Pastors

In August of 1983 God was preparing another Pastor, Rev. William R. and Dorothy Ecceles to pastor a great congregation. For the next 7 years God would allow Dorothy and I to carry a vision for the congregation.  Then in all of a sudden God was calling us to Michigan to Pastor another great congregation. Once again this church would be seeking another Minister who would proceed me in this capacity.

Congregation elects Rev P. G. (Perry) and Rebecca “Becky” Martin to become Pastor

In February of 1990 a Young Couple Rev. Perry G. and Rebecca “Becky" Martin were appointed to the Pastorialship. Then, after many years God began to deal with me about expanding our field and opportunities. I felt God was calling us to the Western edge of Wyandotte County.

Congregation votes to relocated church Western Wyandotte County

After many years at the current location God was compelling me to move this Congregation to the Western Edge of Wyandotte County. Construction began.

F-4 Tornado hits structure – May 04,2003

 All of a sudden Satan again tried to stop this ministry by Powerful High winds and tornadic conditions in May 22, 2004. This structure was unsafe, so we began to fellowship temporarily at Eisenhower Middle School and Church offices relocated at 81st & Parallel. 

Pastor P. G. (Perry) and Rebecca “Becky” resigns as Pastors

Then all of a sudden God was calling Becky and me to another part of the World. So, on February 28, 2010 I officially resigned as Pastor. Thus be known’s to me, he would be calling us to relocate to Illinois to begin a ministry there.

Copyright 2013 | Disclaimer: Some parts of this were written by another person.

Therefore I have Edited, Compiled or Written some parts of this as well.  Dennis Smith