Central Hall Westminster

This Edwardian neo-baroque building was opened in 1912 as a monument to mark the centenary of John Wesley's death, with funds drawn from the Wesleyan Methodist Twentieth Century Fund, also known as the 'Million Guinea Fund'. The design was chosen from 132 entries in an anonymous architectural competition, the rules of which stated that the design had to be non-Gothic and in accordance with the general philosophy of the Methodist movement that its buildings should not resemble churches. With no overtly religious symbolism, the winning design, submitted by Lancaster and Rickards, is in keeping with these ideas. Methodist Central Hall was the venue for the inaugural General Assembly of the United Nations in 1946. Today it hosts regular worship and other events, and takes part in the annual Open House London weekend, held in September.