Communities in Cumbria use their church buildings for a wide range of activities whilst keeping them open for public worship. To offer you inspiration and guidance on adaptions to accommodate additional uses and make buildings more comfortable, the case studies below outline the changes made and provide contact details of people involved. Contact us to discuss your plans and/or ideas for new uses for your church

Post office and public facilities

Burneside, St Oswald's hosts a post office and public toilet.

St Bega's, Eskdale hosts a Post Office on certain days.  Much interest has been expressed in how churches can fill such gaps in local services in rural communities.  Heritage Link has recorded the progress.  The Carlisle Diocese website provides information about hosting a post office in your church.

Public rooms for hire, events and arts

Windermere, St Mary's significant re-ordering means the Applethwaite Centre which has  public meeting rooms and art gallery space.
St John the Evangelist, Carlisle has recently undergone significant reordering.
Ambleside Parish Centre has a wonderful and flexible space due to an excellent partnership between the Anglican and Methodist Churches. The Parish Centre website show how the churches and people of Ambleside are offeed a range of social, health and young people’s activities with high quality rooms for hire.
Penrith Methodist Church, a popular conference & community centre, with the church hall in the same building, offers sports such as badminton and bowls to the whole community. More photographs available here.

Outreach and Partnership

Gosforth Methodist Church is an excellent example of outreach and partnership working.
St Bees Priory hosts the local history project with displays about the Priory and the Village.  if you want to do something similar in your church, Chris Robson, Vice Chair of the history group would be happy to discuss the process they took:  01946 822468 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Comfort and facilities

Lazonby St Nicholas installed a toilet and discreet kitchen in 2009 for the convenience of the congregation and to help increase the use of the building for other activites.
Ulverston Parish Church has recently undergone significant reordering to create a flexible worship space and kitchen area.

Community cafes

In the west of the county, both Whitehaven St Nicholas and Frizington St Paul host community cafes.  Cafes may be run by volunteers or as small businesses.  Penrith Methodist Church hosts a luncheon club.

 Farmers' Markets

All Saints, Orton regularly holds stalls in the church during the farmers’ markets days in Orton. Click here to see photos of the days in action.

Music performances

Ten churches provide annual venues for the popular Lake District Summer Music Festival.  Others are used  as rehearsal spaces by local groups.

Young people

Church halls across Cumbria are used by groups of young people of all ages. However Great Clifton Methodist church hosts a range of activities in conjunction with Catholic Caring Services within the church building itself.  Contact Angela Good, Centre Manager 01900 818877.

Glassonby Methodist Chapel had hoped to become a community resource but with insufficient support the project folded and the chapel is now closed.  Find out how they explored the options and what lessons were learnt.

Your Church? If you would like to share the changes made to your own church, please contact us.