Our History

In 1899 Rev. Andrew McKittrick, a young student minister, together with a small group of Christians, started an independent church in Hillsborough. Initially they met in a schoolroom but were soon able to erect a tin hut on Crookes Place as it was then called (now Proctor Place) in which they were able to worship. The fellowship grew rapidly and by 1907 a new church was built on the site of the present building. It was known as Hillsborough Gospel Tabernacle.

In 1926 the church became part of the Congregational Union and changed its name to Hillsborough Tabernacle.  It is known affectionately as "The Tabs".

By the time the Second World War came, the membership was in decline and with only a few shillings in the funds prospects were bleak. On the night of 12th December 1940 Sheffield was blitzed and the Tabernacle premises were totally destroyed.   Only one wall was left standing on which was painted the words ' O Worship The Lord in the beauty of Holiness'.

This seemed like the end but at a church meeting in January 1941, it was decided by a majority of one to continue. Those attending the meeting were equally divided but a young church deacon serving in the armed forces had written a letter to the meeting in favour of the resolution to continue. His vote proved to be the decisive one.

During 1941 the fellowship worshipped in a nearby church hall belonging to St. Polycarps Church of England. Throughout the year members and friends, by their own endeavours and using materials salvaged from the destroyed premises, built a temporary building on the site. Remarkable stories are told of this undertaking and of those who rallied in support. One man unable to undertake manual work spent his time searching through the debris to recover and straighten nails to be used by those doing the building. The temporary building was ready by February 1942 and worship began again during that month. The temporary building was to serve until such times as funds for a new church could be raised. During the months and years ahead, this building known as "The Institute", was to be used for worship, mid week meetings and many other special events.

It was to take 15 years to raise the money to erect the present Church which opened on 7th May 1955.  The Institute remained in place and was used actively until the end of 2004 when it was demolished and the site is now the home of the Hillsborough Area Advice Service.

In the years following the opening of the new building the fellowship flourished but in 1971 the membership was faced with another critical issue. Nationally the Congregationalists and Presbyterians were merging to form the United Reformed Church (URC).  After a series of difficult Church meetings, it was decided not to join URC.  The Tabs became an Unaffiliated Congregational Church before joining the Congregational Federation some years later.

The second half of the 20th Century and the early years of the current one has seen many changes to the Hillsborough District.  In recent years the Church premises have undergone major refurbishment. Throughout all this time The Tabs has remained a worshipping Church in a building much used and enjoyed by the wider community.