Help the Old Church Centre become an exciting home for arts, heritage and the community in the Glens
Cushendun Building Preservation Trust (CBPT) was established in 2006 to save this lovely little 1840's, B1 listed former Church of Ireland Church and give it a new lease of life as a much needed community, heritage and arts space. After thirteen years of campaigning, fundraising, grant applications and meetings, the building has been beautifully restored and adapted. The Old Church Centre, Cushendun, officially opened on the 6th July 2019. Now we face a bigger challenge, keeping the doors open! If we are to provide a warm and welcoming hub with an exciting programme of events we need to keep the money coming in. Getting funding for the restoration work was hard, getting funding to keep the heating on or pay for bin collections is even more difficult. A monthly donation of just £3 will make a real difference and ensure the long term future for the Old Church Centre as a home fore heritage, arts, and the community.
Why the community needs usCBPT is a community led organisation and the Old Church Centre reflects local needs. By providing a venue for a community cinema, wellness classes, music, and many other purposes it is not just a shared space, but also shared experience. The centre is a place for people to meet, a place which actively preserves the unique heritage of the Glens, a place that promotes creativity for everyone and, an as a visitor attraction, will contribute to the local economy.
Our impact on the communityTo date our main achievement has been to restore the Old Church. On the way we have undertaken many other heritage and community projects. We have established an annual festival, the Cushendun Big Arts Weekend, and the Cushendun Book Fair. We have published a book of reminiscences of the Cushendun Church and produced a wonderful film about the Dancehall at Castlegreen conserving less tangible but equally precious aspects of heritage, Help us to continue to treasure our unique culture.
We would benefit from a volunteer with accountancy skills to help keep financial records.
