Long ago, a fledging fellowship gathered together over the Ford Garage on Broad Street in Hillsdale, Michigan. In 1927, 23-year old Ray Stenger and his young wife, Mable, joined this group which would later be known as El Bethel Tabernacle. The early years of the church were filled with a great move of the Holy Spirit. Prophetic messages of “Hell, Fire and Brimstone” were balanced with moving serm
ons of “God’s Love” and “Heaven.” Services were filled with people shouting, dancing and falling on their faces before God, repenting of their sins. In 1937, the church body decided to buy a building then owned by the Baughey Brothers, ministers in another denomination. Since the huge sum of $800.00 was hard to come by for the little church, Ray’s father, Vernon Stenger, borrowed the money to purchase the building which was at 68 Goodrich Avenue. He was later reimbursed by the congregation. Upon moving the church body from Broad Street to Goodrich Avenue, Rev. Rouland changed the name of the church to El Bethel Tabernacle. El Bethel Tabernacle - 1937
In 1992, the congregation decided to purchase land at the current address and began building the new site. In its long history, 84 years of ministry, El Bethel Church has undergone many changes but the purpose of ministry has remained the same--to be ambassadors of God's Kingdom here on earth, and to win souls by ministering and living the grace of Jesus.
