Historical perspective

Westminster House South has a fascinating and colorful history. In 1910, two Presbyterian churches in Berkeley purchased the home of a former mayor of the young city on the corner of College Avenue and Bancroft Way. By 1917, students were living in the large Victorian home.

In 1927 Westminster House finished building a home designed by Walter Ratcliff, with the help of a generous donation from the Bidwell family, who had made their fortune during the California gold rush. From the very beginning, it was a “home away from home." During the 1960’s the executive committee of the Free Speech Movement was not allowed to meet on campus and so they gathered in the Great Hall of Westminster House.

Over the years, all kinds of students have lived in Westminster House, or used one of the many rooms for activities ranging from “Singspirations” to organizing to end apartheid in South Africa, to taking intensive Arabic language classes.

In 2001, Westminster House purchased a house that stands at the intersection of Hearst, Arch, and Le Conte on the north side of campus and converted this into student housing as well. In the fall of 2003, Westminster House South re-opened following construction and renovation to house 130 students in a high-quality residence.

Today, Westminster House boasts two quality student residences close to campus. We look forward to entering our second century next to UC Berkeley.

A Sacred Space

John Hadsell, Campus Pastor of Westminster House for twelve years (1959-1970), literally wrote the book on the history of Westminster House. A Sacred Space not only outlines the history of the house, but places it within the wider context of the history of Berkeley for the century that this ministry has been present in the city. To read an excerpt, click here.