West London Methodist Mission
Encyclopedia
The West London Methodist Mission was established in 1887 under the leadership of Hugh Price Hughes
, a leading voice in Methodism and in Non-Conformity, and has a long track record as a Methodist ministry and as a spiritual home for "good works". Its early days are very much associated with its founder, Price Hughes, a strong supporter of the Temperance Movement
. The mission has been instrumental in teaching Methodism, and providing a spiritual and physical base from which such notable Methodists as Lord Soper
worked. At its founding it was associated with suffragettes and suffragists, and gave them encouragement and active assistance.
According to Charity Choice, a directory of UK charities, under the charity title "West London Mission":
Hugh Price Hughes’ colleague, Mark Guy Pearse
, engaged with the artistic and literary scene in the West End. Involved in the Forward Movement and in the raising of funds for the Central Hall, Westminster, The mission's base was finally to be Kingsway Hall
in Holborn. Here the West London Mission entered a second defining phase of its life with the Superintendency of Donald, later Lord, Soper.
Upon Lord Soper’s retirement the Mission moved its base to Hinde Street Methodist Church in Marylebone
, from where it runs a number of specialist Social care ministries. These are in the fields of homelessness and drug and alcohol recovery. It also has a chaplaincy to the University of Westminster
. There are two churches in the West London Mission: Hinde Street and King’s Cross. The latter has a significant Chinese-speaking ministry.
Current headquarters is at the Hinde Street Methodist Church in London W1.
(D 2006) in his book Outcast London.
Hugh Price Hughes
Hugh Price Hughes , was a Welsh Christian theologian in the Methodist tradition. He was the founder of the Methodist Times and the first superintendent of the West London Methodist Mission, a key Methodist organisation today...
, a leading voice in Methodism and in Non-Conformity, and has a long track record as a Methodist ministry and as a spiritual home for "good works". Its early days are very much associated with its founder, Price Hughes, a strong supporter of the Temperance Movement
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
. The mission has been instrumental in teaching Methodism, and providing a spiritual and physical base from which such notable Methodists as Lord Soper
Donald Soper
Donald Oliver Soper, Baron Soper was a prominent Methodist minister, socialist and pacifist.Soper was born at 36 Knoll Road, Wandsworth, London, the first son and first child of the three children of Ernest Frankham Soper , an average adjuster in marine insurance, the son of a tailor, and his...
worked. At its founding it was associated with suffragettes and suffragists, and gave them encouragement and active assistance.
According to Charity Choice, a directory of UK charities, under the charity title "West London Mission":
"For over 100 years the West London Mission of the Methodist Church has been in the forefront of care for some of the London's neediest people. The work now concentrates on the homeless, those with drug and alcohol problems, offenders against the law and counselling. The Mission runs Day Centres and specialist high care residential units. This work relies on voluntary contributions and more information is always available."
Hugh Price Hughes’ colleague, Mark Guy Pearse
Mark Guy Pearse
Mark Guy Pearse was a Cornish Methodist preacher, lecturer and author who, during the last quarter of the 19th century and the first of the 20th, was a household name throughout Britain and beyond...
, engaged with the artistic and literary scene in the West End. Involved in the Forward Movement and in the raising of funds for the Central Hall, Westminster, The mission's base was finally to be Kingsway Hall
Kingsway Hall
The Kingsway Hall, Holborn, London, built in 1912, was the home of the West London Mission of the Methodist Church, and eventually became one of the most important recording venues for classical music and film music...
in Holborn. Here the West London Mission entered a second defining phase of its life with the Superintendency of Donald, later Lord, Soper.
Upon Lord Soper’s retirement the Mission moved its base to Hinde Street Methodist Church in Marylebone
Marylebone
Marylebone is an affluent inner-city area of central London, located within the City of Westminster. It is sometimes written as St. Marylebone or Mary-le-bone....
, from where it runs a number of specialist Social care ministries. These are in the fields of homelessness and drug and alcohol recovery. It also has a chaplaincy to the University of Westminster
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
. There are two churches in the West London Mission: Hinde Street and King’s Cross. The latter has a significant Chinese-speaking ministry.
Historical objectives
Hughes wanted to tackle the poverty in the West End of London and to challenge the rich: both expressions of the Christian Gospel he preached. From its outset, the mission has combined Christian commitment, community, outreach, and social care.Current objectives
The West London Mission has several mission statements attributable to it. A distillation of these is that it works with the socially and economically disadvantaged in West London, concentrating currently on people who are homeless, young, misusing alcohol or drugs and/or in trouble with the law.History
The Mission was the birthplace of many initiatives, including:- Establishment of The Sisters of the People by Katherine Hughes, wife of Hugh Price Hughes, a forerunner of the Wesley Deaconess Order
- Crèches for working girls
- One of Britain’s first Hospices for the dying
- West London Mission Housing Association
- Daycare centres
- Specialist high care residential units
- Helping the homeless
- Helping those with drug or alcohol problems
Current headquarters is at the Hinde Street Methodist Church in London W1.
Superintendents
- Hugh Price HughesHugh Price HughesHugh Price Hughes , was a Welsh Christian theologian in the Methodist tradition. He was the founder of the Methodist Times and the first superintendent of the West London Methodist Mission, a key Methodist organisation today...
(1847–1902), from 1887 to 1902. - Rev Dr Donald SoperDonald SoperDonald Oliver Soper, Baron Soper was a prominent Methodist minister, socialist and pacifist.Soper was born at 36 Knoll Road, Wandsworth, London, the first son and first child of the three children of Ernest Frankham Soper , an average adjuster in marine insurance, the son of a tailor, and his...
(1903–1998), later Lord SoperDonald SoperDonald Oliver Soper, Baron Soper was a prominent Methodist minister, socialist and pacifist.Soper was born at 36 Knoll Road, Wandsworth, London, the first son and first child of the three children of Ernest Frankham Soper , an average adjuster in marine insurance, the son of a tailor, and his...
, from 1936 to 1978.
Other interest
The history of the mission was written by Philip BagwellPhilip Bagwell
Philip Bagwell was a prolific and widely-respected British labour and transport historian.Born in Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight, he grew up in a radical tradition...
(D 2006) in his book Outcast London.
Further reading
- Alan Brooks, West End Methodism: The Story of Hinde Street. London: Northway Publications, 2010.