This year, Open House London includes a building I use regularly, and one I had the opportunity to photograph the interior. Westminster Meeting House is a quiet oasis in the centre of London.
While Westminster Meeting House is open to the public during the week when Meetings are held, it is almost hidden along St Martin’s Lane, not far from Trafalgar Square, amongst the café’s, a gym, bookshops and other retailers. Some stumble upon the building while wandering down the street.
Quaker Meetings are also part of the British architectural history. As a non-conformist religious movement in the UK, with its roots dating back about 350 years, Quaker architecture embodies it's simplicity and equality ethos.
Open House London is a way to showcase the Meeting House and the peaceful space it offers within the centre of a bustling cosmopolitan city. It is remarkably quiet and peaceful considering its location.
The main meeting room (shown above) is where the weekly Meetings take place, and the library (shown below) houses the books that can be borrowed as well as a meeting space to have coffee / tea after meetings.
This year, Open House London takes place over the weekend of 17 and 18 September. Access to buildings and spaces involved in the Open house is free. Westminster Meeting House is open both days from 1-5pm; address: 52 St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N.
For more information:
Open House London - www.londonopenhouse.org
Westminster Quakers - www.westminsterquakers.org.uk
Quakers in the UK - www.quaker.org.uk