3-086-163 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Destruction of Spurgeon's Tabernacle: remains of the supper preparations, lecture-hall, 1898. The destruction by fire of the Metropolitan Tabernacle at Newington Butts [in south London]...has removed what was undoubtedly a landmark in the spiritual life of many thousands of that great preacher's followers. Shortly after noon on April 20 a fire was found to have broken out within the building...in less than another two hours only the outer shell of the great building remained...a meeting of the Pastors' College Evangelical Association was being held, with the Rev. Thomas Spurgeon in the chair, when the alarm of fire was given, and in the lecture-room beneath the great chapel the annual supper in connection with this Conference was being prepared. At this supper it is the custom for each guest to make a contribution of money to the funds of the Pastors' College. A photograph here reproduced shows the appearance of the tables, already spread, after the flames had done their relentless work. The Tabernacle, which was the largest chapel in the United Kingdom, cost upwards of £31,000, but so great was the zeal of Mr. Spurgeon's congregation that when it was opened there was no debt upon the building.' From "Illustrated London News", 1898.