History
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall: 1958 - Present
When the first Sikhs arrived in Southall in the 1940’s and 50’s, they used homes as Gurdwara’s. As the population grew, so did the need for large building.
Initially programmes were held at Shackleton Hall, until the move to 11 Beaconsfield Road.
Shackleton Hall
11 Beaconsfield Road
Soon the emigration of Malaysian and Singaporean Sikhs led to the formation of an additional group – Sri Guru Nanak Singh Sabha. The two groups remained independent until 1964 when they merged as Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall.
In 1964 the group opened their first Gurdwara. It was situated at The Green; the Gurdwara also served as the headquarters of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall (SGSSS). This site remains, with plans for a new community centre to be built.
With Tulwar flashing the "five beloveds" / Panj Pyare wearing traditional golden costumes speed through an astonished London Airport, on April 29, 1967, as escort to Mr. Singh Gill, President of Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha at Southall, Middlesex, with the Khanda from Toshkhana.
Panj Pyare stir Amrit with the Khanda from Amritsar in perparation for the Amrit Sanchar of two hundred Sangat in Southall, London, April 1967.
Sant Pritipal Singh Sayyad of Patiala, India, reciting for sangat (holy congregation) from the Sikh Scripture. March, 1967
Panj Pyare stir Amrit with the Khanda from Amritsar in perparation for the Amrit Sanchar of two hundred Sangat in Southall, London, 30th April 1967.
As a result of the relentless seva by the sangat, the dairy was transformed into a Gurdwara in a matter of weeks. The Khanda was brought in April 1967 to England from the Tosha Khana at Darbar Sahib Amritsar for Amrit Parchar. From such humble beginnings Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall soon emerged as the leading Gurdwara outside of India.
Diwan Hall of the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Southall, in the Borough of Ealing, West London, England, circa 1975.
1997 saw Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall move to the Park Avenue site (originally purchased in 1984). This was to allow for the construction of the current day Havelock Road Gurdwara.
On 30th March 2003 Havelock Road (now Guru Nanak Road), Gurdwara site was inaugurated by HRH Prince of Wales – Prince Charles (now King Charles III).
Since then many dignitaries such as Former Prime Minister Rt Hon Tony Blair, Archbishop of Canterbury and the leaders of all the Political Parties have visited the Gurdwara.
SGSSS has been involved in most issues concerning Sikhs such as precipitating an overwhelming response to the racist programmes in 1970’s in the UK to ensuring turbans and other Sikhs practices are allowed in work and social places. Sikhs in UK have successfully established themselves in many fields and have long dreamt of building an institution to reflect their growing influence, secure their children’s future and accommodate the growing number of congregations.
Present Day
Today the two Gurdwara’s serve as the hub of the community both Sikh and non-Sikh, with over 15,000 worshippers and visitors entering the Guru’s door every week.
As well as continuing and enhancing the well-established religious programmes the new building is able to accommodate large congregations both in the main hall (seating up to three thousand), surrounded by a gallery to allow worshippers to meditate or pray in an area of solitude. Additionally, there is a Multi Activity Hall (seating up to 1000 worshippers) which can be used as an overflow area for Gurpurbs, marriages or other special religious functions.
The langar (the free kitchen) hall provides food to all citizens of the community seven days a week and will be able to serve as many as 20,000 meals a week, in the continuous and unique Sikh tradition, where all are welcome, (race, sex, colour and creed do not matter) the food is always free and always strictly vegetarian.
SGSSS today provide a huge range of services, to find out more visit the services pages.
29 May 1981: The Peoples March For Jobs Reaches London
The Sikh community of Southall opened their arms and their hearts to the participants of the People's March for Jobs by feeding them at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Temple Havelock Road, and offered sleeping accommodation for 200 of them. (Photos by Dennis Hart/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
A member of the Southall Sikh community handing out food to participants of the People's March for Jobs
Sevadars preparing Langar
Sangat and Sevadars in the Langar area
Participants of the People's March for Jobs and Sangat in the Langar hall