{"id":2977,"date":"2021-01-27T11:16:09","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T11:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2977"},"modified":"2025-08-25T15:02:20","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T15:02:20","slug":"best-exmoor-community-project-tin-tabernacle-transformation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk\/blog\/best-exmoor-community-project-tin-tabernacle-transformation\/","title":{"rendered":"Best of Exmoor Community Project | Tin Tabernacle Transformation!"},"content":{"rendered":"

We have some fantastic news that we are proud to report! Our local community project is now well underway. We have had incredible support from huge numbers of our holiday guests, offering donations towards the repainting\/refurbishing the Porlock Weir ‘Tin Tabernacle’, St Nicholas Church.<\/p>\n

Over the past 12 months, slowly but surely, we have been getting closer to our \u00a35000 target. Having now received over \u00a34400 in donations (time of writing on 21st January 2021), we are well on track to achieve our goal and can get going with offering the Tabernacle some TLC.<\/p>\n

This tiny church is in Porlock Weir<\/a>, just up from the harbour. Constructed of corrugated tin, in a raised position approached by slate-surfaced steps, is St. Nicholas\u2019s Church; this is a typical \u201ctin tabernacle\u201d of c. 1880. and little altered. This example has a small, gabled porch, tiny belfry and small-scale pointed arch windows.<\/p>\n

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A bit more about Tin Tabernacles…<\/h4>\n

During the mid-19th century, a groundbreaking architectural development emerged in the form of pre-fabricated churches, commonly known as ‘tin tabernacles,’ ‘iron churches,’ and ‘iron chapels.’ These structures were rapidly assembled and served as temporary places of worship, awaiting the establishment of more permanent and expensive stone or brick edifices.<\/p>\n

These versatile structures found their niche in various locations, including burgeoning industrial areas, mining villages, proximity to railway works, and remote rural and coastal regions like Porlock Weir.<\/p>\n

Presently, only 86 remaining corrugated iron churches can be found across England, with fewer than 20 designated protected buildings. Notably, certain redundant chapels have been relocated to museums, ensuring their preservation for the appreciation of future generations.<\/p>\n

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St Nicholas Today<\/h4>\n

Having many years of coastal weathering and little funds available for maintenance and management, the tabernacle had fallen into disrepair. Looking destined for ruin, this has been such a turnaround; We at The Best of Exmoor couldn’t be prouder of our incredible holiday guests, so many of which voluntarily put forward donations to contribute to the restoration process.<\/p>\n