Church gets a £45k boost for roofing project
ABAPTIST church has received a £45,000 funding boost for a reroofing project.
Open Door Baptist Church, which is based at Horse Carrs House in Shawclough, has received the funding from SUEZ Communities Trust, an independent funding body set up to improve vital public recreation facilities such as village halls, community centres, and play areas.
Horse Carrs House was built 155 years ago by mill owner Thomas Watson, who also built the first Rochdale Infirmary.
Open Door took ownership of the building in 2010 and have used the site for all their church activities and coffee house since.
The money will be used to re-roof the building, replacing or repairing the existing rooflights, and adding in more insulation to make the building weatherproof and better insulated.
Prior to lockdown the church was well-used by the local community but the roof had deteriorated and water had been entering the premises.
A spokesperson for the church said: ”The members of Open Door Baptist Church are delighted to receive this generous grant from SUEZ Communities Trust. Without this work the building will continue to deteriorate and may be lost as a community asset.
“This will enable us to reignite our desire to serve the local community and we look forward to welcoming people back into our church fellowship and the coffee house.”
Marek Gordon, chairman of SUEZ Communities Trust added “SUEZ Communities Trust provides funding awards through the Landfill Communities Fund.
“We were delighted to be able to offer funding to Open Door Baptist Church.”