Funding boost for Open Door Baptist Church

Horse Carrs in Shawclough

The Open Door Baptist Church at Horse Carrs in Shawclough has received a £45,000 funding boost to re-roof the building.

Horse Carrs was built in 1865 as the family home of Thomas Watson, a silk manufacturer and benefactor to the town of Rochdale. Open Door, which resides within Horse Carrs, was the first Baptist Church in Rochdale, then known as West Street Baptist Church.

The generous donation comes from the Suez Communities Trust and will allow the deteriorated roof, which has been letting in water, to be repaired.

Horse Carrs will be re-roofed, with existing rooflights replaced or repaired, as well as benefitting from additional insulation to also weatherproof the 19th century building.

Horse Carrs was well used by the community prior to lockdown and without this vital work, could be lost as a community asset.

A representative from Open Door said: “We are delighted to receive this generous grant from Suez Communities Trust.

“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: “We were delighted to be able to offer funding to Open Door Baptist Church.”