Celebrating 70 years of the Church of the Nazarene in Carlisle

A group of like minded people with a passion for the message of holiness had been meeting since 1920 in what became known as “The Power House… in old Rickergate, this work grew and then outgrew those premises and so the work moved to West Tower Street, near where Peter Tyson’s is now situated. This became known as “The Upper Room… and often the place was filled to capacity because of the clear preaching and the power of the ministry. This was the foundations of the Holiness movement in Carlisle.

In 1938, a tent campaign on what was the “Sands… was held by a group of itinerant preachers known as “the trekkers… from the Church of the Nazarene. In order to accommodate the number who were converted and to desire to stay in fellowship with those of like mind who preached the gospel of holiness, the decision was taken to offer the “Upper Room… to the Church of the Nazarene to establish a formal work in the city.

In 1951, having received notice to vacate the West Tower Street premises, the church took the bold decision to leave what was the area of activity and vibrancy in the city centre, and to relocate to what was the edge of the city. It was on Moorhouse Road that a former, and part derelict Presbyterian Mission hall was purchased.

The Church was officially opened in Belle Vue on the 8th March 1952, and a new era of mission to a community began.

In 1982 a decision was made to expand the property to the meet the needs of the community and enable the church to fulfil all that was required in terms of ministry, and on the 5th May 1984 the completed building was dedicated to God. Although the frontage of the building has stayed the same the extent of the building inside still surprises people today. Recent internal alternations in 2007 have again reflected the requirement to meet the needs of the local community and the church is now continuing in the role of being a centre in the community.

Over the last 57 years many people have passed through the doors of the church from Sunday school both in Belle Vue and in Raffles to boy’s brigade, to Girl’s clubs, boy’s clubs, over 55’s clubs, parent and toddlers to those able to worship on a Sunday. Over the last year we have added several new programmes to the work of the church, from a drop in café, to youth clubs, to Messy Church, to fitness sessions to craft clubsÉ. And list goes on. See the Church life section of our website for an up to date “What’s on… guide.