Cambridge Community Outreach Tabernacle
190 Harvard Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Building on a Legacy: Cambridge Community Outreach Tabernacle and the Enduring Mission of Black Churches in Cambridge
For well over a century, Black churches in Cambridge have served as places of worship as well as centers of community, resilience, and empowerment. From the historic congregations that took root in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these churches have continually provided spiritual nourishment, uplifted their members, and addressed pressing social needs. The Cambridge Community Outreach Tabernacle (CCOT), founded in the early 1980s, stands firmly in this tradition, carrying forward the mission of faith-driven service into the new millennium.
The story of CCOT echoes the journey of earlier Black churches in Cambridge—born from small gatherings of believers, often meeting in homes or temporary spaces, before growing into established institutions with a far-reaching impact. In 1981, Reverend Nerissa Wyzzard began with a simple act: bringing together family and neighbors to share in faith and fellowship. This was a continuation of a long-standing practice in the Black church tradition—creating spaces of worship that also served as foundations for education, social activism, and mutual aid.
By the time CCOT secured a permanent home at 190 Harvard Street in 1990, it had already become a beacon of faith and community service. This journey mirrors the paths of some of Cambridge’s oldest Black congregations, which often moved through temporary locations—church basements, community centers, and storefronts—before finding a place to firmly establish themselves. Yet CCOT’s mission was never just about securing a physical building; it was about creating a spiritual home where people could grow in faith and serve others.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, CCOT expanded its outreach, launching initiatives that reflected the broader role of the Black church in civic life—providing education, leadership training, and social support. Its work in establishing New Life Ministries in Nantucket, launching Cambridge Shines, and supporting global missions in Uganda highlights a long-standing commitment to both local and international service. Much like earlier Black churches that were deeply involved in abolitionism, civil rights, and social justice, CCOT has continued to be a force for change, helping individuals recognize their potential and serve their communities.
The church’s evolution under the leadership of Bishop Wyzzard, including the formation of the CCOT International Pastoral Alliance, further reinforces the idea that Black churches are not just institutions—they are movements.
In times of crisis, from the Great Migration to the civil rights movement and beyond, Black churches in Cambridge have been places of refuge and renewal. CCOT’s Paper Bag Ministry for the homeless, launched in 2020, reflects this enduring role, showing that even in the face of modern challenges, the church remains a source of compassion and action.
As we honor the legacy of Black churches in Cambridge, CCOT’s story reminds us that the work of the church is never finished—it adapts, grows, and carries forward its mission, ensuring that faith remains a transformative force in Cambridge for generations to come.
Sources:
1. Courtesy Cambridge Community Outreach Tabernacle, Cambridge Community Outreach Tabernacle, Inc., 2025.
Some images from Cambridge Community Outreach Tabernacle:
