Maryport’s former Christ Church will not reopen as the new home for the town’s maritime museum until the autumn.
Work has been delayed on the project after some windows were found to be more damaged than initially thought.
Cumberland Council said Christ Church, over 150 years old, suffered decades of deterioration before Allerdale Borough Council bought it in 2020.
Its reinvention as the Maritime Museum was then taken up by Cumberland Council.
During the conservation project, main contractor Thomas Armstrong Construction discovered the fragility of the glass and frames of some of the windows was worse than first surveyed.
The stained-glass windows were not affected, only the areas containing leaded glass which needed to be replaced.
Resolving the damage was delayed because the building is Grade II-listed. It meant replacement windows needed listed building planning consent.
It also sits in a Conservation Area, and is of significant historic importance, featuring prominently in Maryport’s maritime heritage, and being the focus of artists such as LS Lowry. Additional funding was also sought to pay for the extra conservation work.
Cumberland Council said that behind the scenes, the rest of the project has continued as planned, including interactive features, a reception area, shop, mezzanine floor, crow’s nest and lighting displays.
Leader of Cumberland Council Mark Fryer said: “Our priority for Christ Church is to preserve and protect a building which is part of the fabric of Maryport and give it a long and successful future.
“We are creating a new maritime museum as a destination which will attract visitors and locals alike, bringing even more footfall to the town.
“Working on old buildings is always a challenge and often throws up additional issues throughout a project. It is never an exact science, you do not know what materials were used in the initial construction and you don’t know how a building has been treated throughout its life.
“So, while it is frustrating that the restoration has proved complicated, we are determined to get it right, to ensure the ongoing sustainability of this Maryport landmark, and to make sure it lasts for many more years to come.”
Maryport Maritime Museum’s former home has been transformed into the Shipping Brow Gallery.
