The Universal Hall is an iconic building at the heart of The Park Ecovillage, and was a formative element at a time when the Community expanded exponentially in the early 1970s. Similar to the Matrimadir in our sister Community Auroville in India, the Universal Hall gave the Community at the time a focus that created purpose and cohesion. Initially it was called University Hall but the name was changed in 1978.

It was a central project for the Community from 1974 until its opening to the public in 1983.

Our Living Record captures many amazing stories of manifestation and cooperation on all levels as they were told at that time through our different Community newsletters. These are powerful stories, the stuff myths and legends are made of, to create a sense of identity, creating deep roots that can nourish and hold the future.

  • 5 architects working together, creating a design that in the end was found to have proportions of Sacred Geometry without that being a consciously stated intention in the design phase;
  • the large building being constructed mainly by hand by thousands of willing amateurs under the leadership of a few skilled focalisers, a labour of love in epic proportions;
  • ambitious projects such as putting 5 huge ring beams in place by 40 people carrying each one up scaffolding and them fitting in place perfectly, not to speak of manifesting the finances to continue the project throughout the 10 years (1974 to 1983) it took to build it.

When Mike Scott was living in the Community in the 2000’s, the Waterboys recorded an album called Universal Hall.

Today the Universal Hall is a sought after performance venue (seating up to 400), a conference and workshop centre, and a place for the Community to meet for meditation, community meetings, celebrations and rituals, ceilidhs and ‘sharings’ which showcase the amazing creativity and artistic accomplishment of many members, young and old.

It is the home of a dynamic social enterprise, Universal Hall Promotions, and the busy Phoenix Café. The Universal Hall is owned by the Findhorn Foundation.

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For those of our readers that want to delve into this fascinating topic more deeply there are many stories on our website to delight you.

The Beginnings

Peter Caddy recounts in his autobiography the manifestation of the land which allowed the Community to embark on the amazing endeavour to build the Hall.

The Building Phase 1974 – 1983

The Living Record  gives many wonderful accounts written at the time and published in the Community’s newsletters. It provides a treasure trove of articles written by Community members, including Angus Marland, Lyle Schnadt, Joe Monteadora, Mary Inglis…

The 50th Birthday Book provides us with two stories by George Ripley The conception and building of the Universal Hall and The Hall and the Pyramid of Giza and Caroline Shaw’s The Universal Hall A Sacred Building. It also offers Robert Blakesley’s poem from 1975.

In 2023 we have lots more stories which offer recollections of that time when building the Hall was close to the heart beat of the Community. A slideshow narrated by George Ripley, the architect and Lyle Schnadt, the master builder in 2002 gives a wonderful insight into the dynamic process of building the Hall. Many Community members have strong memories from that time and share their personal stories. Some are funny, others profound, some about small details whilst others describe broad perspectives. We want to express our deep appreciation of Caroline Shaw for producing a trilogy that covers all of the 10 years in detail specially for this Topic story.

The Building in use

In the 50th Birthday Book Peter Vallance describes the activities taking place in the Hall. Sylvia Robertson shares the story We got married in the Universal Hall. Sacred Dance always brings wonderful music and life to the Hall. And of course many of the 60th Birthday Celebrations events took place in the Universal Hall and the photos and videos show much of this glorious space in use.

Restorations and more completions

Several major works have taken place over the last 4 decades and we have stories about two of those projects so far:

  • Graham Meltzer recounts the project in 2007 of Replacing the roof of the Universal Hall covering it with sedum instead of stones.
  • During the Covid lockdowns in 2020 Caroline Shaw managed the project to complete the terrace in front of the café. This co-creative community project produced the most stunning phoenix mosaic.

Collated by Cornelia Featherstone with much appreciated input from Caroline Shaw – March 2023

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Topics are a ‘reader’s digest’, a summary of essential Community facets offering a compilation of posts for further information. Click here for a list of Topics we have produced so far.

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