Before there was a church, there was a large tent placed on Joshua FLOREA's land and people from all around would attend revival meetings and church services. It was told that hymn singing from those meetings could be heard from as far away as a mile. Joshua FLOREA* donated this land and a church was built, named Tent Chapel in honor of the congregation's humble beginning. Organized in 1893, Joshua was a charter member. His son, J. N. FLOREA was the last living charter member still alive in the 1960's.

In 1962 the congregation gave the Tent Chapel Church a face-lift and added a basement and an addition on the south side of the building. Other remodeling projects at this time included a new ceiling, restroom facilities, a baptistry and new paneling. Upon completion of the project, Reverent W. W. ADAMSON spoke at the dedication services on Sunday, April 4, 1963.

Tent Chapel Church of Christ assists in the sponsorship of the television program "In Search of the Lord's Way" that airs at 8 a.m. on Sunday mornings, FOX Channel, Des Moines. The program is hosted by Mack LYON.

Reverend Burlin GRAY was the paster of the church, Summer of 2008.

Tent Chapel Church of Christ is located three miles south of Blockton on Highway 25.

* Joshua FLOREA was born in 1844, and died in 1926 with interment at Tent Chapel Cemetery.

SOURCE:
Mount Ayr Record-News, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. December 1, 2005.

AVITT, Mike. Pages and Pictures from the Past . . . Ringgold County, Iowa: 1885-2005 p. 56. Paragon Publications, Inc. Mount Ayr, Iowa. 2009.