Building Stories

Stories:

The building of the Tab followed much prayer and was a continuation of the work of W.P Lockhart and friends that began in Liverpool in the early 1860s. Lockhart had visited and preached at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, which was led by Rev Charles Spurgeon. Whether he was influenced by the design, or whether this was just the fashion and architectural necessity of the day (a wide sanctuary, deep balcony supported on columns, impressive pulpit highlighting the centrality of the teaching of God’s word), it’s clear there were physical similarities between the Metropolitan Tabernacle and Toxteth Tab. 

Originally able to seat 1,500 (and sometimes more!) the Tab building, as the home of a living and changing community of believers has been adapted for use over the years. Gas lighting was replaced by electric in 1921, pews were replaced by reclaimed cinema seats at the end of the second world war, and then replaced again, downstairs, in the 1990s, with moveable chairs to allow a more versatile use of the space. A piano was gifted to the church and later an organ installed in memory of those who had lost their lives in World War 2. More recently a PA system, projectors, a screen and a number of computers occupy the Sanctuary enabling pictures of the sanctuary to be beamed around the world! The basement and the various meeting rooms have been redeveloped and reused any number of different ways. 

At times the building has felt awkward and unhelpful, rarely easy to access, heat or repair. And yet the building stories you read here point to how God has used the mundane aspects of the building - redecorating and repurposing, to bring about His purposes. Work parties have shared fellowship as they’re brought life back to the building, much joy and vision has been realised in the most humble of jobs - cleaning the ditches, and God’s amazing provision has been seen in the arrival of funding at just the right time, so that workers can be paid and new projects can be realised.