Woodford NT Outing to Central Hall Westminster

Meet at 13:30 outside Central Hall Westminster

Central Hall Westminster (CHW) is the imposing domed building opposite Westminster Abbey. It was built 1905-1911 with funds of 1,024,501 guineas raised from donations from Methodist Church members.

The building is not only the focus of international Methodism, but has 22 rooms for conferences and events of all sizes up to the 2,300-seat Great Hall. Its history is varied, having been the venue for meetings by the Suffragette movement (1914), the inaugural meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (1946), the infamous unacceptable face of capitalism AGM of Tiny Rowlands Lonrho Company through to its more familiar use today as the annual BBC New Years Eve broadcast venue. Such are the stunning views of Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster, and Westminster Abbey from its upper floors, that its frequently used for news broadcasts.

First and foremost it is a very active and lively church. The Superintendent Minister was formally the Minister of Loughton Methodist Church, Rev. Tony Miles. Some of you might remember him and his family. Our tour will be led by Paul Moynihan, Archivist and Visitor Services Manager, who will lead us through the grand entrance and staircase where there is a life-size statue of John Wesley, and through the maze of corridors and rooms to the magnificent Great Hall, with what is reputed to be the second largest domed ceiling of its type in the world. There is a very large raiseable dais, choir stalls and organ. This is an accessible building.

The organ at CHW is one of the largest and best in London. Completely refurbished in 2012, it is used for services and recitals by the finest organists from around the world. For those wishing to stay, our tour will end at 3 p.m. in time for the free one-hour public organ recital.