Haven’t you felt it sometimes? That pull towards a place where history whispers and community thrives? That place is Kingsley Hall Community Centre. Kingsley Hall stands here on Powis Road a testament to enduring spirit.
Kingsley Hall’s story began with Doris and Muriel Lester. These sisters were social pioneers. Their brother Kingsley Lester died in 1914. He left money for local work. It was for educational, social, and recreational purposes. The Lesters used this money. They bought and converted a disused chapel. This was the start of Kingsley Hall.
In 1927, the foundation stone was laid for this very building. The architect was Charles Cowles-Voysey. The ceremony was star-studded. Sir Walford Davies laid the brick of MUSIC. Miss Sybil Thorndike laid the brick of DRAMA. John Galsworthy laid the brick of LITERATURE. These stones represented the diverse aspects of Kingsley Hall. The building opened in 1928.
During the General Strike of 1926, Kingsley Hall became a shelter. It was a soup kitchen for workers. The Hall offered refuge and sustenance during hard times.
But perhaps Kingsley Hall is most famous for one special guest. In 1931, Mahatma Gandhi stayed here. He participated in talks about India’s future. Gandhi chose Kingsley Hall. He preferred staying with the working class rather than in a hotel. He lived in a small cell-bedroom on the roof.
Lylie Valentine worked at the nursery. She remembered Gandhi’s stay. She said all the people in East London waited outside to see him. The children called him Uncle Gandhi. Every morning, he walked along the canal after his prayers. He spoke to workmen. There was something about him that always lives with the people.
Gandhi loved East London. He enjoyed the Cockney wit. He was never at a loss for a reply. After his stay, he wrote in the visitor book Love surrounded me here. A blue plaque on the facade honors Gandhi’s memory.
In 1935, the Jarrow Marchers stayed at Kingsley Hall. Ellen Wilkinson led the march. The poor helped the poor here.
In 1965, R. D. Laing and his colleagues came to Kingsley Hall. They wanted to create an alternative community. It was for people affected by mental health crisis. Kingsley Hall became a place for radical experiments in psychology. The Philadelphia Association sought to create non-restraining therapies. Mary Barnes a resident artist documented her journey through madness here.
The experiment faced hostility from the local community. After five years, the project ended. Kingsley Hall was boarded up.
In the 1980s, Kingsley Hall was used in the film Gandhi. Richard Attenborough and the Kingsley Hall Action Group raised funds for refurbishment. The local community helped bring Kingsley Hall back to life.
Kingsley Hall reopened in 1985. Today, it hosts youth groups, workshops, and community events. It also houses the Gandhi Foundation. It promotes peace internationally. Kingsley Hall continues to serve its community. It stands as a beacon of hope and fellowship.
So, remember Kingsley Hall. Think of the Lesters, Gandhi, and all who found solace and community within these walls. This place is more than just a building. It’s a living testament to the power of people coming together.