The Bishopsgate Institute opened on New Year’s Day 1895. It was built using funds from charitable endowments made to the parish of St Botolph without Bishopsgate. These had been collected by the parish for over 500 years, but a scheme agreed by the Charity Commissioners in 1891, enabled these to be drawn together into one endowment. Reverend William Rogers (1819-1896), Rector of St Botolph’s and a notable educational reformer and supporter of free libraries was instrumental in setting up the Institute and ensuring that the original charitable aims were met. It offers a cultural events programme, courses for adults, historic library and archive collections and community programme.

Architect Charles Harrison Townsend, who also designed the nearby Whitechapel Gallery and the Horniman Museum in south London.