Metropolitan Tabernacle
Encyclopedia
The Metropolitan Tabernacle is a large Reformed Baptist
church in the Elephant and Castle
in London
. It was the largest non-conformist church edifice of its day in 1861. The Tabernacle Fellowship have been worshipping together since 1650, soon after the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers. Its first pastor was William Rider, and many notable others have filled the position since, including Benjamin Keach
, Dr. John Gill
, Dr. John Rippon
, and C. H. Spurgeon
. The Tabernacle still worships and holds to its historical principles under its present pastor, Dr. Peter Masters.
organisations from meeting together. This congregation braved persecution until 1688, when the Baptists were once again allowed to worship in freedom. At this point, the group built their first chapel, in the Tower Bridge
area.
In 1720, Dr. John Gill
became pastor and served for 51 years. In 1771, Dr. John Rippon
became pastor and served for 63 years. During these times, the church experienced great growth and became one of the largest congregations in the country. Afterwards decline set in and by 1850 the congregation was small.
In 1854, the most famous of all the pastors at the Metropolitan Tabernacle started serving at the youthful age of 20. His name was Charles Haddon Spurgeon, and he quickly became the most popular British preacher of his day. The church at the beginning of Spurgeon's pastorate was situated at New Park Street Chapel
, but this soon became so full that services had to be held in hired halls such as the Surrey Gardens Music Hall
.
During Spurgeon's ministry, it was decided that the church should move permanently to larger premises. The location chosen was the Elephant and Castle
, a prominent location near the River Thames
in South London
, partly because it was thought to be the site of the burning of the Southwark Martyrs
. The building, designed by William Wilmer Pocock
, was finished in 1861 and dedicated on March 18. Spurgeon also founded a college for preachers (now Spurgeon's College
) and church workers and orphanages for girls and boys, and wrote many Christian books which are still in print today.
In 1887, the church left the Baptist Union
because of the widening influence of theological liberalism
within the Union. Spurgeon was adamant that the church would not "down-grade" the faith as many other churches were doing. (See also the "Downgrade Controversy" section in the article on Charles Haddon Spurgeon.)
At the end of 1891, membership was given as 5,311 (Tabernacle capacity: 6,000 people, with 5,500 seated, 500 standing room; Tabernacle dimensions: 146' long, 81' wide, 68' high). Spurgeon died in 1892.
The original building was burned down in 1898, leaving just the front portico and basement intact, before the rebuilt church was destroyed again in 1941 during the German bombing of London in World War II
. Once again, the portico and basement survived and in 1957, the Tabernacle was rebuilt to a new but much smaller design accommodating surviving original features.
The church numbers were considerably reduced following the wars, as many of the old congregation could not return to London. In 1970, Dr. Peter Masters became the pastor of the small congregation, and the church started to grow again. It is now able to support an annual School of Theology
and part-time Seminary
for pastors.
, Bible Class and a Doctrine Class on Sunday afternoons.
During the week, a prayer meeting is held on Monday evenings and a Bible study on Wednesday evenings where God's Word is studied.
Baptist Tabernacle in New Zealand
is modelled on the Metropolitan Tabernacle and was constructed when Thomas Spurgeon (a son of Charles Spurgeon
) was the minister.
The Newcastle Baptist Tabernacle in Australia is also modelled on the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, constructed in 1879 under the guidance of a student of Spurgeon's. The Tabernacle design was also followed for the Burton Street Baptist Tabernacle in Sydney, the Brisbane Baptist Tabernacle (City Church) and the Hobart Baptist Tabernacle in Tasmania.
The Porto Baptist Tabernacle, first Portuguese Baptist church building dating from 1908, was also designed based on the London Tabernacle. Joseph Jones and João Jorge Oliveira were the main persons involved in the project.
The Temple Baptist Church of Powell, TN front design is fashioned like the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Their pastor is Dr. Clarence Sexton who is avid student of Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Reformed Baptist
Reformed Baptists are Baptists that hold to a Calvinist soteriology. They can trace their history through the early modern Particular Baptists of England. The first Reformed Baptist church was formed in the 1630s...
church in the Elephant and Castle
Elephant and Castle
The Elephant and Castle is a major road intersection in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Southwark. It is also used as a name for the surrounding area....
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It was the largest non-conformist church edifice of its day in 1861. The Tabernacle Fellowship have been worshipping together since 1650, soon after the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers. Its first pastor was William Rider, and many notable others have filled the position since, including Benjamin Keach
Benjamin Keach
Benjamin Keach was a Particular Baptist preacher in London whose name was given to Keach's Catechism.-Biography:...
, Dr. John Gill
John Gill (theologian)
John Gill was an English Baptist pastor, biblical scholar, and theologian who held to a firm Calvinistic soteriology. Born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, he attended Kettering Grammar School where he mastered the Latin classics and learned Greek by age 11...
, Dr. John Rippon
John Rippon
John Rippon was an English Baptist minister and in 1787 published an important hymnal, A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, Intended to Be an Appendix to Dr. Watts’ Psalms and Hymns, commonly known as Rippon's Selection, which was very successful, and was reprinted 27 times in over 200,000...
, and C. H. Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a large British Particular Baptist preacher who remains highly influential among Christians of different denominations, among whom he is still known as the "Prince of Preachers"...
. The Tabernacle still worships and holds to its historical principles under its present pastor, Dr. Peter Masters.
History
The Tabernacle fellowship dates back to 1650, when the English Parliament banned independent ChristianChristian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
organisations from meeting together. This congregation braved persecution until 1688, when the Baptists were once again allowed to worship in freedom. At this point, the group built their first chapel, in the Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name...
area.
In 1720, Dr. John Gill
John Gill (theologian)
John Gill was an English Baptist pastor, biblical scholar, and theologian who held to a firm Calvinistic soteriology. Born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, he attended Kettering Grammar School where he mastered the Latin classics and learned Greek by age 11...
became pastor and served for 51 years. In 1771, Dr. John Rippon
John Rippon
John Rippon was an English Baptist minister and in 1787 published an important hymnal, A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, Intended to Be an Appendix to Dr. Watts’ Psalms and Hymns, commonly known as Rippon's Selection, which was very successful, and was reprinted 27 times in over 200,000...
became pastor and served for 63 years. During these times, the church experienced great growth and became one of the largest congregations in the country. Afterwards decline set in and by 1850 the congregation was small.
In 1854, the most famous of all the pastors at the Metropolitan Tabernacle started serving at the youthful age of 20. His name was Charles Haddon Spurgeon, and he quickly became the most popular British preacher of his day. The church at the beginning of Spurgeon's pastorate was situated at New Park Street Chapel
New Park Street Chapel
The New Park Street Chapel was a Reformed Baptist church in Southwark in London built in 1833. The fellowship began worshipping together in 1650. Its first pastor was William Rider, and many notable others have filled the position since, including Benjamin Keach, Dr. John Gill, Dr. John Rippon, and...
, but this soon became so full that services had to be held in hired halls such as the Surrey Gardens Music Hall
Royal Surrey Gardens
Royal Surrey Gardens were pleasure gardens in Kennington, London in the Victorian period, slightly east of The Oval. The gardens occupied about to the east side of Kennington Road, including a lake of about . It was the site of Surrey Zoological Gardens and Surrey Music Hall.The gardens were the...
.
During Spurgeon's ministry, it was decided that the church should move permanently to larger premises. The location chosen was the Elephant and Castle
Elephant and Castle
The Elephant and Castle is a major road intersection in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Southwark. It is also used as a name for the surrounding area....
, a prominent location near the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
in South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
, partly because it was thought to be the site of the burning of the Southwark Martyrs
Marian Persecutions
The Marian Persecutions were carried out against religious reformers, Protestants, and other dissenters for their heretical beliefs during the reign of Mary I of England. The excesses of this period were mythologized in the historical record of Foxe's Book of Martyrs...
. The building, designed by William Wilmer Pocock
William Wilmer Pocock
William Wilmer Pocock was a British architect.- Buildings:Pocock was responsible for the design of, among others:* the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London* the Worshipful Company of Carpenters in the City of London...
, was finished in 1861 and dedicated on March 18. Spurgeon also founded a college for preachers (now Spurgeon's College
Spurgeon's College
Spurgeon's College is a theological institute of higher learning located in South Norwood Hill, London. It was founded by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known as 'the Prince of Preachers' and in his time minister of the largest church in the world, the Metropolitan Tabernacle at Elephant and Castle...
) and church workers and orphanages for girls and boys, and wrote many Christian books which are still in print today.
Baptist Union of Great Britain
The Baptist Union of Great Britain, despite its name, is the association of Baptist churches in England and Wales. -History:...
because of the widening influence of theological liberalism
Liberal Christianity
Liberal Christianity, sometimes called liberal theology, is an umbrella term covering diverse, philosophically and biblically informed religious movements and ideas within Christianity from the late 18th century and onward...
within the Union. Spurgeon was adamant that the church would not "down-grade" the faith as many other churches were doing. (See also the "Downgrade Controversy" section in the article on Charles Haddon Spurgeon.)
At the end of 1891, membership was given as 5,311 (Tabernacle capacity: 6,000 people, with 5,500 seated, 500 standing room; Tabernacle dimensions: 146' long, 81' wide, 68' high). Spurgeon died in 1892.
The original building was burned down in 1898, leaving just the front portico and basement intact, before the rebuilt church was destroyed again in 1941 during the German bombing of London in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Once again, the portico and basement survived and in 1957, the Tabernacle was rebuilt to a new but much smaller design accommodating surviving original features.
The church numbers were considerably reduced following the wars, as many of the old congregation could not return to London. In 1970, Dr. Peter Masters became the pastor of the small congregation, and the church started to grow again. It is now able to support an annual School of Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and part-time Seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
for pastors.
Services and meetings
The church holds two main services on Sundays, one in the morning at 11am, and the other (for persuasive gospel preaching) at 6.30pm. In addition to this, there is a Children's Sunday SchoolSunday school
Sunday school is the generic name for many different types of religious education pursued on Sundays by various denominations.-England:The first Sunday school may have been opened in 1751 in St. Mary's Church, Nottingham. Another early start was made by Hannah Ball, a native of High Wycombe in...
, Bible Class and a Doctrine Class on Sunday afternoons.
During the week, a prayer meeting is held on Monday evenings and a Bible study on Wednesday evenings where God's Word is studied.
Pastors both past & present
- William Rider, c1653–c1665 (12 years)
- Benjamin KeachBenjamin KeachBenjamin Keach was a Particular Baptist preacher in London whose name was given to Keach's Catechism.-Biography:...
, 1668–1704 (36 years) - Benjamin Stinton, 1704–1718 (14 years)
- Dr. John GillJohn Gill (theologian)John Gill was an English Baptist pastor, biblical scholar, and theologian who held to a firm Calvinistic soteriology. Born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, he attended Kettering Grammar School where he mastered the Latin classics and learned Greek by age 11...
, 1720–1771 (51 years) - Dr. John RipponJohn RipponJohn Rippon was an English Baptist minister and in 1787 published an important hymnal, A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, Intended to Be an Appendix to Dr. Watts’ Psalms and Hymns, commonly known as Rippon's Selection, which was very successful, and was reprinted 27 times in over 200,000...
, 1773–1836 (63 years) - Joseph Angus, 1837–1839 (2 years)
- James Smith, 1841–1850 (8 ½ years)
- William Walters, 1851–1853 (2 years)
- Charles SpurgeonCharles SpurgeonCharles Haddon Spurgeon was a large British Particular Baptist preacher who remains highly influential among Christians of different denominations, among whom he is still known as the "Prince of Preachers"...
, 1854–1892 (38 years) - Arthur Tappan PiersonArthur Tappan PiersonArthur Tappan Pierson was an American Presbyterian pastor, early fundamentalist leader, and writer who preached over 13,000 sermons, wrote over fifty books, and gave Bible lectures as part of a transatlantic preaching ministry that made him famous in Scotland and England...
, 1891–1893 (Pulpit Supply Only, not installed as a Pastor - 2 years) - Thomas SpurgeonThomas SpurgeonThomas Spurgeon was a British Reformed Baptist preacher of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, one of two non-identical twin sons of the famous Charles Haddon Spurgeon ....
, 1893–1908 (15 years) - Archibald G. BrownArchibald G. BrownArchibald Geikie Brown was a Baptist minister and a disciple of the noted Victorian era preacher Charles Spurgeon...
, 1908–1911 (3 years) - Dr. Amzi Clarence DixonAmzi DixonAmzi Clarence Dixon was a well-known pastor, Bible expositor and evangelist, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With R.A. Torrey he helped edit the influential journal The Fundamentals which helped give fundamentalist Christianity its name...
, 1911–1919 (8 years) - Harry Tydeman Chilvers, 1919–1935 (15 ½ years)
- Dr. W Graham Scroggie, 1938–1943 (5 years)
- W G Channon, 1944–1949 (5 years)
- Gerald B Griffiths, 1951–1954 (3 years)
- Eric W Hayden, 1956–1962 (6 years)
- Dennis Pascoe, 1963–1969 (6 years)
- Dr. Peter Masters, 1970–present
Other churches based on design
The AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
Baptist Tabernacle in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
is modelled on the Metropolitan Tabernacle and was constructed when Thomas Spurgeon (a son of Charles Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a large British Particular Baptist preacher who remains highly influential among Christians of different denominations, among whom he is still known as the "Prince of Preachers"...
) was the minister.
The Newcastle Baptist Tabernacle in Australia is also modelled on the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, constructed in 1879 under the guidance of a student of Spurgeon's. The Tabernacle design was also followed for the Burton Street Baptist Tabernacle in Sydney, the Brisbane Baptist Tabernacle (City Church) and the Hobart Baptist Tabernacle in Tasmania.
The Porto Baptist Tabernacle, first Portuguese Baptist church building dating from 1908, was also designed based on the London Tabernacle. Joseph Jones and João Jorge Oliveira were the main persons involved in the project.
The Temple Baptist Church of Powell, TN front design is fashioned like the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Their pastor is Dr. Clarence Sexton who is avid student of Charles Haddon Spurgeon.