In 1938, just before World War II, there was a separation of membership at Canaan Baptist Church. Dr. Thomas L. Ballou left Canaan with a group of members and later met to discuss organizing another church. On April 12, 1938, this church was organized and named Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle by Mr. Herman Strong. Pastor Ballou was called as the first pastor of Metropolitan and served from 1938 until his health failed in 1945, and he retired. Pastor Ballou passed away June 17, 1946.

In 1939 Metropolitan purchased its first building, formerly an old pressing shop operated at 3939 Industrial Ave. The mortgage was burned in 1943. Rev. E.J. Timmons, who served as the associate minister in 1945, was elected pastor January 6, 1946. His church motto was "Enter to Worship, Depart to Serve.”

On September 18, 1949, ground was broken for a new church. Metropolitan was incorporated in 1950, and the mortgage was burned February 19, 1956. Pastor Timmons retired from the church in 1956 after becoming ill the year prior. He passed away in 1957. The lower level of the church - the E.J. Timmons Fellowship Hall - was named in his memory.

Rev. Sidney D. Edwards became pastor of Metropolitan in May 1957. The church purchased two houses across the street, and one became the parsonage. In 1964, Rev. A.J. Pointer was invited to serve as administrative assistant. Pastor Edwards offered his resignation February 12, 1967. It was accepted by the church on February 22, 1967.

Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle called Rev. Pointer as pastor April 19, 1967, and he accepted the call May 1, 1967. He came with the desire to make Metropolitan and Flint a better religious community. Throughout his ministry, pastor Pointer held positions in the State and National conventions, served as Moderator of the Great Lakes Baptist District Association, served on the OIC Board, and served as President of the Wolverine State Baptist Convention of Michigan, to name a few. His church motto was "The Church for Everybody Serving the God for Everybody.” Pastor Pointer served until he went on to be with the Lord April 23, 2008. The Family Life Center was renamed the Rev. Dr. A.J. Pointer Family Life Center.

After two years of praying for a pastor who was a man of God, Carlos D. Williams accepted the call as the fifth pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle on the first Sunday in August 2010. This anointed, teaching and preaching leader came in with his heart and soul set on doing God’s work. Pastor Williams reignited a fresh fire in Metropolitan with his vision that updated us to the 21st Century church. His motto was "Moving, Making, Marking and Maturing." Under the visionary ministry of Pastor Williams, several ministries were instituted, including the Annual Ministry Fair, an annual Bible Conference, a Recreation Ministry, Friday night family nights, The Tribal Leaders (Congregational Care), and strong participation in the National Baptist Convention Congress of Christian Education. Pastor Williams submitted his resignation in August 2013, and it was accepted by the church.

Metropolitan was without a shepherd, and church leadership and members sought the Lord’s guidance. After much prayer, dedication, and hard work, Metropolitan’s sixth pastor was called in the form of Rev. Dr. Herbert Miller II from North Carolina. Dr. Miller accepted the call on the last Sunday of August 2015. He came with a passion for the Lord and His people. Pastor Miller’s mission for the church was to nourish the whole person; in body, mind, and spirit. Under his leadership, Metropolitan took on the role of helping and serving the community in the Flint Water Crisis. In March 2020, a global pandemic occurred, and by the grace of God, our church stood strong for 2+ years. During that time, the church followed the vision of Pastor Miller and renovated our sanctuary. These renovations included newer ventilation systems, handicap-accessible rows in the sanctuary, pew upholstery, new carpet, new stage lighting, and a widened and re-designed pulpit area with more space. An A/V booth was also built. On Sunday, January 30, 2022, Dr. Miller preached his final sermon as pastor of Metropolitan. The church accepted his resignation, and he relocated back to his home state of North Carolina.

Metropolitan, once again, went into diligent and immediate prayer, as the pastoral search began. The Lord moved on Metropolitan’s behalf, and on June 21, 2022, the Rev. Stephen Louis Murphy, Sr. of Southfield Michigan was called to become Metropolitan’s seventh - and youngest - pastor. Pastor Murphy began his assignment Sunday, July 3, 2022. Experiencing and envisioning the culture of family within Metropolitan, Pastor Murphy immediately began to organize and restructure ministries to serve families and reach the multigenerational congregants within the church. Metropolitan quickly began to see a significant increase in youth and young adult membership and attendance. Due to this increase, The Loc’d In Young Adult and PrimeTime Ministries were established, along with the Young Adult Choir. The Youth Usher Board expanded, and so did the online attendance/presence for our virtual church via social media. Currently, vision is in progress for a History Hall, a special needs sensory room, and upgrades to our sound system. Pastor Murphy’s motto is, "Metropolitan, We're More Than a Church - We Are Family." In a post pandemic society, Pastor Murphy’s preaching and teaching reaches all generations, to the glory of God, and we are blessed by his spiritual leadership, attentiveness and obedience to the Holy Ghost.

As we celebrate, 88 years of ministry, we cannot wait to see what God has in store for our future!

We are Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle. To God be the glory!