The Brooklyn Tabernacle

un incontournable de New York!!! nous voulions éviter les églises trop touristiques d’Harlem et restez proche de l’endroit où nous logions. on né l’a pas regretté!!!
200 choristes, des gens ultra accueillants! on a l’impression de faire parti de leur communauté! un grand moment d’émotion!
Foncez!!!

This is the 5^th time I have been to the Brooklyn Tabernacle and it was no less inspiring than the first! The choir is amazing! Pastor Cymbala is an anointed man of God, able to connect with those who attend on a weekly basis and those who are visiting from anywhere in the world. The congregation is welcoming and friendly. I highly recommend making a service at the tabernacle a priority while in New York!

Home Sweet Home
Going there is worth the trip because when you get there, the atmosphere is very positive and you feel the presence of God. You might come across things you don’t like, (like getting searched before you go inside), but the advantages of going there beats the disadvantages by a landslide!
Plus they have amazing praise and worship!

Alors attention ici on envoie du lourd !!! Bienvenue au Brooklyn Tabernacle.
Pour éviter les églises de Harlem qui sont bondées de touristes et où les fidèles sont en minorité, direction Brooklyn pour plus d’authenticité.
Pari gagné ! Assister à l’office du dimanche matin (9h/​11h et 13h) est un vrai show qui vous donnera une pêche d’enfer et vous fera peut-​être même verser une larme même si vous êtes athées.
Il faut arriver 1h avant l’office et suivre la queue située à l’extérieur. L’accueil est super chaleureux enfin tout à fait à l’américaine.
L’office dure 1h30 environ et commence par le chœur de 200 personnes ensuite vient le sermon du pasteur. Il est assez mal vu de quitter la salle après les chants, donc on reste pour écouter le pasteur ! D’autant qu’il serait dommage de manquer les hugs si chaleureux de la fin.
Si vous voulez donc vivre un moment gospel, dirigez-​vous vers le Tabernacle, vous en conserverez un bon souvenir.
Je précise que les gens qui viennent pour la 1ère fois sont invités à aller récupérer un petit cadeau à l’angle de la rue une fois la messe terminée.

A big and beautiful church I heard people talk about it but wow anywho. I came last nite and saw the Christmas show all in all it was a good show with a lot of humor and it was free too

Went here with a friend on a Sunday ! The 9am service was too early so we made it to the 12pm service and the church was packed ! There’s still some seats of course ! Every one was happy! The church is super big the pastor is great ! I really love this church and would def go back! They are very welcoming and so much ppl! The choir is very good btw!

Working as an occasional tour guide in NY I used to take my groups to gospel services in Harlem. With the years this has gotten harder and harder. It is a bit overrun by tourists and you also feel the frustration a bit in most churches from the locals, I can not blame them.
I am happy I followed the advice to try the Brooklyn Tabernacle.
It is very open minded and welcoming. There are 3 services a day, 9am (mostly locals), noon and 3pm. We arrived for the noon service but were invited in to attend the end of the 9am service.
They are very flexible and accommodating. Unfortunately this day the 9am service had no choir, so we were happy to come back at noon to experience the amazing choir! So definitely check with them (again they are super friendly at guest services!) about which 2 of the 3 services the choir is singing.

A bit odd to review a church, but I can still review it from the experience of a visitor. The real life of a church can’t really be known as a visitor and analyzed like a consumer — so take it with a grain of salt. It wasn’t my idea to visit a church on vacation, but our friend with us who really wanted to go.
My friend was aware to come an hour early to the service since they REALLY pack out for all 3 services. Good idea, since even parking will take you some time. When I arrived, they had a really friendly greeter who let me know where I could drop off the kids. All kids 3 and up actually go to another building (where the overflow auditorium is) just across the street. It’s all very well run and there’s always people willing to help and say hello, whether or not they’re a volunteer. Again, just bear in mind it’s a process and takes time to register — so you really can’t just arrive barely on time and hope to get into the main building and/​or get your kids into Sunday school.
I’d heard of the church and thought it was essentially known for its choir. I also thought the choir’s music style was gospel. The music was actually ‘contemporary style’ and the whole choir and makeup of the church for that matter is incredibly diverse. Every part of the church experience, right down to the service is a well-​oiled machine; yet there undoubtedly the sense of the presence of God. Most of the songs sung together were familiar and then the choir does a couple of their songs. It’s in a historic theatre, so the acoustics are phenomenal.
The pastor/​speaker came up and when I came across his name (Jim Cymbala) I immediately recognized it — I just hadn’t known it was connected to this church. I like that he’s straightforward and teaches out of the same passage, rather than jumping around with different verses. His preaching is essentially what it should be: challenging, but ultimately strengthening and directing people towards the power of God. It was a relief that there wasn’t a hint of ‘health and wealth’ or Christian-​packaged self-​improvement.
It was a great experience in every way. Any skepticism I had was erased. For a visitor, you’re made to feel welcome and though you will enjoy the ‘show’, you’ll also experience a genuine church experience and meeting with God.

This church is definitely a place to check out whether you’re visiting Brooklyn or need a slight change from your local community church. The choir is excellent and although the sermons are a hit and miss, most of the times you leave there learning something about the bible.

«Piece of heaven»
If you need from Jesus this is the place to worship. Wonderful atmosphere, beautiful church with wonderful music from the Grammy winner brooklyn tabernacle choir. Pastor cymbals with a message soo uplifting. The yearly Christmas show is amazing and free. If you need God this is a wonderful house of worship.
read less
Photo

Real deal church experience. Located on Smith Street and Fulton Mall, this place gets packed during the 12 o clock service. The pastor is amazing, and preached short and sweet without overdoing it, and the message is sincere and heartfelt. The BT Choir is an awesome choir, I recommend you buy or download (on Google Play) their CD album, called Pray, it will have you uplifted.

Outstanding. Our first visit was Easter 2015. What a grand experience for our family!

One time I was singing a praise worship song with my eyes closed. I was in a spiritual zone. Then an usher came to tap me because someone wanted the seat where I placed my bag. I was so angry. I understand wanting to let someone sit down over an inanimate object, but you’re not supposed to tap someone when they are connecting with God or any deity. It’s just wrong. The person sitting near me from the other side actually apologized to me because of this.
On a lighter note, the congregation is diverse, the assistant pastor (pastor Tim)‘s sermons are very wonderful, and their choir is amazing. But I don’t like their 2-​minute tradition of shaking hands with people. Maybe it’s because I’m a recluse.

My home church from 2009 – 2012, when I lived in BK. Great place of worship. Diverse. Welcoming. There are some challenges with a church of this size, but there are challenges at all churches. Awesome praise-​n-​worship and sermons. Highly recommend.

Enjoyed visiting the church. Got to be part of the Choir when Pastor Jim Cymbala asked all the men to come up to sing!

Today the minister talked about «hearing nice sermons» vs living, listening to, and obeying the Holy Spirit. I had the luxury of attending this church of ALL ethnicities. Today’s lesson was also about being baptized in water, the John the Baptist way where we agree to change our hearts and lives vs being baptized and receiving the Holy Spirit. We gave a lot of praise to God and his wonderment. The minister talked about the difference between «talking the talk» vs «walking the walk». The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir was a real treat. I came home and bought their latest CD called Pray. The minister talked about the importance of rather than NYC having an affect on us we with the Holy Spirit have an affect on NYC! Two Snaps Up:}

Who has 2 thumbs, and writes a review of going to church? This guy!
Let’s be perfectly honest here: there is a growing dissatisfaction with all things religious, particularly as folks become more aware of some of the really really stupid shit that people do in the name of religion. But I’ll promise you that even with that level of mistrust in all things religious, the experience at the Brooklyn Tabernacle is worth a visit.
The location is safe, and near many subway stops. It’s a madhouse once you get inside though. Services on Sundays at 9, 12 and 3, and they pack the place to the rafters (or the balconies in this case). Expect lots of standing, singing and hugging for the 2.25 hours you’ll spend in service (that’s not a typo… it really is at least a 2 hour commitment).
The Pastor (Jim Cymbala) is a legend in his own right, and terrific at what he does. Don’t come expecting some heavy handed preaching, but do come expecting to hear a message that may touch you that day.
So with all of this positivity, why just the 4 star rating and not 5? The worst fucking thing about religion is shame. Shame is a horrible way of making people do things, and when Pastor Cymbala spends 2 solid minutes telling you to «do what your heart says» in the context of giving money to the church… well that’s not doing what my heart says. It’s doing what you are shaming me into doing.
P. S. I haven’t even mentioned the choir, which is Grammy award winning, and truly something enjoyable. Come for the music, and stay for the love.

Amazing amazing amazing!!! The atmosphere is welcoming, the word is positive and uplifting! The message is real and raw. I loved it so much I wish I could go every Sunday.

I have always passed by this house of worship, but never entered until Caribbean Night. I was greeted by smiling ushers and quickly realized that this was more than a church, but an auditorium. I had no idea the Tabernacle could seat so many. Despite its size, there were monitors to help audience see the stage personnel and performances. The audio was also great. Positive attitude and very helpful members. Based on the multiple events advertised, they seem to be a community and faith-​oriented congregation. I hope to visit more often.

Praise the Lord! Church service here was so nice today. I LOVE the choir they can really sing. The service was awesome too. The greeters and ushers are so sweet and helpful. As a first time visitor I received a CD from the pastor as my welcome gift!
The Spirit was in the place.

Best church to go to in NY!
I come here every time I’m in the city throughout the years!
Huge church auditorium style with thousands of people.
Good singing/​praise and worship and great message.
Whenever I’m here… I have the most amazing feeling praising God with so many people… brings tears to my eyes… Gods presence fills this place of worship.
Love it!
If you’re looking for a good church to attend… look no further…
note– get there early as seats fill up quickly. It’s crazy to see so many people in one church.
Aloha!
— Miss Unilocal 2014

It feels strange to write a review about a church… But here we go.
BK Tab is magical. I know it’s a mega church with thousands and thousands of people in the congregation, but more than that — the Holy Spirit is there. There is an air to the place that will probably leave you in tears, and a real power. Pastor Cymbala, his wife, the choir, Pastor Dilina, etc — they have a voice that can speak straight to you, through you even when you’re sitting on the balcony at the edge of the Tabernacle.
Aside from that (you know, God) — it’s an experience. I go every Sunday, though not a member of the church (cause their member classes are at silly times, Thursday mid-​day, Tuesday AM… I can never make it to any). The praise, oh the praise — they are so talented but seemingly so regular. It will move you to your feet.
Everyone should experience a service at BK Tab, it really is an experience worth having, whether or not you are religious.

«Circles of Truth»
When life is good, we often take glory for it, as if we’re responsible for it. The human mind, the human ego can be so powerful, that we think we’re in charge of our own destiny. We’re not, it’s all god. The gifts you might have, the talents, the smarts, the grace… it all came from god. Our pride gets in the way and until we completely humble ourselves and truly ask god to help us in our darkest/​weakest moments and truly guide us, and really open our hearts and souls to him, only then, will true blessings be bestowed upon us. «For god opposes the proud and only gives grace to the humble.”– 1 Peter 5: 5 – 6 Why do you think people raise their hands to god when they sing, it’s not only to praise him, but to allow grace in.
If you think about it we’re just ants to him, idiots running around thinking we’re so gosh darn important, and in 50 – 60 years, no one will remember us. Crazy right, so there’s two options. You can either live your life however the heck you want to (that’s your choice), or you can have faith that every step, every breath, was given to you for a purpose. You living right now is to serve a purpose! Whatcha gonna do with it?
That was the message today and it brought me to tears. I cried the entire time because I can’t believe how much god has blessed little olé’ me. It’s weird, I could feel all my parents’ prayers, my aunt’s prayers, and everyone else in my life that prayed for me before I came out to New York. I could feel all their love hovering over me, protecting me and giving me the strength that I need everyday, to navigate through this thing called, «life.»
I could feel the spirit working within me and reaching deep within my soul. I was so moved that I was swaying back and forth while singing. The music took over me.
There’s something extra special at this church, be it the amazing 280 person choir that literally blows your mind and ear or the love and joy people have at this church is like no other. The no-​fuss, no-​muss, everyone is welcome, doesn’t matter what race, gender, social-​economic background, you are… if you want to be heard, healed, touched, saved, loved, whatever, this is the place.
Brooklyn Tabernacle is enormous and although it has an award-​winning choir (won the Dove Awards 5 times and the Grammy Awards 6 times!) and the church is internationally known, one would think, «Gosh, I feel so alone, I don’t know anyone.» Nope, quite the opposite. The people are so warm and welcoming. I told them this was my first time and that I had heard so many amazing things about this church. By the end of service, I talked to and hugged so many random people. People I would never cross paths with in my «normal life,”– people who later blessed me, people who truly loved me through the eyes of God. It was powerful.
Even if you’re not a believer… I would highly recommend coming here. Take a couple hours out of your Sunday afternoon and just witness what happens. But, soon, you’ll want a piece of what everyone has… which is unconditional love, forgiveness and grace from God. No human flesh can ever compete with that.