“Building community through the arts and encouraging creativity for all.”
Around nine years ago, a group from the congregation of St Mary’s Church Stoke Newington, realised that the little-used old church across the road from their new building was missing out on its full potential. Through discussion and inspiration, a vision for the old building sprang into being, and plans were made for a new and innovative way to use the space. In 2013, a refurb was completed, kitting out the old church with a kitchenette and new toilets, ready to open up the church as a community space for the arts.
At the forefront of bringing this old church building back to life is ‘The Old Church’ organisation, functioning within the space and in partnership with St Mary’s Church. Some of the members of the original ‘idea group’ now sit on the board of trustees for The Old Church, assisting its work to provide a community space for engaging with the arts in Stoke Newington. The Old Church has two part-time members of staff and is run independently from St Mary’s, but shares and puts to innovative use this interesting, inspiring and creative space.
The Old Church operates as an arts venue and hosts a variety of music, art, dance, comedy, theatre and performance events. They run as a not-for-profit company, and are reliant on volunteers to run and host their events. From gigs and album launches to community arts workshops, The Old Church are helping open the doors of this historic building to the community around them.
Currently, they hold one to two events a week, with a wide mix of people interested in hosting their events here. The venue is also available for private hire – a form of fundraising for the organisation.
The workshops at the weekends for families and all ages are often run on a ‘donate-if-you-can’ basis, in order to ensure maximum access to all people from all situations.
Earlier this year, The Old Church hosted Breathe – a three-week festival celebrating the element of air, featuring installations, performances and commissions from an array of different artists. During the festival, a group from St Mary’s congregation were able to host an inter-faith discussion event at The Old Church using the unique wind-harp installation to stimulate discussion around the concepts of breath, air and spirit, and their place in each of the different faiths.
Matt Wall, curate of St Mary’s, said: “Our vision and hope
“Our vision and hope is that we might have more opportunities to work with The Old Church to facilitate events such as the inter-faith discussion, but we are keen to give space to what The Old Church is doing, and not necessarily to put a “church-stamp” on all that they do.”
This exciting project is a brilliant example of opening up our church buildings to the local community, and a great display of partnership between the arts and the church. The building remains a consecrated church, and so although The Old Church as an organisation functions without a religious agenda, the building is still used for Matins and All Age services each week, and Evensong each month. The partnership between St Mary’s and The Old Church is a fine opportunity for relationship building between volunteers from St Mary’s, those involved in The Old Church organisation, and the wider community in this part of London who pass through the doors.
As people are welcomed into this old church building, there is a chance for the church to engage in the true setting of the community of Stoke Newington. In an area with an increasing interest in the arts, this project opens up a chance for the church to join in, to take part and to be confident, compassionate and especially creative in being deeper rooted and connected within its local community.
More information can be found by visiting The Old Church and searching for events happening there. If people are interested in volunteering with this exciting creative arts and community project there is an email contact to find out more information.
Photo Credit: Rachel Millward. Performers Michael Ormiston and Candida Valentino