Tabernacle Church, Hanley

Congregational Independent Tabernacle Church, Hanley
Founded in 1784
rebuilt 1883 - closed 1964

"The Independent Chapel, in High Street, called the Tabernacle,
was built in 1784, and is under the ministry of the Rev John Edwards."
History, Gazetteer and Directory of Staffordshire, William White, Sheffield, 1851

Reverend Joseph Fletcher, Independent Minister [Married Mary Ann Hudson (b.1815. m.1845 d. c.1895) in Mares Green Chapel, West Bromwich 7 November 1845] his address at time of marriage given as - High Street Hanley.

Rev. Fletcher worked in Hanley with the Congregational Church for 10 years and left in 1849.

His first marriage in Hanley ended in the first year with the death of his wife He remarried Mary Ann Hudson in 1845

They moved to Christchurch Hampshire where he was a respected Independent Minister until his death in 1876.

Congregational Independent Tabernacle Church, Hanley
built 1883 - closed 1964
(now demolished)

High Street, Hanley
photo - c.1893

"The Congregationalists possess one of the finest groups of buildings in the town, known as the Tabernacle Church, to which are attached a lecture hall, schools, vestries, and class rooms. The buildings, which are situated in High Street, are in the perpendicular style of architecture, erected with red brick and stone. In the centre rises an embattled tower, with octagonal stair turret and pyramidal spire, attaining a total height of 100 feet. The lecture hall, which is a very spacious apartment, has a richly traceried window of seven lights. Below the chapel is a large hall, around which are placed the various school and class rooms, and a library."

A descriptive account of The Potteries (illustrated), 1893 advertising and trade journal.

The Tabernacle (Congregational)
Hanley
This postcard shows the very old cottages
to the left of the Church

Postcard c.1905 - to the right of the picture can be seen the coal mine spoil heaps

Erected in a "perpendicular style of architecture, ....with red brick and stone. In the centre rises an embattled tower, with octagonal stair turret and pyramidal spire, attaining a total height of 100 feet"

The original registers are deposited at the Public Record Office (PRO)
Tabernacle Chapel, High Street, Hanley, Independent, Births & Baptisms 1786-1837 (PRO)