The First Mosque in England: A Historical Exploration at Brougham Terrace, Liverpool

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The Earliest Recorded Mosque in Britain

The earliest recorded mosque in Britain was established in 1889 at 8 Brougham Terrace in Liverpool. The site, now held in a grade I listing, was the first dedicated space for Muslim worship in the UK, marking a significant milestone in Islamic history for the region. Listed in 1985, it has stood as a testament to the early British Muslim community's perseverance and dedication.

The Foundation and Community Behind the Mosque

The creation of this mosque was led by Sheikh Abdullah William Henry Quilliam (1856-1932), a convert to Islam. Quilliam, a local solicitor from a Methodist background, converted during his travels in Morocco. He convened with a group of 20 British converts to Islam to form the Muslim Institute, aimed at establishing Islam's permanence in the country. The move to Brougham Terrace was initially met with hostility from local residents, who would pelt the group with eggs and stones due to the prevailing social and religious norms of Victorian Britain.

The premises at 8 Brougham Terrace initially hosted meetings in a rented room on nearby Mount Vernon Street. However, these meetings were forced to relocate due to the landlady's objections, leading to the purchase of the house by Quilliam in Brougham Terrace. The mosque provided stability and support to the local Muslim community until Quilliam's departure in 1908, when the building was later repurposed and fell into disrepair.

Adaptation for Islamic Worship

The architectural adaptation of the 19th-century Georgian terrace house was crucial for its transition into a mosque. Built in around 1830 to the designs of local architect James Allanson Picton, the Brougham Terrace originally consisted of 12 houses. Named after Henry Brougham, a Whig politician and statesman, the terrace provided housing for the more affluent classes of Liverpool. Its exterior featured stucco-fronted houses with elegant designs and low steps leading to principal doorways.

After Quilliam acquired the property, the interior was adapted to fit the needs of Islamic worship, including the installation of a mihrab (a niche indicating the direction of the Kaba) in the Saracenic style, inspired by the Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo. A mimbar (a platform for the imam) was also installed, and the adhan (call to prayer) was delivered from a first-floor balcony. Tragically, this balcony no longer exists today.

A Beacon for British Islam

The Muslim Institute at Brougham Terrace emerged as a significant center for the Muslim faith in Britain. At its peak, the mosque served around 150 worshippers. The institute expanded its reach by purchasing adjacent houses, establishing a printing press, lecture hall, orphanage, and school. The primary aim was to establish a permanent presence for Islam in the UK, reflecting Quilliam's vision as stated in his words: "to establish Islam on a permanent footing in this country."

The atmosphere at the institute was inclusive and progressive, inviting non-Muslims to participate in evening classes and lectures that offered local working people opportunities to learn new vocational skills. In response to the plight of illegitimate and orphaned children in Liverpool, Quilliam founded the Medina Home for Children in 1896, a testament to his concern for the well-being of the youth.

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Restoration and Reopening

Brougham Terrace has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. The Abdullah Quilliam Society has worked diligently to restore the building to its former glory, reopening it as a mosque in 2014. For more information on the restoration and the history of this significant site, visit the Abdullah Quilliam Society website.

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