Journey through Time in the Tabernacle Garden
The Tabernacle United Reformed Church has a unique and dramatic plot that extends down to The Commons and features medieval stone walls, a cliff, a cave, a 17th century lime kiln and stunning views across The Commons to the South side of Pembroke. This outdoor space is in the process of being regenerated and converted into a heritage garden which will provide a calm and beautiful public space that
Restoring the Tabernacle garden is part of a Pilot Project that has been set up by a collaboration of local organisations including the Tabernacle URC, Pembroke Town Walls Trust and Pembroke 21C. The aim is to transform this once unused space for the people of Pembroke and its visitors. The garden will be a space within the walls to explore and discover, featuring careful heritage planting and interactive displays. It will tell the stories of Pembroke through time, with heritage planting through the ages and an area of peace and reflection. This physical journey will start at the cave and stone age and lead through to the Tudor and Georgian giving people an experience of the activities and environment of Pembroke through the ages.
Tabernacle Garden in Progress
The Garden being prepared for planting.
Funding has been been secured to transform the site. Work investigating and preserving the important archaeology of the site has been carried out and the site has been cleared in preparation for landscaping and planting. Progress is being made towards securing the final funding needed to restore and repair the Medieval stone burgage walls. Completed, it will become an exemplar for the sustainable regeneration of the town walls.
When completed the garden will become another strong asset for the Tabernacle adding to its collection of community based heritage projects. This will come together to establish the Tabernacle, not only as a place of worship, but as another destination for tourists and schools that will help to attract visitors and boost the profile of the town. Local businesses stand to benefit as tourists will be encouraged to visit the east end of Pembroke drawing people from the Castle past our dynamic range of shops and cafes on the main street.
Architects sketch of the climb through time staircase .png
A successful crowdfunding campaign was run in 2016 where the people and business of Pembroke kindly showed their support and donated £5328 to build a staircase and viewing platform that will link the Tabernacle Church with the garden below.
It has been an exciting few years for the Tabernacle and its collaborators. The enthusiasm and breadth of support has been incredible and we thank all of our supporters for their time, energy and donations. The planting and landscaping is due to be completed in the summer of 2017 with work on the medieval stone walls likely to begin shortly after. We are now really looking forward to the opening of the garden.
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History of the Tabernacle URC
This complete history of the Tabernacle URC was written by Jonathan E Harries in 2011. It gives the full story of the church from its origins in the year 1800 to the present day.
Ecology and Wildlife
The Tabernacle’s burgage plot garden has long been unused and church members were keen to create a place of peace and solitude that could be enjoyed by themselves, local people and visitors.
Journey Through Time Garden
The Tabernacle United Reformed Church has a unique and dramatic plot that extends down to The Commons and features medieval stone walls, a cliff, a cave, a 17th century lime kiln and stunning views across The Commons to the South ...
The Restoration of The Tabernacle URC
The Tabernacle buildings have received the urgent repair that they needed securing the future of the building for future generations.
Archaeological History
The Tabernacle Church sits atop Pembroke’s limestone ridge and its burgage plot extends down to The Commons via a steeply sloping site which drops a total of 40 feet. Immediately to the south of the church is a tall ...