Hopes that a disused village church could become a community hub and visitor centre are fading.
The Church of England had agreed to lease Croglin’s Church of St John the Baptist, which closed in 2012, to The Helm at Croglin, a charitable incorporated organisation set up to take forward plans for a visitor and community facility.
However, it looks likely that church leaders are planning to put the empty Grade II-listed building up for sale, potentially for conversion to a private house.
Ruth Lawley, chair of The Helm, said: “We have been unable to raise the necessary funding and, understandably, Carlisle Diocese isn’t prepared to wait indefinitely.
“They have told us that the church will go on the market but, if we can raise funding before a sale is agreed, they will reconsider their position.
“We are still looking at funding options. In the meantime, we plan to continue our programme of talks and events at Croglin Village Hall.
“There is widespread public support and goodwill towards The Helm project and we are determined that there will be a lasting legacy.”
The group had planned to renovate the church and install a kitchen, accessible toilet, wi-fi and an air-source heat pump.
Once open, it would house displays to tell locals and visitors about the history, landscape and wildlife of the North Pennines, offer a base for school field trips and other groups, a pop-up café, lending library, a home for the village post office and, in winter, a warm hub.
The pews would be removed to create a flexible space for talks, musical recitals, art exhibitions and other activities.
However, the project was twice refused funding by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and rejected by the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
It was awarded £250,000 from the Government’s Community Ownership Fund only for the offer to be withdrawn through lack of match funding. The Community Ownership Fund has since been closed.
