Birmingham International Church

The Birmingham Gospel Tabernacle is a former church, affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in the United States. The congregation was organized by Glenn Tingley on December 31, 1929 with 234 charter members, and incorporated on March 12, 1930.

During the year of its founding, the church agreed to purchase a lot at 1820 7th Avenue North for $75,000. The onset of the Great Depression forced it to alter its plans for a permanent church building. The church leased its new site and erected a smaller frame structure nearby on 6th Avenue North. That building quickly proved too small, and was condemned by fire inspectors in 1930. A new building on the 7th Avenue site was financed by a mortgage drawn up in 1945. It was paid off in June 1951, at which time the church had 1,435 members on its rolls.

In 1960 a new brick- and stone-clad building was constructed for the Birmingham Gospel Tabernacle for $160,000. The air-conditioned building was equipped with special lighting and equipment for televising services. In addition to the main sanctuary, the building accommodated a nursery, Sunday School rooms, and offices..

The present Birmingham Fire Station No. 1 was constructed adjacent to the Tabernacle building in 1971.

The former Birmingham Gospel Tabernacle was converted into offices. The cross-shaped cap on the entrance tower was removed. It has since been called the Legal Services Building for prominent tenant, Legal Services Alabama.

Pastors

• Glenn Tingley, 1929–1956
• Ronald Johnson, 1956–

References

• "Start Is Made On Fund For Building Permanent Gospel Tabernacle Here." (April 15, 1930) The Birmingham News, p. 2
• "Gospel Tabernacle to burn $40,000 mortgage Sunday." (June 10, 1951) The Birmingham News, p. 5
• "Tabernacle gets new sanctuary" (June 11, 1960) The Birmingham News, p. 3