Prayer Tabernacle Church — Chicago, IL
Everybody's welcome. No exceptions.
Whether you've been walking with the Lord for decades or you're just starting to ask the big questions — you belong here. Prayer Tabernacle Church is a place where faith is alive, community is real, and the Holy Spirit shows up every single week. Come as you are. Leave transformed.
Coming Events
Join us for these upcoming gatherings and ministries
Where We Come From
Born Out of Obedience
On February 1, 1965, Reverend R.J. Roff answered God's call and showed up — alone, in a basement on South Ellis Avenue, in the dark, in the cold, with temperatures between 6 and 10 degrees below zero. No members. No guarantees. Just faith. That night, fifteen people walked through the door. The Lord had shown up.
Ten years later, on May 1, 1975, what had once been a vision became undeniable reality. The dream God placed in our Pastor's heart was now standing in full view for everyone to see.
'WHAT TO SEE IS WHAT YOU GET' — 'I'M HOLDING ON TO MY FAITH, AND IF YOU HOLD OUT, DELIVERANCE WILL COME.'
Our Leadership
The Shepherds of This House
Pastor James R. Bryson, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Pastor James R. Bryson, Jr. leads Prayer Tabernacle Church with a heart for people and an unshakeable commitment to the Word of God. Called to ministry at an early age, he has dedicated his life to building a church where every soul is welcomed, every burden is lifted in prayer, and every member is equipped to walk boldly in their God-given purpose. Under his leadership, Prayer Tabernacle Church continues to grow as a beacon of hope on Chicago's South Side.
Bishop R.J. Roff
Founder (In Memoriam)
On February 1, 1965, Bishop R.J. Roff answered God's call and stepped into a cold basement on South Ellis Avenue — alone, with no members and no guarantees — and planted the seed that would become Prayer Tabernacle Church. His act of pure obedience set the foundation for a ministry that has touched thousands of lives over six decades. Though Bishop Roff has gone home to be with the Lord, his legacy lives on in every soul this church has ever reached. His words still ring true: 'I'm holding on to my faith, and if you hold out, deliverance will come.'
This Is What Faith Looks Like
Raised hands, open hearts — Sunday worship in full swing
Our choir bringing the house down for the Lord
Praying together, standing together
One family. One faith. One fire.
Preaching the Word with power and conviction
Passing the torch — faith in action
The next generation rising up
Community, connection, and the love of Christ
He is Risen — celebrating together
Moments of grace, captured in time
Lifted in praise — hearts turned toward heaven
Together in faith, together in love
The Spirit moves among us
Embraced in fellowship — love in action
Lifting every voice in praise
One body, many members — family portrait
Side by side at the altar
Standing firm in faith
Proclaiming the Word from the pulpit
Sharing the mic, sharing the message
Preaching with passion and purpose
A voice for the Lord
Gathered in prayer, united in spirit
Dressed in faith — together at the altar
Brothers in Christ, standing strong
Joy in the house of the Lord
Raising the next generation in the Word
Standing in the light of His grace
A voice lifted for the Kingdom
Washed in the water — baptized in faith
Born again — a new creation in Christ
Welcomed into the family of God
Equipping our children — Back to School Supply Drive
Faith in fellowship — gathered in His name
Celebrating together in the house of the Lord
Worship, community, and the love of Christ
United in spirit — one church, one family
Let's Talk About It — real conversations, real growth
Standing together in faith and fellowship
Gathered in His name — community in action
A voice lifted for the Kingdom
Voices raised in praise — worship in the house
Dressed in purpose — a servant of the Lord
The choir in white — lifting every voice
Speaking life — the Word in action
The congregation gathered — one family in Christ
Anointed and appointed — a moment of blessing
Joy in the house — celebrating together in white
Walking in the Spirit — a procession of faith
Preaching with fire — the Word delivered with power
Moved by the Spirit — worship in full expression
Side by side at the pulpit — serving the Lord together
A tender moment — love and community in the sanctuary
Reading from the Word — robed in purple and gold
Walking hand in hand — generations united in faith
Hands raised in praise — the congregation on fire
Sisters in Christ — fellowship and joy after service
A woman of faith rises — the congregation bears witness
Voices lifted in white — the praise team leads the house
Two at the pulpit — speaking the Word together
A joyful servant — seated in the pew, dressed in white
The full house — PTC packed from wall to wall
Brothers in white — standing strong in the sanctuary
A voice for the Lord — delivering the Word with power
Called to the pulpit — speaking with conviction
A warm greeting — love in the house of the Lord
The children lead — the next generation steps forward
Two ministers at the altar — robed in white before the cross
Robed in blue and gold — walking the aisle in full regalia
A packed house — the congregation gathered in worship
Praise in motion — grandmother plays the tambourine, baby rests
Three brothers embrace — love and fellowship in the sanctuary
Front row faith — the congregation seated and attentive
Robed in blue and gold — a woman of God walks the aisle
Everybody's welcome — young and old, seated in the pews
The children perform — youth choir dressed in white
Lifted voice, raised fist — praise breaking through the roof
Leaning into the Word — the pastor preaches with power at the pulpit
Standing room only — the full PTC congregation gathered in worship
Robed in gold — a bishop in full regalia walks the sanctuary
Eyes closed, heart open — a man of God deep in worship
Brothers in the Lord — two men share a joyful moment at the altar
Pastoral Installation of Reverend James R. Bryson, Jr. — New Season, New Vision
Rooted in faith — the PTC family gathered in celebration
A moment of blessing — hands laid, prayers lifted
Dressed in purpose — the congregation stands together
Joy in the house — smiles, fellowship, and the love of Christ
Together in faith — the Prayer Tabernacle family
Celebrating the goodness of God together
Worship, community, and the presence of the Lord
Bound by love — one church, one family
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." — Nelson Mandela
Our Community
This Is What Faith Looks Like
PTC in the Neighborhood
Prayer Tabernacle Church loves our community. Here's a glimpse of us out in the neighborhood — spreading joy, building connections, and being the hands and feet of Christ right where we live.
Most Recent Message
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Sow Into the Kingdom!
Every gift you give fuels the mission — Sunday services, community outreach, and lives changed right here in Chicago. When you give, you're not just donating. You're investing in something eternal.
Let's Connect
Got questions? Want to know more? Ready to take the next step? Reach out — we'd love to hear from you. Your information is completely secure, and we'll be in touch soon.
— Pastor Bryson