Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church future secured

Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church, Belfast on World Monuments Fund list

Alex Attwood, Environment Minister, has pledged £400,000 to secure this iconic Belfast building, situated at Carlisle Circus, North Belfast. It was designed in a Gothic Revival style, and completed by Architect W.H Lynn in 1875. It was closed as a church since 1982, and has been lying empty since the late 80′s, and is in a critical condition. The church was recognized as one of the world’s most endangered buildings in 2010, by the World Monuments Fund.

In the announcement, Attwood said: “Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church is one of Belfast’s best known listed buildings and is a hugely important landmark at the entrance to West and North Belfast from the city centre. This funding will help secure its future and, following its conservation and regeneration, will be a great opportunity to both revitalize and provide a significant economic boost for the area. What I and DOE is about, is making Northern Ireland a better place to live, work and invest and this will certainly help to do that. While it is not economically feasible to save every historic building, it is vital that we do as much as we can to preserve our rich past for future generations. Carlisle memorial is a jewel in our historical crown and after it’s conservation, it will have a great beneficial impact for the economy, tourism and for health and well being.”

A spokesman for Belfast Building Preservation Trust said: “Belfast Buildings Preservation Trust is delighted to receive this support from the Department of the Environment. Carlisle Memorial Church was Watch Listed by the World Monuments Fund in 2010 as one of the 100 most endangered historic buildings in the world. The Department’s support is critical in stabilizing and securing the building and allows us valuable time to work towards finding a vibrant and sustainable regeneration solution.”