Barclay Hall

Barclay Hall was founded by the Bedford Institute Association, a Quaker philanthropic organisation, in 1900, when an iron building was erected in memory of Joseph and Jane Barclay, of Knotts Green, Leyton, one of several eminent Quaker families in the area. Within a year over 800 people were already connected with various religious, social, and educational activities at the centre, and another building had been added. In 1902 Barclay Hall became a full mission church, in 1904 the Sunday meeting was recognised under the Radcliff and Barking monthly meeting and in 1906 a permanent brick building was opened. The hall was bought by the borough council in 1948, and in 1949 was reopened as an…