The original Church House was commissioned in 1902 and was built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. Her Majesty was gracious enough to grant a Royal Charter, on 23 February 1888, to The Corporation of the Church House, who were the governing body.
In 1931 a decision was taken to demolish the existing building and plans were prepared to erect a new one in its place that would be more in keeping with the needs of the Church at that time. It was considered, however, that it would not be appropriate to proceed because of the world recession and plans were put in abeyance until 1937.
The current building was designed by the renowned architect, Sir Herbert Baker, and the foundation stone was laid by Her Majesty, Queen Mary on 26 June 1937. The completion of the building took until 1940 and was officially opened by His Majesty, King George Vl, on 10 June 1940.
The building suffered a direct hit on the Assembly Hall in November 1940 but due to the exceptional construction of the building only minimal damage was done. The Prime Minister of the day, one Mr. Winston Churchill, was so impressed by this fact that he requisitioned the building for use by the two Houses of Parliament when London was threatened by the Luftwaffe.
In fact the building was used for this purpose in 1940, 1941, and 1944. Many historic speeches and events took place within the building during this time and one in particular was the announcement, by Mr. Churchill from the stage of the Hoare Memorial Hall, of the sinking of the Battleship Bismarck.
On the 27 November 1945 the first meetings of the United Nations Preparatory Commission and Security Council were held in the Hoare Memorial Hall. Over the years. many National meetings of importance have been held in the building.
The building was made Grade 2 listed in 1988 and the Conference Centre underwent a total refurbishment, including new kitchens, during 1989/1990. The present Conference Centre opened officially on 19 November 1990 and has proved to be a great success and is attracting custom from all walks of commercial life. After its first year the Conference Centre was nominated in three categories of the 1992 Meetings Industry Awards and was voted runner-up in each.
It won two prizes in 1993 and no less than five in 1994, including Best Conference and Banqueting staff, Best Value for Money, Best Unusual Venue and Best Food and Beverages and in 1995 was runner up in two Categories and won the award for Best Unusual UK Venue. It was also voted Most Excellent Business Venue 1998 by Johansens in association with Master Card.