About the Church
Tabernacle Cardiff is an independent, evangelical and reformed church in Cardiff
Gospel Beliefs, Form of Worship & Confession of Faith
The form of worship aims to give reverence to God, whilst at the same time giving expression to profound Christian joy. The preaching is centred around Christ, and in particular His saving death on the cross, where the thrust of the message is forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ. The church Confession of Faith is based on the 1823 Confession of Faith of the Calvinistic Methodists. An additional clause has been added to include believers baptism.
To Know Him and to Serve Him
We set much store in waiting upon the Lord for a gracious Divine Visitation, and at the same time working with zeal for the Gospel. We see this balance in the lives of Rowlands, Harris, Williams, Whitefield, and many others of those days, who experienced great things of God, and at the same, time toiled strenuously for the Gospel. May the Lord give us something of their blessing and their zeal for Christ.
Bible Version & Hymn Books
Tabernacle Cardiff uses the Authorised Version (King James Version) of the Bible and sings from the Christian Worship hymnbook. The church had previously used the Christian Hymns hymnbook before purchasing copies of the Christian Worship hymnbook.
A warm welcome…
to any and all of our meetings, and especially to our gospel services on Sunday morning.
Visit the church
Our History
2003
Tabernacle Cardiff began in September 2003, renting Heath Park Citizens Hall for Sunday and midweek meetings.
2005
The Christian Worship Trust was established, publishing a new hymnbook which was delivered in 2009. Pastors Dewi and Vernon Higham were founding trustees.
2006
In 2006 the WVHigham Trust was set up to archive, preserve and curate sermons, videos, writings, hymns and tracts. We hired the Heath Citizens Hall to audit and index the recordings, which now forms the archive available through WVHigham.org.
2007
We rented an office at The Philog to carry out the administration of the church and archival work for WVHigham Trust. See the fruit of this at WVHigham.org.
2009
Having providentially purchased the former United Reformed church and hall on Pen-y-Wain Road, our first service there was held on 18th January 2009.
2010
The annual Summer Conference, previously held in Pembroke, re-located to the new Cardiff premises.
2011
Capel y Rhath, a Welsh language church held its first service using the chapel on 5th June 2011.
2012
First Christian Worship Camp launched in Chepstow.
2013
YouTube live broadcasts begin at www.youtube.com/@TabernacleCardiff
2015
Historical trip to ‘More than Notion’ country, stirring our hearts in the grace of God as it so emphasised in Alexander’s must read classic work.
2016
Pastor Emeritus W. Vernon Higham passed into the joy of his Lord 14th September 2016.
2017
Adaptations, supported by generous gifts, were made to the church hall in 2016 to enable its use by young people’s camps, retreats and conference accommodation with the first one in the summer of 2017.
2018
Salisbury Reformed Seminary is formed and with the agreement of Emmanuel Church in Salisbury takes up residence in Grove House. Our pastor is one of the trustees. See www.salisburyseminary.org/.
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to adapt all our services to an online format, including Sunday School which continued for 100 episodes – see the playlist on YouTube.
2022
Mrs Morwen Higham passed into the glory 2 Jan 2022. Pictured standing, as one of the Calvinistic Methodist Presbyterian Church of Wales’ ‘Sisters of the People’, a renowned speaker in her own right, devoted to the ministry, esteemed beyond words. Video tribute by Pastor Bob Dickie here.
2023
“Man with a Mission” published. A memoir of WV Higham by John Peters, published by the WV Higham Trust, is available from the Church. If you would like a copy, please contact us. ‘This biographical sketch is intended to stir the hearts of those who read it’ Pastor Robert Dickie.
Formation & Pastors
Tabernacle Cardiff is an independent church formed in 2003. Services were established in a rented hall (Heath Citizens Hall) during September 2003. The church worshipped at the hall from 2003 to 2009. Through the Lord’s grace and providence the church acquired property in January 2009. The church now worships at Pen-y-wain Road.
Dewi Higham was invited to be pastor of the church in September 2003. Vernon Higham was the pastor emeritus from the formation of the church in 2003 until passing into the glory in 2016.
Pastor Dewi Higham 1993 – 1998: Dewi Higham was pastor of a Welsh language church at Tregaron, West Wales – Eglwys Efengylaidd Caron. He also ministered during this period at Rhos Llangeler. 1998 – 2003: Five Years as an assistant pastor at Heath Church (Cardiff). 2003 – date: Pastor at Tabernacle Cardiff.
Our organisations
WVHigham
The Trust was formed in 2006 with the aim of recording and making available the archive of the ministry of Vernon Higham.
Christian Worship
Publishes our hymnbook, runs youth camps and the annual Birmingham Conference.
Salisbury Reformed Seminary
Salisbury Reformed Seminary aims to provide a Biblical theological and pastoral training to the Christian Ministry.
Church Support Fellowship
The Church Support Fellowship is a group of experienced ministers sharing a deep concern for the spiritual state of reformed churches in the UK.
Pastor & Church Officers
Dewi Higham
Pastor
Richard Dickinson
Church Officer
Alun Higham
Church Officer
Michael Johnson
Church Officer
Peter Millier
Church Officer
Vernon Higham – Pastor Emeritus 2003-2016
Pastor Vernon Higham 1955 – 1958: Vernon Higham’s first pastorate was at a Welsh language church at Pontardulais, near Swansea and Bethlehem, Penyrheol. 1958 – 1962: He ministered for four years in another Welsh language church at Llanddewi-brefi, West Wales. 1962 – 2002: He was called to Heath Church (Cardiff) in 1962, where he ministered for forty years. 2003 – 2016: Pastor Emeritus at Tabernacle Cardiff.