A Special Dedication

Today marks the end of a long, but exciting 10 months for our Hyde Park Ward here in London.

Hyde Park Chapel Before Renovation

At the beginning of September 2011 we became a congregation without a meeting place.  We were blessed to have access to the Assembly Hall in the Baden-Powell House (Scout Headquarters), just a couple blocks away from our building, where we were able to meet for two hours (versus our normal three hour block).

Baden-Powell House

We attended a shortened Sacrament meeting and then separated for individual classes (Relief Society, Priesthood, Primary, Youth) for the remaining hour.  Sunday School was held once a month on a Sunday evening at members’ homes throughout the ward boundaries.

There were a few Sundays when we didn’t have the Assembly Hall, so we split up in separate conference rooms throughout Baden-Powell House.  We Skyped (audio) the meeting into the rooms and made it work.  With a normal Sunday averaging 350 in attendance, this wasn’t always an easy feat.

It has been neat to find out, during this process, the actual history of our building.  Where the building stands today is where a number of buildings had been bombed out on July 3, 1944, during World War II.

Original Site

In 1955 Clifton G.M. Kerr was set apart as the president of the British Mission.  Pres. David O. McKay told him, “There is a great need in the center of the great city of London for a chapel, a church edifice that will be a credit to the Church, that will accommodate those who are now seeking the truth and about to join the Church, a place of worship that will indeed become an international gathering place for the Lord’s people.”

Pres. Kerr found the site a year later.  He said, “As we stood on the site and looked around, we could see the University of London, four great museums, and Royal Albert Hall were within a two block radius.  Also about one half mile away was Buckingham Palace, the home of the Royal Family.”

The site didn’t seem ideal at first as there were no members of the Church within a 7 mile radius.  What a blessing it is today as there are hundreds of members in that radius.

The Church purchased the property and had a prominent architect, Sir Thomas Bennett draw up the plans for the building.  It was interesting to read that because the plans included a Recreation Hall and Bishop’s Office, the London County Council didn’t give their approval, as the area wasn’t zoned for recreation or business.  When Sir Bennett asked the church leaders about the kinds of activities that would take place here, he said they sounded like ‘cultural activities’.  So, he crossed out Recreation Hall and wrote ‘Cultural Hall’ and then crossed out Bishop’s Office and wrote ‘Bishop’s Study’.  The plans were approved and throughout the Church we still use the term ‘Cultural Hall’.

The Hyde Park Building was first dedicated by President David O. McKay on 26 February 1961.

Original Dedication Program

With this newly remodeled building, we have a new welcoming entrance with a Christus Statue visible from the street.

Hyde Park Chapel After Renovations

As you walk in, full-time missionaries are there to greet you and welcome you to the Visitor’s Centre.

Visitor’s Centre

It is such a blessing that this has happened as all the world’s eyes start to turn to London for the Summer Olympics with so many visitors walking past the building every day.

This weekend has been wonderful.  Yesterday we were able to attend the Open House with a special musical program.

Today we were able to attend the Dedication with Elder Erich W. Kopishchke, our Area President.

Kids at Hyde Park Chapel Dedication

It was a wonderful meeting and it was amazing to hear how the Hyde Park Chapel has ‘become an international gathering place for the Lord’s people,’ just as Pres. David O. McKay had said.  Our stake president, President Phillips, commented that within our stake, we currently have 115 nations represented with 75% of the people being first generation members of the Church.

We are so grateful to be in this wonderful place at this time!