The Tab Centre & Shoreditch Tabernacle Baptist Church

The Tab Centre - Community Focused

About The Tab Centre
The Tab Centre was built as a church school in 1890 by the Shoreditch Tabernacle Baptist Church, under the ministry of the Rev'd William Cuff. When completed, men, women and children from the East End filled the halls for school, brigades and public meetings. They were in turn entertained and scandalised by Lady Astor and Fresh Air Committee meetings.

The Tab Centre survived direct hits from incendiary bombs in the Second World War but fell to serious disrepair, and partial disuse, for more than 50 years, until the decision was taken to save the building and let it reflect the local community's changing needs.

The works were completed in July 2005, and The Tab Centre has grown into the arts and community centre for Shoreditch.

The Tab Centre is a registered charity. The Minister is Rev'd Sarah B. Parry, and the manager is Andrew Sanalitro. The Centre is a therapeutic and safe building where people can access many services, develop creative and meaningful life skills, and relax, free from judgement, violence or stress.

For example, our Just Start project offers support and guidance for women prisoners preparing for release. According to Edmond Tullett, Governor HMP/YOI Cookham Wood & East Sutton Park, "This Tab Centre project has helped to lay the foundation stone to women leaving prison, giving support to their children and families as well. This project is much needed and worthwhile, and we hope over the coming years our partnership with the Tab Centre will grow into helping more women sustain living in the outside world."

Click here to read more about our ongoing social projects.