Pastor Clyde and Louise Gilbert

Founders of

Pentecostal Tabernacle Church 57^th Avenue

Pastor and Sister Gilbert were saved in April, 1934, at the Salvation Army in Sacramento.  However, feeling a need for more of God, they started to attend different churches. The Gilberts finally found what they were seeking at a Church of God. While attending this church, they received the Holy Ghost.  Soon after, God called Brother Gilbert to preach. Despite this, they continued to help in the church.   They assisted in the building of a new church on 37^th Avenue. God continued to open doors for Brother Gilbert to accept the call on his life. He and his wife knew some of the ministers in the Pentecostal Church of God and liked their beliefs. Brother Gilbert received his credentials, issued by then General Superintendent Dennis Heard, with the Pentecostal Church of God in 1958. Their first church was in Knights Landing.  After one year, they accepted a position inShingle Springs.  The Gilberts pastored for one year at this church.  They left when God led them to build a church in their neighborhood in South Sacramento. God supplied the means to purchase one acre of land on 57^th Avenue for $2,000.00 which continues to be the home of Pentecostal Tabernacle Church.  However, it takes a lot more than land to build. It takes plans drawn up and passed by the state and county, and permits approved. The Gilberts finally started to build in 1961. While waiting for the building plans to be approved and the completion of the church, the congregation rented a church building until the owner decided to sell the church. They continued to hold church services in a storefront building on Stockton Blvd. Services were moved to the 57^th Avenue property when someone gave the church a tent to hold services in. The only problem was the wind was gusty and a windstorm blew the tent down. The Gilberts had to move the congregation of 35 to 40 people to their home on 52^nd Avenue. Finally, the church was completed. The first service in the new church building was on Easter Sunday, 1963.   What a blessing that was!   The Gilberts pastored at Pentecostal Tabernacle 57^th Avenue Church for 35 years. Pastor Clyde E. Gilbert passed to glory on July 15, 1994.  Sister Gilbert continues to faithfully attend services.  Since then, several pastors have had the privilege of preaching and reaching the South Sacramento neighborhood in the church the Gilberts dedicated to God almost 50 years ago.

Sister Gilbert is 97 years old.  She continues to be a faithful, dedicated Christian.  Sis. Gilbert is the perfect example  of a Godly woman. She is our prayer warrior. Her life is a testimony to what she believes in; living a Holy and sanctified life. Sis Gilbert loves to bake.  We are blessed when she offers to cook dinners for our church functions.   She still plants her own garden and is known to brave  100 degree tempreratures to harvest her crops.  When we call a workday, she is there, ready to work as hard as any of our teens.  In Dec., 2009,  we recarpeted the church.  Sis. Gilbert joined the men working right alongside them. 

As you can see by the above photo, Sis. Gilbert was using a sledgehammer to break up old tile!  When I asked her to stop, she simply replied that this is how she stays so young.   She has  mentioned that she is ready to go home.  However, when this topic comes up, I remind her that we are not ready to let go of her yet.  I know her work for Christ here on earth  is not done.  Sis. Gilbert is truly a blessing and we love her greatly.

Pastor: Steven G. Page