Introduction Free Guided Tours Dome Tours Gift Shop Details About the Church   VISITOR SERVICES   Methodist Central Hall serves both as a Methodist Church and a Conference Centre in the heart of Westminster.   We welcome visitors daily to view our magnificent Great Hall and absorb some of the history of this spectacular building, constructed approximately 100 years ago.   Methodist Central Hall Westminster was erected to mark the centenary of John Wesley's death (the founder of Methodism, 1703-1791). It took the church seven years of deliberation to decide exactly how to celebrate this mile-stone in Methodism, but in 1898 the 'Wesleyan Methodist Twentieth Century Fund' (or the 'Million Guinea Fund' as it became more commonly known) was finally launched. The aim of this fund was to raise "one million guineas from one million Methodists". Regardless of wealth, all donors were restricted to giving just one guinea, no more and no less. A guinea was one pound and one shilling (£1.05 in (present terms). Although this sounds like a small sum to us today, back in 1898 a guinea was more than the average weekly wage and the donation was a great sacrifice for many people. The fund was open for six years, closing in 1904 with 1,024,501 guineas (£1,075,727). The names of those who donated to the Million Guinea Fund are recorded in the Historic Roll. The 50 leather-bound volumes can be viewed adjacent to our Visitor Services Desk.   After fundraising - and the purchase of a central London site, Methodist Central Hall finally opened in 1912: a gift given by the Methodist people, from across Britain and the World.   Despite its relative youth, Methodist Central Hall has hosted many important events and meetings. The most significant event being the very first General Assembly of the United Nations, in 1946; a time that saw the appointment of the first Secretary General, along with the creation of the Security Council and the International Court of Justice.   Other famous speakers here have been Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill, Dr Boutros Boutros Gali and the Prince of Wales. We often welcome leading politicians and governmental bodies through our doors, and we sponsor the annual Parliamentary Covenant Service where members across all the political parties come together in worship.   Our building has also been used for feature films, such "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" starring Michael Caine, and an episode of the TV series (Poirot), the film 'Calendar Girls' (starring Helen Mirren, Julie Walters) and 'If Only' (Jennifer Love-Hewitt) as well as for promotional material, such as Marks and Spencer's marketing campaign for their Life Assurance Policy.   After Methodist Union in 1932, Methodist Central Hall Westminster continued to serve as the main headquarters of the Methodist Church until 2000, housing such departments as: the Methodist Relief and Development Fund, Interfaith Relations, Racial Justice, International and Environmental Affairs, Home Missions and Prison Chaplaincy.   In November 2003, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Methodist Central Hall to sign the Anglican Methodist Covenant, committing both Churches to work more closely together.   Many revered preachers have ministered at Methodist Central Hall. The most famous of whom is Rev Dr. William Edwin Sangster. Dr Sangster served here between 1939-1955, and during World War II he managed a 4-year air raid shelter in our basement.   The Great Hall, seating 2,350 people, houses a magnificent organ containing 4,731 pipes. There is a long tradition of great music making within Methodist Central Hall. This is continued not only in the Church Services but also with free public organ recitals, which are usually held at 4.15pm on the first Sunday of the summer months (if you are interested in attending one of these please phone Visitor Services in advance to confirm the date).   Our domed ceiling in the Great Hall is reputed to be the second largest of its type in the world. This beautifully decorated, self-supporting Ferro-concrete structure is a fitting crown to a monumental building, intended to be 'an open air meeting place with a roof on'.   Methodist Central Hall Westminster is a remarkable building - everybody is warmly invited to enjoy our hospitality and we hope that your visit to us will be both memorable and inspiring.

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VISITOR SERVICES   Methodist Central Hall serves both as a Methodist Church and a Conference Centre in the heart of Westminster.   We welcome visitors daily to view our magnificent Great Hall and absorb some of the history of this spectacular building, constructed approximately 100 years ago.   Methodist Central Hall Westminster was erected to mark the centenary of John Wesley's death (the founder of Methodism, 1703-1791). It took the church seven years of deliberation to decide exactly how to celebrate this mile-stone in Methodism, but in 1898 the 'Wesleyan Methodist Twentieth Century Fund' (or the 'Million Guinea Fund' as it became more commonly known) was finally launched. The aim of this fund was to raise "one million guineas from one million Methodists". Regardless of wealth, all donors were restricted to giving just one guinea, no more and no less. A guinea was one pound and one shilling (£1.05 in (present terms). Although this sounds like a small sum to us today, back in 1898 a guinea was more than the average weekly wage and the donation was a great sacrifice for many people. The fund was open for six years, closing in 1904 with 1,024,501 guineas (£1,075,727). The names of those who donated to the Million Guinea Fund are recorded in the Historic Roll. The 50 leather-bound volumes can be viewed adjacent to our Visitor Services Desk.   After fundraising - and the purchase of a central London site, Methodist Central Hall finally opened in 1912: a gift given by the Methodist people, from across Britain and the World.   Despite its relative youth, Methodist Central Hall has hosted many important events and meetings. The most significant event being the very first General Assembly of the United Nations, in 1946; a time that saw the appointment of the first Secretary General, along with the creation of the Security Council and the International Court of Justice.   Other famous speakers here have been Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill, Dr Boutros Boutros Gali and the Prince of Wales. We often welcome leading politicians and governmental bodies through our doors, and we sponsor the annual Parliamentary Covenant Service where members across all the political parties come together in worship.   Our building has also been used for feature films, such "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" starring Michael Caine, and an episode of the TV series (Poirot), the film 'Calendar Girls' (starring Helen Mirren, Julie Walters) and 'If Only' (Jennifer Love-Hewitt) as well as for promotional material, such as Marks and Spencer's marketing campaign for their Life Assurance Policy.   After Methodist Union in 1932, Methodist Central Hall Westminster continued to serve as the main headquarters of the Methodist Church until 2000, housing such departments as: the Methodist Relief and Development Fund, Interfaith Relations, Racial Justice, International and Environmental Affairs, Home Missions and Prison Chaplaincy.   In November 2003, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Methodist Central Hall to sign the Anglican Methodist Covenant, committing both Churches to work more closely together.   Many revered preachers have ministered at Methodist Central Hall. The most famous of whom is Rev Dr. William Edwin Sangster. Dr Sangster served here between 1939-1955, and during World War II he managed a 4-year air raid shelter in our basement.   The Great Hall, seating 2,350 people, houses a magnificent organ containing 4,731 pipes. There is a long tradition of great music making within Methodist Central Hall. This is continued not only in the Church Services but also with free public organ recitals, which are usually held at 4.15pm on the first Sunday of the summer months (if you are interested in attending one of these please phone Visitor Services in advance to confirm the date).   Our domed ceiling in the Great Hall is reputed to be the second largest of its type in the world. This beautifully decorated, self-supporting Ferro-concrete structure is a fitting crown to a monumental building, intended to be 'an open air meeting place with a roof on'.   Methodist Central Hall Westminster is a remarkable building - everybody is warmly invited to enjoy our hospitality and we hope that your visit to us will be both memorable and inspiring.     © Central Hall Westminster 2007