Full Gospel Tabernacle Church

Bishop Al Green has touched the hearts of millions with his music, but he adds to that legacy every week by inspiring churchgoers and encouraging the talents in his own community. This church is beautiful and very welcoming to visitors. Clearly folks are used to music fans showing up, and visitors are treated with kindness and love.

For tourists, this is a wonderful experience. You will not meet Al Green- he appears on stage midway through the service and disappears before it’s over, never to be seen again. He doesn’t shake people’s hands as they’re leaving, there isn’t a coffee hour- it’s not entirely a regular church experience. But if you want to attend a truly engaging service with stellar music, this is a treat. Tourists outnumbered regular congregants when I visited. Everyone was doing their darndest to behave respectfully. Unfortunately I left through the wrong door, which locked behind me, and I got stuck in a locked and gated yard. In banging on any door where someone might guide me out, I discovered that there is a whole weird backstage vibe. Not weird in the sense of any kind of debauchery, just that there is a certain paranoia about women throwing themselves at Bishop Green. I can’t speak to whether this has happened recently. The man is 74 and is clearly putting all his energy into the service. You can’t begrudge anyone in the operation for being protective of him. The vibe is just off- there isn’t the infrastructure in place to handle anything outside of European tourists who sit quietly in the back. So if you get turned around in a strange space and locked in the yard, you’ll be screamed at through a cracked door by someone who clearly could care less if you dehydrate to death out there in the heat. For members of the media- Don’t bother. There’s no proper way to make a media request. You’re not allowed to get an email to the office or a publicist. Really- “I can’t give that to you. I’ll get in trouble.” You’ll get a major, major runaround and end up feeling gaslit. It is a thousand times kinder to just say no than to waste people’s time and energy, but, again, if you’re not from the church or a European tourist sitting quietly in the back, you’re automatically up to no good and the church does not know how to handle you.

I can't express the feeling of love and light this service brought to me. Bishop Al Green is a powerful messenger. The band and choir make such heavenly noise. A lovely church, truly welcoming visitors from every walk of life.

Me And My Family from Toledo, Ohio Were in Memphis, Tenn 3/6/2022 for a Quartet Showcase. We decided to attend Bishop AL Green's Church His Members were so Friendly and welcoming. I really enjoyed myself. From Sunday School and then Morning Service. It was A Blessing. I was so excited to be There! Bishop Green, Waved at us which made Us Smile!!! Prayerfully Lord's Willing we will be Back To Sing at The Church My Group Name Is Nikki "D" & The Browns God Bless You Bishop AL Green and Congregation

Very nice church with Sunday school study at 9:45 & full Sunday Service at 11:30. Bishop Al Green sung & preached with a full choir. Very nice congregation. We especially enjoyed the Sunday school teaching Plenty of room and many visitors. You will enjoy this nondenominational service.

very thankful for the possibility to be there on sunday. Amazing experience. Although I have not expected this, Bishop Al Green was there himself!

very thankful for the possibility to be there on Sunday. If you have the possibility, don't miss this amazing experience. Everyone was very friendly and we felt very welcomed

We were in Memphis on Sunday and decided to visit Reverend Al Green’s church. Fortunately for us this was their first Sunday back from the pandemic. The service did not disappoint. We arrived in time for Sunday School which starts at 9:30am and the Worship service started 11:30. Rev Al and his choir sang a lot of songs. I have to say even tho he’s in his 70s now the Reverend still got it. It was so good to hear him singing for the Lord. His message was straight from the throne room. The Holy Spirit was definitely moving in the room. There was a good crowd of visitors Black and White and we were all graciously received by the congregation. They came around and made us feel welcome asking us where we were from. Everybody had on a mask. It was a perfect way to spend Sunday away from home. NOTE: I tried my best not to act starstruck cause I love me some Al Green lol.

"Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this email. I'll try to keep this brief as I know your time is valuable. My father, who is 80, and his sister, who is 90, have been devoted fans of Mr. Al Green for many years. They have more years behind them than ahead, and every time we are in your area, attending your church is a must for us. We have a yearly family reunion, and whenever it's nearby, we make it a point to try and attend a service with Mr. Green in attendance. Unfortunately, we haven't had any luck in our five attempts so far, and I'm really hoping time isn't running out. I don't want to rely on our reunions to attend your church, so I'm reaching out for your help. Could you please let me know when Mr. Green will be leading a service or in attendance? It would mean the world to my father and aunt to see him in person. Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated."

Mr. Henderson I think was the ministers name who did the sunday school before Bishop Al Green preached and he was PHENOMENAL! He went verse by verse, precept by precept and was very engaging! I could have went home after that. We stayed for the entire service. I am a 90s baby so I didn't come to see Al green, I came to church for the Word and I got it. The band was VERY talented. Yes their were people from Columbia, France, Canada etc there and everyone was 100 percent welcoming. Bishop Green still has a lovely voice. For anyone who says anything about any preacher speaking against homosexuality, well then you clearly haven't read your bible. Bible believers as a whole (should) go off of the Word of God, not our personal opinions. You would need to take that up with God himself if you have any issues with what HE says about that topic. The end.

This was a major disappointment. The choir was good. Reverend Green came out, and almost the first thing he did was ask for the tithes and the envelopes that we were given. He proceeded to read a biblical passage, and had a very hard time getting thru it. He related it to nothing in reality. He sang for a couple of minutes, but seems to be having trouble breathing. His "sermon" was rambling and incoherent. There appeared to be very few actual church members. The people who work in the church and the choir were all very good. However, many people left early, including us. I would not advise spending time at this church again and would look for one with a good choir and a sincere minister. There were no good vibes coming from Bishop Green. I am still a big fan of his early hits, and always will be. However, it will be a while before I'm into listening to them again after this experience. He berated a young child for talking in a not very nice way.

TURN OFF YOUR CELLPHONES when you're in a church, people. They went off three times - and one clueless lady just let her tropical ringtone keep going... amplified with church acoustics. So disrespectful. The service we attended was very joyous in tone (no homophobic messages) and warm and welcoming to outside visitors. The band - with guitar, bass, drums, organ and piano - is amazing. One of the female solo singers was a great blues/soul singer. My husband and I are musicians and not particularly religious. Al Green was in really good spirits until the cell phones. But be prepared that 1) the service can take 2.5 hours and you can't get up and leave, there's no break (but we thought the time flew by.) 2) do NOT use flash photography and maybe just try to be in the moment and don't photograph at all. 3) this is a Sunday sermon for the local parish where local events will be addressed - the focus is not to be a tourist attraction. 4) other pastors will be leading the service for the first half before Al Green begins to talk (and sing!) Show respect, set aside ample time, turn off your phones, and have a really cool and uplifting experience.

Having been a faithful fan of Al Green's since I was a child and now over thirty years later to go visit his church was a real treat. We felt that attending one of Pastor Green's services was better than any of his concerts or public appearances because we really got to truely see his authentic heart for God, not to mention the added bonus of getting to hear him sing with the voice that God gifted him with.

The good: The music is incredible. Parking is easy. Some of what Al Green says can be very inspirational and powerful. Multi-racial friendly. The bad: The homophobia. The bottom line: It doesn't matter if you're black or white, but if you're gay, you go to hell, and Al Green wasn't shy in letting you know that you disgust him as well as kids he knows. In what was a 2.5 hour session of preaching and music, there were plenty of moments where many were in tears due to the strong emotions and beauty of the experience. It was completely jarring and pulled out group out the experience when homophobic comments were made in the context of two men kissing representing the end of days. It was just weird hearing just earlier how churches in the area evolved to allow both blacks and whites to attend together and what a wonderful thing that was, but apparently the same "love for others" doesn't include gays. The whole thing was a huge turn off for me and those I was with, not as a gay man, but as one who believes we should love all. It's sad to see a religion and the related culture decline due a refusal to evolve to be more inclusive all with the irony of the history of what occurred regarding blacks and whites. 2 stars because there is hope.

Get filled with the spirit! Those expecting a 'Blues Brothers', 'have you seen the light?' experience may be disappointed. Those that really want to to see The Most Reverend Al Green and want that wonderful soulful southern experience won't be disappointed. A couple of friends of mine that went were singled out for praise: 'I want to thank my white sisters for worshiping with use today.' From Al green's website: An Invitation to Worship with Us When you are in Memphis, we would be delighted to have you join us in joyful worship at the Full Gospel Tabernacle. Our regular services are: Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Morning Service 11:30 am Sunday Evening Worship (as scheduled) 4:00 pm Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:00 pm Thursday Night Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm

When you arrive, be cool. Don't act like a dorky tourist. Don't rush up to greet Rev. Al Green. And please, please---- don't take a gazillion photos while service is going on- be respectful, it's a church and not really a tourist attraction! don't forget to leave a donation! Our visit was awesome. We felt the spirit. And Rev Al Green spoke to us for a few moments. I was raised in a catholic church, so to come here and say a'men was like no other time in my religious history- Fun!

What a fantastic experience. Even if you're not a believer, it was still beautiful. A blessing to our souls. Bishop Al Green's energy made you feel loved and welcomed (he was very warm and greeted all visitors). It's important to donate because that's how they keep the church going and run the community. We especially liked the man running the bible study, a similar spirit as Bishop Green's. The "moms", the choir, Al, what amazing voices. Wish we could give it 10 stars!!! P.s. Awesome shoes and great hair! We are so glad to know that this is why he left mainstream music.

We happened to show up for Al's birthday celebration though his actual birthday is 4/13. Lovely music and everyone was welcome regardless of religion (or lack thereof) and we saw all types of dress from Sunday best to casual. We walked in late with no issue at noon and the service lasted til about 1.45pm (started at 11). It's just what we were looking for and after searching the Internet for a welcoming gospel church to attend we settled on Rev. Green's and couldn't be happier wit the choice. Enjoy!

When we arrived at the church, there was no one to welcome us. Someone joylessly told us that the service would start in a bit. The ranks of the congregation were thin and most people sat during the music. Rev. Green's sermon meandered, it did not appear to have any overarching theme and utterly lacked organization. At one point, he went on a rant against gays, spelling out the word "sick," "S! I! C! K!" He suggested that if someone didn't like it, they should leave. We complied.

Made my trip to Memphis. Al Green didn't perform for the first half, but be sure to stick it out. He only started singing once most of the Elvis tourists got in their snapshots and their gawks. In all they were extremely welcoming and even more beautiful.

I have to mention that I feel odd reviewing a church, but I am doing so because Al Green is a beam of uplifting light in an area dominated by fire and brimstone intolerance. The highway billboards in the area caution warn against sin on one side and promote adult entertainment on the other, so we were a little reticent. I didn't want to hear gay bashing or see snake handling. On the contrary, the Right Reverend Green and his large congregation were welcoming to all comers (many tourists attend for the music - in fact, the Sunday we went tourists from Italy, Britain, and Poland were in attendance, as well as a busload of kids from Kansas). Rev. Green does not preach from a pre-written sermon. Instead, he feels the word of God in his heart and shares the message in words that sound almost like song lyrics and simplifies and clarifies Bible passages in terms of his own experience. South Memphis, and the South in general, is a richer place because of Rev. Green's work. When the choir gets going alongside the band, spiritual magic happens. No one leaves without heartfelt joy.

We went to the church for the Easter Sunday service, many years ago, and it was lovely. The parishioners were as sweet-hearted as the pastor. Al Green was a sweet guy who took the time to chat with us on a busy day. I'd go there again.

What an amazing experience!!! We felt right at home. Rev Al Green makes everyone feel welcome, even with many tourists there - and their ritual really is a special ceremony. We felt lucky to be in Memphis on a day that he was there. Don't forget to donate!

wanted to see this man all my life saw him in his highest capacity the lord works in mysterious ways

Wow, thats all i can say about the reviews i've heard! 1st of all i want to thank God for the Rev. (Al Green) he has been a great blessing to me and my family in so many ways.Because ,when i was just a little boy, aroud 4or 5, my mother in still his music in to my spirit. As i matured into manhood i continued to embrace the soulful sound that his music ministered,and i began to understand what the songs were really about. BELL,which was 1 of my favorite songs really became apart of my life,because i knew exactly where he was coming from. Knowing that Jesus Christ was the most important factor in his life,and not her,Amen. Not to mention, as i listen to the Rev.Al Green, sing, i began to sing and mimac him. I became very good at it too. Him, the legendary Otis Redding, and a few others were really my vocal coaches. lol, thats funny huh? iIn fact I became so good that i was recommended by gospels very on( Dorinda Clark Cole, of the Clark sisters) to submitt my new hit gospel single(SUNSHINE IN THE MORNING) to the REv. Al Green, to see if he would be interested in doing the song himself ! WOW!!! that what i said too. But anyway's thanks again Rev. and may GOD continue to strenghten and preserve you. for more info. www. Latrelmaloy.com