On Sunday, June 30, we will have the Community Tabernacle Service at 8 a.m. here in North Carrollton. I have many memories of the Fourth of July community worship service at the Tabernacle. There has been a lot of good work going on around the tabernacle. The construction of the new Big Sand Creek bridge in 2023 and the work with the new park on the horizon at Big Sand Creek near the Carroll County Tabernacle makes for a bright future.
With the new bridge completed and the recreational park in the works, its addition will be very beneficial to this area. With restrooms and the new sidewalks at the tabernacle, they will open the door to more opportunities at that landmark by building onto the past. The town of North Carrollton was awarded a $357,000 grant for funding of the park at Big Sand Creek. These efforts in bringing this funding to our community will be beneficial for generations to come. As we get closer to community service later this month I am reminded of the history of this landmark. The tabernacle worship service began when the Carrollton and North Carrollton Methodist churches made plans for a joint revival meeting almost 100 years ago.
There has been an abundance of ministers that have ministered over the years at the tabernacle that has forever left an impression on this community. The names of Rev. Martin Smith, Rev. Tom Sorrell, and Rev. George Smith are just some of many.
These dedicated servants not only helped in carrying on the tradition of these worship services over the years, but they also helped build a foundation that is for generations to come. There have been countless times through the years of religious fellowship with community fellowship that left lifelong memories for generations from this landmark on the banks of Big Sand Creek. In July 1950 a newspaper article read that the annual revival services would be held at the tabernacle that began on July 16, 1950, and extended through July 23, 1950, with services twice a day at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. and local businesses were to be closed during the service times. The tabernacle and Big Sand Creek have a solid and historical past. Building on this landmark area’s past with the solid improvements coming will be important for generations. There are so many memories over the decades of this landmark area. I’m often reminded of what Eudora Welty once said, “A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.”
Big Sand Creek, the tabernacle, and worship service at the tabernacle are a foundation of our community that has been an institution through the years. In the future, with a lot of dedication and hard work, this area will reach a new level with appreciation of the past and reaching full potential for generations to come.
Ken Strachan serves as the mayor of North Carrollton is a member of the Mississippi Municipal League board of directors.
