Methodist Central Hall Westminster Archives
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Westminster Methodist Central Hall Archives are located on the Fourth Floor of Westminster Methodist Central Hall, apart from the Wesleyan Methodist Historic Roll which is located in a purpose built bookcase in the Visitors Centre area near the front entrance of the Hall.
The Archives contain records relating to Westminster Methodist Central Hall. They do not include records of the Wesleyan Methodist Church or the Connexional Records of the Methodist Church. Researchers interested in the Wesleyan Methodist records should contact The Wesley and Methodist Studies Centre, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX2 9AT wco.archives@brookes.ac.uk or by telephoning 01865 488319, Researchers interested in the Connexional Records of the Methodist Church should contact The Methodist Archives and Research Centre, John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH. or by telephoning 0161 834 5343/6765.
For general information about Methodist Records, researchers may wish to obtain a copy of “Methodist Records for Family Historians” by Richard Ratcliffe [FFHS Publications 2005] - £2.00 + 50p postage. A companion booklet “The Wesleyan Methodist Historic Roll” by Richard Ratcliffe [FFHS Publications 2005] is also available at the same price. Both booklets can be ordered by post or through the Westminster Methodist Central Hall online bookshop.
The principal records found in the Westminster Methodist Central Hall Archives include:
Wesleyan Methodist Historic Roll - 1899-1904
Deeds and Indentures relating to the site on which the Hall stands dating back to 1677.
Trustees’ Minute Books – 1900-1981
Westminster Circuit Quarterly Meeting Minute Books – 1896-1981
Westminster Circuit Committee Meeting Minute Books – 1912-1982
United Nations Inaugural Session Minute Book - 1946
United Nations 50th Anniversary Arrangements – 1996
Visitors Books – 1909-date
Orders of Service – 1920 – date
Miscellaneous Records – several boxes
Collection of books written by former Ministers especially Rev Dr W E Sangster
Collection of 78rpm records of Central Hall Organ music
Collection of photographs and programmes of significant events held at Central Hall
The Westminster Methodist Central Hall Archives does not hold any Baptismal or Marriage Register apart from those currently in use. Earlier Registers have been deposited in Westminster City Archives, St Ann’s Street, Westminster which is about five minutes walk from Central Hall.
These include:
Horseferry Road Wesleyan Methodist Church
Baptismal Register – 1887-1928
Marriage Register - 1874-1927
Members’ Register - 1863-1922
Westminster Methodist Central Hall
Marriage Registers – 1913-1953
Westminster Methodist Central Hall Baptismal Registers from 1912-1955, 1955 to date and Marriage registers from 1953 to date can be viewed by appointment through the Church Office – 020 7654 3809.
For further information about the Archives click on one of the links below:-
We are grateful to several members of our regular Methodist Central Hall congregation and to readers of this website for donations to the Archives during 2006.
These have included copies of books written by former ministers of Methodist Central Hall, notably W. E. Sangster and Maurice Barnett, Orders of Service from the time of Revs Dinsdale Young, W. E. Sangster, Derrick Greeves and Maurice Barnett, Certificates issued to donors to the Twentieth Century Fund, gramophone records of recitals given by former organists J. A. Meale and W. S. Lloyd Webber, and photographs of events held in the Great Hall.
Donations of Newspaper cuttings of events associated with Methodist Central Hall Westminster have also been received.
The Archivist is always pleased to accept donations of records or memorabilia associated with Westminster Methodist Central Hall. Recent donations have included a collection of sermons of Rev Dinsdale Young from 1936, Orders of Service, Certificates given to donors of the Twentieth Century Fund, newspaper cuttings and programmes of events both religious and secular held in the Great Hall.
Please contact the Archivist in the first instance if you have any historical items linked to Westminster Methodist Central Hall that you may wish to donate to the Archives. He can be contacted at visitorservices@c-h-w.co.uk or by telephoning 020 7654 3825/3826 or by writing to The Archivist, Methodist Central Hall, Storey’s Gate, Westminster, London. SW1H 9NH.
Please note that the Archivist is employed on a part-time basis – two days per week. These may vary from week to week.
Visitor Services – Tel: 020 7654 3826
