Whitehaven's former Lowther Street Methodist Church to go under hammer

The former Lowther Street Methodist Church in Whitehaven will be up for grabs at a livestreamed auction on September 14.

The building, which was recently given planning permission for conversion into a luxury home, has a guide price of £60,000+.

Inside the former Methodist Church, which was recently granted planning permission to be converted into a luxury home (Image: Bond Wolfe)

Built to seat 800 people and opened in 1878, the Wesleyan church was still a vibrant place of worship 100 years later, but by 1996 a dwindling congregation and the need for expensive repairs led to the decision to close the church.

The landmark building has been empty and disused since 1996 but secured planning permission from Cumberland Council in July for conversion to a single luxury home.

Inside the former church building which has stood empty for a number of years (Image: Bond Wolfe)

Ian Tudor, commercial auction director at Bond Wolfe, said: “This is a substantial property, constructed in a Gothic style, with many attractive features.

“While permission has been granted for conversion to a residential dwelling, it could also be suitable for a variety of alternative uses including a bar, restaurant, community uses, a dance or fitness studio, all subject to planning.”

The former church occupies a prominent position on the corner of Lowther Street and Scotch Street in Whitehaven town centre.

The former Methodist Church in Whitehaven is just one of 175 lots that are appearing in Bond Wolfe’s next auction, which will start at 9am on Thursday 14 September.