In 1904, a small group of Swedish immigrants started and built the First Swedish Baptist Church of Kenosha. They were a group of people that wanted to worship God, but also wanted a sense of family, and community. They wanted a place to call home. When they first started, their services were completely in Swedish, helping to create a close-knit group. A second church was built in 1910. In 1914, the church began to have services in English, in an effort to reach the larger community. In 1928, the First Swedish Baptist Church voted to become The Baptist Tabernacle. The name change not only allowed them to hold on to their roots, but also to follow the vision God had given them. They were no longer exclusively Swedish, but a church that was a home for people of different backgrounds. A third church was built in the current location in 1962. In 2016, while continuing to seek God's vision for our church, while staying true to our roots, we desired a name that fits who we were culturally and spiritually; a name that fits our vision. So, in 2016, the church voted to rename the church to 'The Tabernacle'. It was similar to the name we had for almost 9 decades, but with clear distinction. Our founders wanted to make sure that they were a church that was accessible to everyone, not just Swedish people. We wanted the same. By removing one word, our church became more accessible. On the surface, it seemed like a small change, but it brought clarity to the vision God has called us to. The Tabernacle is a name we were familiar with and had great depth. Our logo, in the shape of a tent, is a symbol of who we are. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses and the Israelites to build him a home in the form of a tent. He said (Leviticus 26:11-12 NKJV) I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. While most people think of the Tabernacle as the physical structure in the Old Testament, the idea is even more powerful in the New Testament. John 1:14 (NLT) says 'So the Word (God) became human and made his home among us'. Because God is with us in and through Christ, we can be confident in being a fellowship where we make disciples of Jesus in Kenosha and beyond.