Muriel and Doris Lester &
The Heritage of the Kingsley Hall Community Centres
The website of the Kingsley Hall Community Centres Heritage Committee (KHCCHC)
Email : info@muriellester.org Copyright LAPOLLO Systems on behalf of KHCCHC
Every attempt has been made to ensure no materials are used without permission of copyright
owners. If you believe we have breached this please contact us to agree appropriate actions.
“FIRST STEP - 1929 - THE MARQUEE
IN 1929 THE WORK OF KINGSLEY HALL WAS BEGUN BY DORIS AND MURIEL LESTER IN A CARAVAN AND MARQUEE STANDING ON WHAT WAS AN OPEN FIELD”
The staff lived in the caravan and the marquee became “the powerhouse of the community”
“SECOND STEP - 1932 - THE OLD HALL”
THIS “TEMPORARY” BUILDING OF WOOD AND ASBESTOS WAS ERECTED AT A COST OF £800 AND IS STILL IN USE”
It was put opened by the great Christian socialist, George Lansbury.
For more on the use of the building over the years including the visit to KH Dagenham by Gandhi in 1931 click here
“THIRD STEP -1932 - THE NURSERY SCHOOL.
A BUILDING SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO BE THE FIRST NURSERY SCHOOL IN ESSEX.
This ‘Children’s House’, designed by Charles Cowles-Voysey, was opened by Ishbel MacDonald, daughter or Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald to deal with all the children’s work – nursery, Sunday school etc. Today it is still used for children by the KINDER KAPERS pre school group. The building as extended in 2018
For more on this building over the years click here
“THE FOURTH STEP - THE MAIN BUILDING
COMPLETED JUST BEFORE THE OUTBREAK OF WAR, THIS BUILDING EXTENDED THE WORK AND AND WAS A SOURCE OF STRENGTH TO MANY IN THOSE DARK DAYS”
In 2019 it is used for worship on a Sunday and Tea Dances during the week.
For more on the use of the building over the years click here
The development of the facilities at Kingsley Hall Dagenham occurred in 5 phases as recorded on this plaque which is titled:
“KINGSLEY HALL DAGENHAM
COMMUNITY CHURCH AND CENTRE
“CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION”
Development of the site to meet the needs of the local community continues …………………….
Throughout this page links are provided to show some uses of these buildings over the years. This will take you from this website to the personal website of one of the Heritage Members.
“FIFTH STEP - 1963. MAINTAINING ITS BELIEF IN THE CHURCH AS A FAMILY, THIS FIFTH STEP PROVIDES SIDE BY SIDE A DAILY CENTRE FOR OLD PEOPLE AND A HALL FOR THE YOUNG AND ACTIVE AT A COST OF £45,000.”
It is planned that these buildings will undergo major refurbishment during the next few years with a hew building built at the road side which will contain the cafeteria open to the public.
For more on the use of the building over the years click here
Creating “heritage” is an on-going activity. The Lester Sisters expanded the work of Kingsley Hall from Bow to Dagenham in 1929 to meet the needs of the new community of the Becontree Estate. As the community developed, so did the buildings….…..….and as the community develops and its needs change so must the buildings. Consultations with members of the local community highlighted some needs (below left)….….…and plans are in place to develop the site so the rich heritage can continue..….…….……..below right. For more information click here
