Manhattan Grace Tabernacle - (212) 316-5848

We have a role to play in the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days

A non-denominational church for all; daughter church of The Brooklyn Tabernacle.

Senior Pastor: Luis A. Rivera
Assoc. Pastor: Ralph Rodriguez

Overseer: Rev. Jim Cymbala

Manhattan Grace Tabernacle- The History

At a Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir Concert, held at Radio City Music Hall in September 1989, Pastor Cymbala announced the inauguration service of a new sister church, Manhattan Grace Tabernacle. The inauguration service, which was held on Sunday, September 10, 1989, included several people who had received Christ as Savior at the Radio City concerts.

Consequently, Manhattan Grace Tabernacle (“MGT”), a non-denominational Christian Church and sister church to the Brooklyn Tabernacle, was established.

Rev. Luis A. Rivera, MGT’s Senior Pastor, a former schoolteacher, was a Brooklyn Tabernacle member for many years. He served in the Ushers Ministry, Choir, and Prayer Band. He also served as Associate Pastor at Crossroads Tabernacle for five years before returning to BT to further prepare for what God had called him to. Pastor Rivera’s vision is evangelism-reaching souls with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

For two years MGT gathered in a three story, commercial loft space in the upper west side of Manhattan. Shortly after MGT’s inaugural service, we secured additional space that we converted into sanctuary space so as to accommodate more people. We kept the original rented space for classrooms and office space. This building was a city-owned building that was eventually auctioned and sold. The new owners quadrupled the rent, forcing us out after three years. MGT then rented space from another organization in a different location of Manhattan (76th St. & Central Park West). This facility was larger and accommodated our growing congregation. However, negotiating space and limited access to the building usually resulted in many problems. After three years, MGT was again forced to secure space in another location because of the terrific increase in rent.

That is how we arrived at the Broadway Presbyterian Church, where we gathered from Dec. 1995 until Nov. 2004. After another significant rent increase, we decided to rent space in a public school. Our home until Oct. 2007 was the Don Pedro Albizu Campos elementary school on W. 133rd and Amsterdam. In 2007, we relocated to the auditorium in the Roberto Clemente elementary school on E. 103rd and Second Avenue. The Lord recently blessed us with a NEW home on E. 116th between 2nd & 3rd Avenues (we share space with the Primera Iglesia Bautista - and what a blessing it has been!).

We are thankful for the spaces that we have rented where we have been able to gather to proclaim the gospel message and see many lives transformed.

Tags: Religious Center