Tabernacle. In a Catholic church, the place where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved between Masses. It is usually a free-standing cupboard, but may be built into the back of an altar. A fine 19th century example is at Ipswich St Pancras. Where the sacrament is reserved in an Anglican church, it is usually in an aumbry. Anglo-catholic churches with tabernacles include Kettlebaston and Ipswich St Bartholomew; but, of course, neither of these are medieval. In medieval days, the sacrament was usually reserved in a pyx.

Tabernacle work is something quite different. This means the decorating of a reredos, font cover, porch, etc, with canopied niches containing figures. The best tabernacle work in England is on the font cover at Ufford.