The Church Index / A Book of Metropolitan Churches and Church Enterprise: Part I. Kensington

by William Pepperell

THE FREE TABERNACLE, NOTTING HILL.

The name of the “Free Tabernacle” and Mr. Varley are indissolubly united in Notting-hill. The Tabernacle is a very plain brick structure, in Norland-square, or rather in St. John’s-place, leading out of the square. It admits of no architectural description; but on entering one is impressed with the idea that it has been built with an object. It has the appearance of a large hall, with a platform pulpit at one end, and a choir gallery behind it. There is no other gallery at present; but the ground floor is thoroughly pewed, and the whole is capable of accommodating 1,000 persons, and, if necessary, 1,200 could find a place. The original cost of the building was 2,200l., the responsibility of which was entirely borne by the present minister and his father-in-law, Mr. Pickworth, who undertook the work solely in the interests of the spiritually destitute poor of the neighbourhood. Mr. Varley, who was at the time and has ever since been engaged in business, first began to preach nine years ago in the Potteries, in the Notting-dale Schoolroom, where he speedily collected a congregation from the poor people of that district, so large and overcrowded that he was compelled to find another place. This led to the building of the Tabernacle, and to one of the most valuable voluntary religious efforts that we have yet had the pleasure of recording. Upon this basis, at the present time, an average congregation of 800 in the morning, and 1,000 in the evening, assemble for public worship. Upon special occasions the number is increased to 1,100 and 1,200, and it is interesting to note the respect and affection with which Mr. Varley is regarded by all this people. He has succeeded in establishing an influence undoubtedly for good over a class not to be founds in many of the congregations we have yet had under review. It is notorious that, as a rule, our poor do not attend our churches and chapels, but the “Tabernacle” supplies an exception to the rule. In this case the minister himself is an active tradesman, and appears to possess that kind of talent which adapts him to the mind and circumstances of the class to whom he ministers. Without even the shadow of lowness or vulgarity Mr. Varley has a certain colloquial style and manner which impart both pleasure and profit to his hearers, while it wins and retains their respect. His preaching is to a large extent expository, as on the morning of Sunday, the 23rd of September, the text (Heb. viii. 6) was illustrated by frequent references to other portions of Scripture. There was a peculiarity which we have not observed so fully carried out anywhere as here, a great proportion of the congregation had their Bibles in their hands, and regularly followed the preacher in his references with manifest interest, very much after the manner of a Bible-class following the teacher. They had evidently been well trained to this, and did it as from established habit. Mr. Varley also expounds in the reading of the lessons, and in so doing on this occasion denounced all assumption of a priesthood by men, and the pretended sacrifice of the Mass, as a sin against God and a complete contravention of the Scriptures. The hymns used are entitled “Hymns of Grace and Glory,” arranged especially for the service of this congregation, and are sung to simple melodies in which all can join. The singing is universal, lively, and devotional, and appears to realise the great object of music in public worship. The harmonium, however, it may be observed, is a little too much heard. It is, perhaps, what some would term noisy, and is too apt to drown instead of assist the congregational voice. The church, which now numbers about 550 members, is Baptist by profession, but what maybe termed an “open” Baptist Church, freely admitting Christian people of all denominations to its communion. Amongst other peculiarities at the Tabernacle there is a communion every Sunday morning after the public service, except on the first Sunday in the month, when it is after the evening service. It is the only case in a Nonconforming place we have yet had to notice in which there is a weekly celebration. Mr. Varley believes this to be the Scriptural order; and from the large number that tarry to that service it would appear that his people are one with him in this belief. The public services are on Sundays at eleven and half-past six; Monday evening prayer-meeting at seven, and on Wednesday evening a sermon at seven. There is a good Sunday-school attached, with about 500 children and a staff of 30 teachers. The church derives all its financial support from voluntary effort. Weekly offerings are taken at the doors, and all the sittings are free. Up to the present time, Mr. Varley’s labour has been gratuitously bestowed. It is with some surprise we learn that he has never yet received any earthly reward or testimonial whatever for his valuable services. We do not know whether it would be approved by Mr. Varley himself, but we would suggest that it is one of the first duties of the church at the Tabernacle to set their minister free from the concerns of worldly business, that he might devote all his time to study and the discharge of his pastoral duties. Having, under God, raised the church, he surely is its natural and fitting pastor; and one cannot but think that his separation to the work would prove a blessing to that people. At present, his Sunday labour is supplemented by that of a missionary (Mr. Ashdown), supported by the congregation, who does much pastoral work through the week, visiting the people and striving to keep alive their interest in public worship. Although the present building is a large place, it is thought not to be adequate in space to the demands; and is, therefore, now about to be closed for some weeks, pending important alterations. After these are effected there will be an area of 74 ft. by 94, and galleries all around, affording accommodation for over 2,000 people; and in addition to this there will be several class-rooms, and one large room for general service, calculated to hold 500 persons. It will easily be conceived that in “Mr. Varley’s Tabernacle” (as it is now commonly called) there must be a centre of powerful influence in dealing with a great mass of people not reached by other agencies, and which circumstances have caused to congregate around it. The exterior will be greatly beautified by the alterations—a view of which, by favour of the architects, Messrs. Habershon and Pite, we are enabled to produce.