http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=487167&imageindex=0
Let there be light – fellowship prepares to re-open windows
Published on 13/04/2007
Jehovah’s Witnesses, who previously owned the city’s Charlotte Street building, blocked up 39 ground floor windows because they were being repeatedly smashed.
The Christians want to let light into their place of worship again. They also plan to unveil two original stained glass windows on the top floor of the three-storey building, which dates back to 1860.
Trustee John Thomlinson, one of the Carlisle Christian Fellowship (CCF) elders, said: “I’m not sure when we’ll expose the stained glass but it won’t be before we’ve protected them.
“It’s like a game with these youngsters, you’ve got to be a step ahead. We might just do one ground floor window to start off with to see how it goes.
“We want to open them up because it’s like a cellar. We’ve got lights of course, but it will be more cheery with daylight.”
The 130-strong CCF congregation meet every Sunday at 10.30am on the first floor.
Mr Thomlinson said they were taking a cautious approach with the grade II listed building. “There is the possibility that it could happen again, but you can get a glass today that is almost unbreakable. We hope it will be strong enough to resist any brick. It is pointless glazing a public building with ordinary glass these days.”
The plan is to use polycarbonate, which the material of choice for many replacement bus shelters.
The CCF bought the building for £120,000 in 2000. The Jehovah’s Witnesses, who had been there since 1978, built a new Kingdom Hall all on one level on Durranhill Road.
Local representative Derek House said: “The building was empty for 10 years before we moved in.
“We had a legal covenant to protect it.”
Regarding the stained glass windows, he said: “It’s good to share artwork with people who appreciate them.”
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