The Metropolitan Tabernacle, Elephant and Castle, London, by William Willmer Pocock (1859-61) (original) (raw)

Sign mentioning C. H. Spurgeon

William Willmer Pocock

1859-61

The Metropolitan Tabernacle

Elephant and Castle, London

Photograph, caption, and commentary by Jacqueline Banerjee

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The church was rebuilt in 1898, after a fire which had spared the original classical portico; an incendiary bomb in May 1941 destroyed this rebuilt portion but again spared the portico (and the original basement). In 1959 the Tabernacle was rebuilt yet again in the area behind the portico, but this time to a new design and with a reduced capacity of 1,750 seats. After a period of decline it has regained some of its immense popularity, and is again operating with a "full church and galleries" ("History of the Tabernacle"). Spurgeon's name is still proudly blazoned on the signs outside.

The church was rebuilt in 1898, after a fire which had spared the original classical portico; an incendiary bomb in May 1941 destroyed this rebuilt portion but again spared the portico (and the original basement). In 1959 the Tabernacle was rebuilt yet again in the area behind the portico, but this time to a new design and with a reduced capacity of 1,750 seats. After a period of decline it has regained some of its immense popularity, and is again operating with a "full church and galleries" ("History of the Tabernacle"). Spurgeon's name is still proudly blazoned on the signs outside.

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Last modified 9 April 2008