A bright future beckons for a disused village church in Eden.
A group has been formed, called The Helm Croglin, to preserve the listed building in Croglin and open it as a community asset.
The aim is to lease the building from the Church of England then carry out structural work to make it fit for purpose.
Ruth Lawley, a Croglin resident who is chairing the group, said: “We want The Helm Croglin to be a welcoming place for locals and visitors.
“It will be equipped with a kitchen, toilets and broadband, so people can drop in to use the space, and will house a post office and library.
“The intention is to open most of the time so that individuals and groups – including school groups – can access it.
“There will be a permanent exhibition showcasing the history and natural environment of the North Pennines and we’re keen to provide space for craftspeople to work, to host exhibitions and perhaps an artist in residence.
“There is real potential to create something worthwhile.”
The Church of St John the Baptist closed in 2012 although the graveyard is still in use.
Since then, attempts by the Church of England’s Carlisle Diocese to sell the building for conversion to a domestic dwelling have been unsuccessful.
The diocese is now prepared to lease the church at a peppercorn rent to a not-for-profit organisation that will safeguard its future.
A feasibility study carried out last year looked at possible uses and assessed the structural work needed to make the building fit for purpose.
A survey and drop-in event last summer, followed by a public meeting in November, helped to refine the plans further.
The Helm Croglin – named after the Helm wind – is registering with the Charity Commission as a charitable incorporated organisation.
It will then be able to begin fund raising and applying for grants from the likes of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The feasibility study estimated the cost of repairs and conversion to a community facility at more than £250,000.
In addition to Ruth Lawley, the group’s trustees are Bryan Gray – who has been involved in a similar project to convert a former school at Hunsonby into a community centre – Eden district councillor Mary Robinson, Louise Fawcett, Mark Hetherington and Julian Whittle.
Three villagers recently bought at auction a pen-and-ink drawing of Croglin Church by the author and illustrator Alfred Wainwright.
This will become a permanent exhibit when The Helm Croglin opens.
Ruth added: “We’d love to hear from anyone who’d like to get involved. This is a community initiative, so we’re eager to involve people who share our passion to take this forward either as a trustee or in another role.”
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