The partially fixed seated performance and worship space is the historical centrepiece of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle Church.
The Auditorium can seat up to 650 people on two levels with the upper level seating completely removable to staggered platforms. It is considered to have excellent acoustical characteristics often used for choral and classical music performances.
Designed by a local architect Edmund Bell, the building was directly modelled on the original Metropolitan Tabernacle in London and featured the same columned portico derived from the Pantheon in Rome. The space is roughly a double-cube in proportions, with a 15-metre high ceiling.
This magnificent space has been a popular venue for christian rock and acoustic set performances. It is occupied every week on a Sunday for the church's services consisting of music and spoken word.
The Auditorium also features a "Hand Built" maple rimmed 1978 Yamaha CSII concert-semi grand piano in ebony gloss which is built identical to the Yamaha CFIII full concert grand piano only a little shorter at 8'3" rather than 9'. Featuring one-piece ivory keys and one-piece ebony sharp keys. The grand piano is properly maintained and regularly tuned (4-6 months) in order to preserve it's excellent tonal qualities and aesthetics.
The Auditorium can seat up to 650 people on two levels with the upper level seating completely removable to staggered platforms. It is considered to have excellent acoustical characteristics often used for choral and classical music performances.
Designed by a local architect Edmund Bell, the building was directly modelled on the original Metropolitan Tabernacle in London and featured the same columned portico derived from the Pantheon in Rome. The space is roughly a double-cube in proportions, with a 15-metre high ceiling.
This magnificent space has been a popular venue for christian rock and acoustic set performances. It is occupied every week on a Sunday for the church's services consisting of music and spoken word.
The Auditorium also features a "Hand Built" maple rimmed 1978 Yamaha CSII concert-semi grand piano in ebony gloss which is built identical to the Yamaha CFIII full concert grand piano only a little shorter at 8'3" rather than 9'. Featuring one-piece ivory keys and one-piece ebony sharp keys. The grand piano is properly maintained and regularly tuned (4-6 months) in order to preserve it's excellent tonal qualities and aesthetics.
About the Pipe Organ
An organ was originally situated with the choir behind the clock. There was an old pedal organ until 1896, when the first pipe organ was installed. This was bought from St Sepulchres Anglican church at a cost of 125 pounds. In 1913 the present George Croft pipe organ was installed at a cost of 1100.00 pounds. There are 1200 pipes and three manuals in the instrument. The pipes were placed in the old sound shell which had had a text 'Praise Ye The Lord' painted by Charles Blomfield on the wall. All of this was removed to build a square space to house the organ.