Moorhouse Methodist Church raising funds to re-open their cellar

Moorhouse Methodist Church

Moorhouse Methodist Church is raising funds to re-open its cellar for the first time since it fell into disuse in the 1980s.

The cellar was once a well-known coffee bar called ‘The Fish’ in the 1960s and 70s before it was blocked up when the original church building had to be knocked down.

The Church group is now in the process of bringing the cellar back to its former state, with James and Harriet Hardwick at the heart of the fundraising scheme for the refurbishment.

James explained the church’s plans for the cellar: “We are hoping to make the cellar into a more welcoming and warm environment. We have got a big Sunday school room but we want to make the cellar into a full time youth room which will be better for them.

“We have got plans for an after school club which might create a better environment for children to do their homework. We would like to make it a nice family room.

“Bands from around the area used to play here as well, so I think it would be good to do something similar to that and possibly have live music nights. A Christian beat band from Liverpool called the Crossbeats played here a few times.

“There’s a fair bit of work to do to refurbish the cellar but work is already ongoing. We’ve replaced a beam down there and it will need plastering and damp proofing. We have got an old boiler down there that will need taking out as well.”

The couple completed the Total Warrior challenge in the Lake District last Sunday (7 August) and have so far raised £674 for their efforts, as James said of the relentless assault course:

“It was really difficult but enjoyable as well. I did a 10-mile course and my wife Harriet did the 10km course.

“I actually injured my knee in the run up to the event so I only went running about five times before, so I struggled a bit. I did complete it in two hours and 27 minutes but my knee still isn’t so good.”

The church has held other fundraising events this year as well, including a garden party for the Queen’s birthday earlier this summer. They have also received plenty of gifts to help the fundraising programme and are planning to hold quiz nights throughout the year to aid it further, too.

https://www.gofundme.com/TotalWarriors4MMC