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Secular Hall
  • The only building in Britain devoted entirely to secularism
  • On the frontage, The Hall has terracotta busts representing Socrates, Voltaire, Thomas Paine, Robert Owen and Jesus
  • In 1884 William Morris gave his famous lecture entitled “Art and Socialism” in The Hall

The world’s oldest secular society

Leicester Secular Society owes its survival to the long tradition of radical thought in Leicester and to the building of the Secular Hall in 1881. This is the only building in Britain that is entirely devoted to secularism. Secularists believe religion should have no privileged role in civil and state activities. It was a very controversial idea in Victorian times.

Libertas Justicia Veritas
Libertas, Justitia, Veritas (Freedom, Truth, Justice) on the front of the Secular Hall

Josiah Gimson and the Leicester Secular Society

Secular meetings were held in Leicester from 1853 when venues willing to host them could be found. It wasn´t until the movement´s founder, George Holyoake, was prevented from giving a lecture in 1873 that Josiah Gimson, a prominent local industrialist, suggested the Secularists built their own hall. Land was purchased and an architect, William Larner Sugden, appointed.

The Hall incorporates terracotta busts representing Socrates, Voltaire, Thomas Paine, Robert Owen and Jesus, sculpted by Ambrose Vago. In 1881 they caused uproar. They were chosen because they were regarded as “world-menders and social reformers”.

The growth of new ideas

In the 1880s the Leicester Secular Society helped promote new ideas by inviting the advanced thinkers of the day to lecture at the Hall, a practice that continues to this day. In 1884 William Morris gave his famous lecture entitled “Art and Socialism” here and George Bernard Shaw also visited.

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Victorian Leicester
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Can be seen from the street

Gallery

Artist's impression of how the Hall would look, 1879 -
Artist's impression of how the Hall would look, 1879
Josiah Gimson, by Stockdale Studio Leicester -
Josiah Gimson, by Stockdale Studio Leicester
Ticket to the famous William Morris lecture of 1884 -
Ticket to the famous William Morris lecture of 1884
The Hall interior c.1900 -
The Hall interior c.1900
Advert for a talk by Mr. G.J. Holyoak, who was imprisoned for blasphemy -
Advert for a talk by Mr. G.J. Holyoak, who was imprisoned for blasphemy
A leaflet to advertise the opening address at the Secular Hall, 1881 -
A leaflet to advertise the opening address at the Secular Hall, 1881
Detail of one of the many stained glass windows -
Detail of one of the many stained glass windows
Libertas, Justitia, Veritas (Freedom, Truth, Justice) on the front of the Secular Hall -
Libertas, Justitia, Veritas (Freedom, Truth, Justice) on the front of the Secular Hall
The Secular Hall in 2018 -
The Secular Hall in 2018

Roman Leicester

(47- 500) A military fort was erected, attracting traders and a growing civilian community to Leicester (known as Ratae Corieltauvorum to the Romans). The town steadily grew throughout the reign of the Romans.

Medieval Leicester

(500 – 1500) The early years of this period was one of unrest with Saxon, Danes and Norman invaders having their influences over the town. Later, of course, came Richard III and the final battle of the Wars of the Roses was fought on Leicester’s doorstep.

Tudor & Stuart Leicester

(1500 – 1700) The wool trade flourished in Leicester with one local, a former mayor named William Wigston, making his fortune. During the English Civil War a bloody battle was fought as the forces of King Charles I laid siege to the town.

Georgian Leicester

(1700 – 1837) The knitting industry had really stared to take hold and Leicester was fast becoming the main centre of hosiery manufacture in Britain. This new prosperity was reflected throughout the town with broader, paved streets lined with elegant brick buildings and genteel residences.

Victorian Leicester

(1837 – 1901) The industrial revolution had a huge effect on Leicester resulting in the population growing from 40,000 to 212,000 during this period. Many of Leicester's most iconic buildings were erected during this time as wealthy Victorians made their mark on the town.

Edwardian Leicester

(1901 – 1910) Electric trams came to the streets of Leicester and increased literacy among the citizens led to many becoming politicised. The famous 1905 ‘March of the Unemployed to London’ left from Leicester market when 30,000 people came to witness the historic event.

Early 20th Century Leicester

(1910 – 1973) The diverse industrial base meant Leicester was able to cope with the economic challenges of the 1920s and 1930s. New light engineering businesses, such as typewriter and scientific instrument making, complemented the more traditional industries of hosiery and footwear manufacturing.

Modern Leicester

(1973 – present day) Industry was still thriving in the city during the 1970s, with the work opportunities attracting many immigrants from all over the world. While industry has declined in recent years, excellent transport links have made Leicester an attractive centre for many businesses. The City now has much to be proud of including its sporting achievements and the richness of its cultural heritage and diversity.

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