• During the mid 1950’s many Sikhs came from the Punjab to the UK seeking employment, there was a high demand for skilled and non-skilled labour following the labour shortage after the Second World War.
  • In the Midlands there was a high concentration of engineering and civil industries, which suited the skill-set of the immigrant Sikh community.
  • In 1955, a handful of Ramgarhia Sikhs arrived in Coventry looking for employment. They settled into their chosen professions and formed the Indian Workers Association, which provided them with a social focus.
  • The Indian Workers Association started the Sunday gathering at Stanton Bridge School Red Lane in 1960-1961. At that time there were 200-300 Sikh families.
  • During this period many of the Ramgarhia families started to arrive from East Africa, particularly from Kenya. When more Sikhs arrived things began to develop. Then a few like-minded Sikhs started to meet in houses and started performing Kirtan and other activities related to promotion of Sikhi.
  • Ramgarhia Sikhs started to hold prayers at another school in Leicester Causeway. After a few months the decision was taken to have a permanent place of worship.
  • They then approached the council for permission to get a more suitable place of worship and they were offered a house on Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry. This was a temporary venue. They met there for a few months only. For the next 12 to 18 months, with assistance from the City Council, the community rented a large house on Stoney Stanton Road to hold regular prayers and programmes.
  • In 1962 Ramgarhia community decided to build a permanent place of worship. Donations were collected locally and wherever there were Ramgarhia families. The collection was in the region of £1,400.00.
  • In 1964, the site at 1103 Foleshill Road, Coventry was available for purchase. At that time the asking price was £4,400.00 but due to other parties taking keen interest in the property the final settlement price came to £5,500.00. The property was purchased on 4th April 1965. Plans were made and approved to make the prayer hall and other facilities.
  • The very first dewan took place on the 1st floor in late 1965.
  • The community then set about choosing a leader that would be responsible for the development and construction of the new Gurdwara.
  • They were given five years to carry out the work. Originally a large house, an inside wall was knocked out and supporting girder structures placed. Only the Steel work was done by outside Contractors, the rest of the construction including the timberwork and brickworks was done through seva by the Sangat.
  • The Sangat came to help with the building of the Gurdwara from as far away as Birmingham and London. It has been quoted that during construction, all the brick work was done by the Sikhs from Birmingham, Plasterers came from London and all the Carpentry was done by the local Sangat. The total cost for materials came to £1,600.00. This was the first Ramgarhia Gurdwara in the UK.
  • The project took 5 years to complete. The first stage of construction was completed in 1969.
  • The new building was opened in 1969, the opening ceremony was performed by the then high commissioner of India Mr I. Singh. He appreciated the work done by Sikhs of Coventry, particular the hard work of Sardar Santokh Singh Bansal. In 1978 the extension was added.
  • The Ramgarhia Sikh Temple has gone from strength to strength. The temple now has two prayer halls, state-of-the-art kitchen facilities, a Community Centre, Community College and Library.
  • With more projects in the pipeline for the future and Waheguru Ji’s support the Sangat will have a Gurdwara able to meet the future needs of the Community it serves.
  • Acknowledgement
  • We applaud and congratulate the hard work and efforts of the forward thinking immigrant Sikh community that shaped the spiritual and social development of the proceeding generations by building the Ramgarhia Sikh Temple and will strive to continue the work that they started.
  • The First Ever Committee
  • In 1962 the first committee was elected who would run the affairs of the Ramgarhia Sikh temple. The chosen committee was as follows:-
  • President - Mohinder Singh Matharu
  • Vice President - Santokh Singh Bansal
  • Secretary - Gian Singh Seehra
  • Assistant Secretary - Parteet Singh
  • Treasurer - Kuldip Singh Matharu
  • Assistant Treasurer - Shanker Singh Bhachu