Central Hall, Edinburgh

Until today, the grand Methodist Central Hall on Earl Grey Street has failed to capture my attention. Its large red sand stone structure is three storeys high, it has a circular turret in one corner and beautiful stained glass windows. The main hall has an organ and provides seating for up to 750 people. I'd love to go inside and see the architectural details of the interior - you can see photos here.

The building was completed in 1901 and became the home of the Edinburgh Methodist Mission. Central Halls were designed to be used as concert halls, cinemas and community activities as well as for worship. From the start at the Edinburgh Central Hall, weekly activities were provided ‘to attract people into the premises and to improve them spiritually, morally and culturally once they were there’. This philosophy has not changed over the ensuing 110 years. The building was recently sold by The City Of Edinburgh Methodist Church to the Morningside Baptist Church for over £1 million.