Grand Junction is a Grade I listed church complex on the Grand Union Canal in Paddington, London, available for hire for company events, dinners, receptions and weddings. The Nave, its largest space, holds up to 400 guests standing or 230 seated for dinner. The Undercroft takes 100 seated, and two modern meeting rooms handle groups of 10 and 20. The venue is run by a charity, Paddington Development Trust, at St Mary Magdalene's Church.
Seminars and company events
The Nave is the room for conferences, galas, award ceremonies, fairs and networking events. It seats 350 theatre style, 230 for dinner and holds 400 standing. Past hires include corporate networking, fashion shows and Christmas parties.
The Undercroft is the former crypt of the church. It has vaulted ceilings and historic brickwork, seats 100 and holds 130 standing. It has hosted large board meetings, AGMs, launches, talks, panel discussions and team socials.
For smaller groups, the Studio (20 people) and the Nest (10 people) sit in the modern extension. Both are purpose built, bright and airy, and suit small board meetings, away days, seminars, training sessions and workshops. Meeting room packages include event management and fast internet access, and the Studio has an integrated touchscreen. Tea and coffee are available at an extra cost. The Studio and Nest can be added to a booking of the Nave or the Undercroft, which works for an away day that needs a plenary room and breakout rooms.
The spaces can be hired Monday to Saturday. Evening and weekend hires may carry a small surcharge.
Weddings and receptions
For weddings, the Nave seats between 80 and 210 guests for dinner. The Undercroft serves as a drinks reception room or an evening dance space, with 130 standing, 100 seated at round tables or 110 at a standing buffet. Caterers also use it as a preparation area. The Neo-Gothic Chapel of St Sepulchre, below the church, is included in a wedding booking.
Booking Grand Junction means exclusive use of the venue. An event manager coordinates the day and helps with suppliers and hire companies. Hire includes a site visit and two further meetings on site. Couples work with florists of their choice.
Rooms and capacities
The Nave holds 350 theatre style, 230 at dinner and 400 standing. The Undercroft holds 100 seated and 130 standing. The Studio takes 20 people and the Nest 10. The Chapel of St Sepulchre is a small decorated room used for wedding photographs and filming. Layouts in the Nave and Undercroft are flexible, and floor plans are available from the hire team.
Catering
A café on site opens during the day and can take large orders for lunch or refreshments if you give notice. For dinners and receptions you choose from a range of suppliers, and your event manager can point you to them.
History and setting
St Mary Magdalene's was completed in 1878 to a design by G.E. Street, with a painted ceiling and stained glass by leading craftspeople of the period. The extension, completed in 2019 by Dow Jones Architects, added the modern meeting rooms and facilities. The chapel below has appeared in film productions. All income from events goes back to the charity's community and education work.
Getting there
Royal Oak is 0.3 miles away, Warwick Avenue 0.4 miles and Paddington station 0.9 miles. Parking is limited to two or three spaces on site, with free street parking on Saturdays and after 6:30 pm on weekdays. All spaces and facilities are wheelchair accessible.
