CENTRAL HALL

The building that is now Central Hall was conceived as a 'monumental Memorial Hall' that would not only house a worshipping congregation but would also be a meeting place for people, regardless of religious persuasion. It was also to be of 'great service for conferences on religious, educational, scientific, philanthropic and social questions'.

It opened in 1912 and was the venue for Suffragettes, campaigning for the vote for women in 1914; Mahatma Gandhi gave an address there in 1931 and the Peace Pledge Union and Vera Brittain held meetings there.

Perhaps most significantly, Central Hall was the chosen as the venue for the inaugural General Assembly of the United Nations in 1946. 51 member countries sent delegations and Prime Minister Clement Attlee welcomed the UN to 'this ancient home of liberty and order'.