13/07/2025
The team at Grange Methodist Church in Cumbria understands their local community and are working hard to ensure their building meets the needs of its users. This brilliant ethos is why we’ve chosen them as our .
Grange Methodist Church is located in the middle of the town. It is the second oldest church in Grange, built in 1874 on a green field, which is now the main shopping street in the town. The building is a good example of late 19th century Gothic Revival Nonconformist church architecture.
The team at Grange Methodist Church have been fundraising for years to be able to make the church building more accessible. The changes have wide-spread support from the community and from their local MP. But once they reached their target, sadly they found that two years of inflation and spiralling costs of building materials meant that project costs had doubled.
“We believe equality is important, but at the moment that’s not the message our building gives,” explains Revd Jo Rand, Minister at Grange Methodist Church.
“This project means everyone will be able to come in through the same welcoming entrance, rather than having step-free access hidden away round the back by the bins, and the toilets will be easy to find, and have hot water for hand washing, and heating!
“The church hall has always been well used, but this project makes more of our building available for all sorts of uses through the week. Relocating the kitchen means that hospitality can be at the heart of what goes on at Grange Methodist Church... We’re so excited to be able to look ahead to the warm welcome we’ll be able to offer to all sorts of community groups, rather than having to apologise for the state of our facilities.”
The team at Grange is not giving up and are looking for how they adapt their project or continue fundraising so that they can still make the Grade II Listed building a welcoming space for everyone.
📸 © Paul Rand