 The building, which had been a banana warehouse in the 18th century and subsequently an auction house, was "given by the Catholic Church in perpetuity to the people of Africa in 1962".The idea for the centre was conceived in 1961 by Margaret Feeny, whose aim (as described by Lloyd Bradley) was "to foster non-governmental relations between newly independent African nations by bringing people together on neutral apolitical ground.It would also maintain informal cultural links between Britain and her former colonies, while offering a friendly meeting place for Africans living in London."