Jain Center, Leicester

Located on Oxford Street in Leicester, the Jain Centre is a striking testament to the city's multicultural evolution. Originally built in 1863 as a Congregational Chapel, this building once served the local Christian community in a rapidly developing area of Leicester. However, as people moved out of the city center to suburban areas in the 1960s, the chapel lost its congregation and eventually closed in the 1970s.

In 1988, the former chapel became the first consecrated Jain temple in the Western world, uniting all Jain sects under one roof. Clad in white marble from India, it features 44 intricately carved sandstone pillars, a grand dome and ceiling, mirrored walls, and hand-carved staircases. The Garbhagriha (inner sanctum), with its traditional doors, enhances the temple’s sacred ambiance.

The Jain Centre is not only a place of worship but also a cultural and educational hub. It houses consecrated images, a museum, a library, an auditorium, and a dining hall, serving both the Jain community and the broader public interested in learning about Jainism.

Jainism, one of the world’s oldest religions, originated in India and is founded on the principles of non-violence, equality among all living beings, environmental care, and tolerance toward other faiths. The Jain community in Leicester traces its roots back to immigrants from India and Kenya, many of whom arrived in the 1970s. The Jain Samaj Europe organization, which oversees the temple, was established in 1973, and today, Leicester is home to an estimated 1,000 Jains.

The Jain Centre stands as a symbol of faith, craftsmanship, and multicultural harmony, blending Leicester’s religious history with the enduring traditions of Jainism.