Emmanuel Tabernacle was organized and in operation before Bishop H.T. Gentles came to Barbados in the late 1940s. It was not too long after his arrival in the island that Pastor Hilton Dottin, the then Pastor of the church, was introduced to him.

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After hearing his preaching and seeing the type of person he was, the officers and members applied to the organization for membership.  Securing their release from the Emmanuel Mission with whom they were associated, they became members of the United Holy Church of America.

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In 1955, their first building, located near the site of the current structure, was completely destroyed by Hurricane Janet that struck the island. The members were left with no place to worship. Consequently, services were conducted at Pastor Dottin’s house during the interim, until the land on which the church now stands was purchased.  A new building was erected through the efforts of Bishop Gentles, the members of the congregation, churches in the Barbados District and the General Church.

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When Pastor Dottin died, pastoral duties of the church were assigned to the Reverend  Kenneth Harewood.  He was later succeeded by Pastor Ricardo Alleyne. Following this, the mantle of pastoral leadership fell on Elder Michael Callender.  The next pastor was Elder Trevor Simmons during whose incumbency, the building was renovated and extended to produce the present structure.  Elder Simmons was succeeded by Elder Donald Padmore, the current pastor.