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West · Founded 1844 · Theological college

Westminster College

It is the most architecturally rewarding of the Federation houses from the street, yet it remains a working United Reformed Church college shaped by the remarkable 'Sisters of Sinai' rather than a tourist site.

Official site
Founded1844
WhereWest
TypeTheological college

The college

A closer
look.

West — Madingley Road

Founded 1844. Founded in London in 1844 as the theological college of the Presbyterian Church in England, it moved to Cambridge in 1899 on a site given by the twin manuscript scholars Agnes Smith Lewis and Margaret Dunlop Gibson, and since 1972 it has trained ministers for the United Reformed Church.

Henry Hare's red-brick and stone college of 1897–99, Tudor in general style with Arts and Crafts detailing and a landmark entrance tower, commands the corner of Queen's Road and Madingley Road at the north-west edge of the Backs. Twenty-first-century redevelopment has renewed the buildings for study and hospitality.

Find it · West · Founded 1844Westminster College
Drawing routeThe itinerary still works without the map.
52.2104°N, 0.1119°WGet directions

On a visit

Don’t miss.

  1. 01Henry Hare's entrance tower at the Queen's Road corner
  2. 02Red brick and stone Arts and Crafts detailing
  3. 03Chapel windows, seen when attending events
  4. 04Portraits recalling the Sisters of Sinai, interior by arrangement
  5. 05The Backs beginning directly across the road

Connected to

Notable
names.

  • Agnes Smith Lewis and Margaret Dunlop Gibson, the 'Sisters of Sinai'
  • John Oman, Presbyterian theologian and Principal
  • The Cheshunt College inheritance from Selina, Countess of Huntingdon's 1768 foundation
  • The Cambridge Theological Federation and the Woolf Institute, both based on site

Before you go

Visiting Westminster College

Westminster College is a working United Reformed Church college rather than a tourist site; guests are welcomed chiefly through its conference, dining and events hospitality. Its archives receive researchers by arrangement, so casual entry cannot be assumed.

Opening hours, admission and access change often — check the official site before you travel.

Founded
1844
Area
West — Madingley Road
Type
Theological college

On the same walk

Closest to
this one.

Editorial record

Reviewed, sourced and accountable.

This guide to Westminster College is maintained by an independent editorial team. Changing visitor details should always be confirmed with the responsible organisation.

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Written and reviewed by
Above Guide Editorial Team
Verified identifier
Wikidata Q7989147

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