LONDON (Mennonite Mission Network) —Mennonites who’ve spent any significant time in London have probably visited—or at least heard of—the London Mennonite Centre. The house in Highgate has been a stopping point and a place of hospitality for Mennonites in London since its doors opened in 1953.

Now, after 57 years, the property is for sale.

In a meeting on June 14, trustees of the Centre decided that selling the house was in the best financial interest of the local Anabaptist community. But the decision to sell grew from a much larger process, one of re-visioning and goal-setting that will support current work and move the community into a new era.

“Our determination was and is to be driven by vision not recession, and to ensure that the assets represented by our current buildings enable the LMC to move forwards rather than backwards, especially in difficult times,” said the statement from the Centre’s trustees.

The process of discernment has included numerous people, including current Centre staff; staff from Bridge Builders, the mediation program that operates out of the LMC; members of Wood Green Mennonite Church; and Tim Foley, Mission Network’s director for Europe. The discernment process revealed a strong commitment to Anabaptist values, and a continuing desire to be an Anabaptist witness in the United Kingdom and to provide a place of hospitality, even if it’s not in the current space.

“This is a very exciting time for the LMC,” said Foley. “A new location, fresh vision, and a commitment to work closely with the U.K. Anabaptist Network—all the ingredients are present for new life and the next phase of the LMC.”

The trustees have made the decision to remain in London while seeking space that’s more accessible and adaptable.

 “We seek an approach to this project that honours the huge investment of love, creativity and faithfulness represented by our current building,” their statement said.