History

Historical Sketch of the Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love, Inc.

Our Heritage

The bond fire of ministry blazing in the present day Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love, began as a spark that flow from the fire of a winter revival conducted by the late Reverend Inez W. Choates of Durham, North Carolina. This mighty spark of the Spirit, set fire to a young musician, by the name of Kenneth Herbert Moales, and propelled into the courts of his higher calling where he began to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. This unparalleled release of God anointing upon Kenneth’s life, served as the harbinger of several events a life‐changing event, which led to the founding of the Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love, Inc. Although the young Kenneth Moales continued to minister in the area of music, the fire continued to burn in his soul then soon again out of his mouth.

This fire could not be quenched. One Saturday while rehearsing the Youth and Young Adult Community Choir, young Moales was compelled by the Spirit to peach to the youthful gathering; telling them to, “Run For Your Life, For the Life You Save May Be Your Own”. Many young people were converted that day and, God’s spirit was poured out in every rehearsal thereafter. There was such a move of God that the officials at Russell Temple CME Church, where the choir met for weekly rehearsals, asked them to relinquish rehearsing there. The Church officials feared this assemblage of rejoicing young people was “fronting as a church.”. With nowhere to go, they continued their Saturday rehearsals in the tiny living room of young Moales and wife Peggy, a young bride of just barely one year.

The favor of God was apparently with this naïve band of unsullied worshippers because several churches opened their doors to them until more permanent facilities were located. In July of 1968, Mr. Raines, a Deacon of the Messiah Baptist Church, open the doors of a storefront at 1378 Stratford Avenue, Bridgeport, CT. Most activities were held during the day because there were no funds available to turn on the lights. Not only were the weekly choir rehearsals held there but, this passionate young leader began youth activities and made provision for an informal Sunday School so that the young people in the community could attend with out concern for their more relaxed style of dress. For the next few months, dedicated youth and a small number of adults would meet in the evenings for prayer. Before praying, Mother Mary Moales encouraged the group to continue to pray for guidance. “It’s Done By Faith”, “Operation Faith”, “Without Faith It Is Impossible To Please God”, was the word God spoke to them and so, they continued.

As the Lord would have it, the community choir declined in numbers, but the remnant of the faithful was not discouraged because they had been prayerful and understood that God, in His divine providence, was setting them apart for a very unique ministry in the city. So on July 29, 1969, a joint meeting was held with the existing members of the Youth and Young Adult Choir and it’s remaining supervisors to establish the Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love. From that meeting thirty people committed themselves to the charter of the church and the newly organized congregation of the Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love was dedicated and the Reverend Inez W. Choates preached the official opening message from Nehemiah 6:15, “Build Up the Walls”. The Brave young Moales and his wife, this group of young people with it’s hands full of adults, began to work as never before and while in the making process of God, suffered as never before.

Many who encouraged the singing ministry of the choir rejected the ministry as a church. Though persecuted, they continued to trust in God, knowing that “all things were working together for their good”. The church grew and was offered a larger storefront at 1382 Stratford Avenue where it continued to proper. In February 1977, the church purchased a building at 1277 Stratford Avenue and renovated it so that it would have a seating capacity of 150. The new church had classrooms for training and a full finished basement where fellowship luncheons and banquets could be held. Although the church had not planned to stay in this facility forever, it was astonishing that in only five short years, they had out grown this place too. Once again the Lord met their needs. On July 9, 1982 another milestone was marked. When the Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love, purchased the historic Newfield Methodist Church at 1243 Stratford Avenue, which is presently the location of our south campus.

For 42years, The Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love has met the challenges of its community. With steadfast ministry, it continues to experience phenomenal growth. In three services held on Sunday, The Most Reverend Kenneth H. Moales, Sr., welcomes over 1000 worshippers each week, and ministers to a gathering for over 300 every Wednesday evening in the midweek service. The Prayer Tabernacle Church serves its community through evangelism, outreach and education. It ministers to those who are bound by the lure of substance abuse through its affiliation with Refocus and Out of the Darkness. The Agape Kitchen ministers to the needs of the hungry, the Mary Moales Clothing Center ministers to the needs of those without proper clothing. The Prison Ministry, provides a wonderful worship experience the men and women who are incarcerated and with follow‐up ministry for them upon release. Since it’s beginning Prayer Tabernacle has maintained relevant youth ministry, and continues to do so by way of the C.R.E.A.M. Club and annual youth convention.

As Pastoral Partner First Lady Peggy Moales, leads us in the vision for educating our children. We now have Kingdom Little Day Care, School Readiness, and Love Christian Academy, an elementary school, going up to the sixth grade. Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love has a rich history, planted in a powerful past, proven by a prolific present, and it is powering towards a victorious future. P.T.C.O.L. continues follow it’s leader as we have embarked upon the greatest virtue since the founding of this church, the completion of the 1500 seat Pentecostal Cathedral , fashioned for the works of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus the Christ giving glory to the almighty God.

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