Sunday Worship 10am · In Person & Online · 20 S. 8th St., Phoenix602-253-8426Prayer RequestContact

Historic Tanner A.M.E. Church · Since 1886

Yes, We Can!

Arizona’s oldest African American church, in the heart of Phoenix since 1886. Everyone is welcome. Come as you are.

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Sundays 10:00 am · 20 S. 8th St., Phoenix

Food Pantry volunteers
Church School students and teachers
RAYAC young adults
Sarah E. Tanner Women’s Missionary Society
Girl Scouts Troop 436
Men of Tanner
L.I.F.E. Squad youth
Intercessory Prayer Ministry
Usher Board
Married and Couples Ministry
Women of Tanner
Music Ministry choirs
Tanner’s ministers
Young People’s and Children’s Division
Latino Ministry
Lay Organization
Health and Wellness Ministry
Boy Scouts
Vacation Bible School
Adult Church School class
Grief Support Ministry
Sound Room team
Sunday Worship10:00 amIn person and livestreamed
Sunday Church School8:30 am & 10:00 amClasses for every age
Wednesday Bible Study12:00 noon & 6:30 pmWith Pastor Thomas · 12 neighborhood groups
Wednesday Prayer6:00 amMorning prayer with Pastor Thomas
Sunday’s Worship Service

We’ve Come This Far

Psalm 105:5

Rev. Dr. Roger Richardson, Guest Preacher · Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. Church, St. Louis, MO
November 8, 2026

All Sermons Subscribe on YouTube →
Find Your Place This Year

Each of us has something to give.

This year we focus on three pillars. Find where your gifts fit: caring for one another, connecting with our church family and community, and faithful stewardship of all God has placed in our hands.

Rev. Dr. Benjamin N. Thomas Sr., Pastor
From Our Pastor · 2026–2027 Theme

“With faith in Him and a willingness to work together, we can faithfully carry out the mission He has entrusted to Tanner.”

Rev. Dr. Benjamin N. Thomas Sr., Pastor

“Nothing is too hard for you.”Jeremiah 32:17 · NIV

Read the full message →
The Mission Is Possible — Yes, We Can! Care, Connect, Church Stewardship

36 Years of Faithfulness Giving thanks for Pastor and Mrs. Thomas and 36 years of ministry with the Tanner family.

Share a memory →
Our Story

140 years in motion.

From a pioneer-days mission to a Phoenix Historic Landmark, God has kept this church family for 140 years.

  1. Sketch of the Mission Church, Tanner’s first home

    1886: A mission begins

    Charles Ward, N. D. and Laura Valentine, and Sister Bell join Rev. H. H. Hawkins. Courthouse records show the mission owns property.

  2. The congregation in front of Tanner at Second and Jefferson Streets in the 1920s

    1899: A name and a home

    The first church is built at Second and Jefferson and named for Bishop Benjamin T. Tanner.

  3. The new Tanner at Eighth and Jefferson Streets

    1929: The sanctuary rises

    The Gothic Revival sanctuary at Eighth and Jefferson is completed under Rev. A. H. Hamilton.

  4. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Tanner

    1964: Dr. King at Tanner

    Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks at Tanner, a hub of the civil rights movement in Phoenix.

  5. Centennial artwork of the Tanner sanctuary with the dates 1886 to 1986, by Clendolyn Corbin

    1986: 100 Years of Faith

    Tanner reaches its 100th year, celebrated with a centennial in November 1987 under Rev. John L. Shaw.

    Centennial artwork by Clendolyn Corbin

  6. Historic Tanner today

    2010: A Phoenix Historic Landmark

    The first African American church in Phoenix to receive landmark status.

  7. Historic Tanner 140th Church Anniversary, November 8, 2026. Standing on the Promises.

    2026: 140 years. The mission continues.

    Thank you for celebrating our 140th Church Anniversary with us on November 8, 2026. To God be the glory!

    Upcoming events →   Read our story →

What's Happening

There is something for everyone.

Full Calendar
Tanner Food Pantry Ministry flyer: Community Food Distribution, monthly on 2nd Saturdays, 10am to 12 noon, Fellowship Hall. Volunteer and donate. Opens the full-size flyer.
14Nov · Saturday

Tanner Food Pantry

Community Food Distribution, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon in Fellowship Hall, with St. Mary’s Food Bank. Volunteers and donations of canned goods, non-perishable food and funds are welcome.

Volunteer →
Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution flyer: community registration is closed. Distribution Saturday, November 21, 10am to 12 noon, Fellowship Hall, 20 South Eighth Street, Phoenix. Opens the full-size flyer.
21Nov · Saturday

Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution

10:00 am – 12:00 noon in Fellowship Hall, 20 South Eighth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034. Community registration is closed. Thank you! All community turkeys have been reserved. Registered? Please bring your printed confirmation email. Sponsored by the Sarah E. Tanner Women's Missionary Society.

Registration closed
Thanksgiving Day Worship Service, Thursday, November 26, 10 am, on Zoom. Opens the full-size flyer.
26Nov · Thursday

Thanksgiving Day Worship

10:00 am on Zoom. Join Historic Tanner as we give thanks together.

Event details →
Neighborhood Bible Study Groups Fall Series: Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio.
WedWeekly

Neighborhood Bible Study

Our Fall Study: Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio. Choose one of 12 groups.

Find a group →
Stay Connected

Church doesn’t stop on Sunday.

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Connect With Us

602-253-8426

EMAIL

CHURCH: 20 South 8th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034

Administrative Office | BNTSR Office Bldg
700 East Jefferson Street
Suite #300, Phoenix, AZ 85034
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Sunday Service Times

Church School | 8:30am & 10am
Sunday Worship | 10am

All are Welcome! - Come as You Are!
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Members & Resources

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Photography by Rev. Askia Stewart Jr.
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