St Mary

St Mary's Church Room, affectionately known as The Tin Tabernacle, was originally delivered to Sole Street as a self-build construction via the local railway station. A wooden frame with wooden interior and cladded with corrugated iron, the kit was supplied by Boulton and Paul of Norwich in 1889.

For over 100 years the hall served as a church, Sunday School and meeting place for the residents of Sole Street. This community had developed around the railway station and was about a mile from the historic village of Cobham.

Following a lengthy fund raising campaign, many village events and generous grants from various organisations including The National Churches Trust, the building was completely refurbished in 2024 and early in 2025. However, the restoration was completed in such way that the initial character of the Tin Tabernacle was not lost and the new ecclesiastical style windows add to the charm of the building. 

The old school bell that originally summoned folk to worship or to Sunday School has been refurbished and retained. Inside the two original stained glass windows have been cleaned and repaired and the carpeted area around the altar and slightly raised Sanctuary is used to differentiate between the secular and sacred areas of the hall.

Outside a gentle ramp leads from the pavement level to the main entrance, making wheelchair access possible. There are two raised flower beds and wooden seating on a paved section, this provides a quiet oasis just 400 yards from Sole Street Station.