![\"Methodist](\"http:\/\/www.heritageandhistory.com\/contents1a\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/methodist_church_gal4.jpg\" "\\"Methodist")
<\/a>The former Methodist Church<\/a> occupies a prominent position on Fisher Street, very close to the Market Hall.<\/p>\n It is an imposing red sandstone building with crisp classical detailing.<\/p>\n Retained within the building are some very attractive decorative plasterwork interiors.<\/p>\n The building, recently listed Grade II, reflects the importance of Nonconformist worship<\/a> within Carlisle in the early 20th century.<\/p>\n The church was designed by Brocklehurst and Hornabrook and largely funded, \u00a310,000, \u00a0by the millionaire philanthropist<\/a>, Joseph Rank<\/a> (of Hovis bread fame).<\/p>\n The remainder of the money was raised by the first minister of the church, the Revd Bramwell Evans, who later became a national icon as the voice of BBC Radio\u2019s \u2018Romany<\/a>\u2019 \u2013 the children\u2019s nature programme that inspired the likes of David Attenborough and David Bellamy.<\/p>\n Well connected architects<\/strong><\/p>\n Arthur Brocklehurst was an\u00a0Interwar architect based in Manchester.<\/p>\n One of Brocklehurst\u2019s partners was Alan W. Hornabrook, whose father the Revd John Hornabrook<\/a> (1848-1937)\u00a0was President of the Methodist Conference and Chairman of the Wesleyan Chapel Committee.<\/p>\n Brocklehurst designed a number of chapels and central halls for the Methodist Church.<\/p>\n Some reports indicate that the Hall is built on the site of a former Roman house and incorporates an 1800 year old well.<\/p>\n John Wesley, founder of Methodism, preached in the Fisher Street Chapel in 1788 and 1790. The chapel was not this building but a chapel further down the road.<\/p>\n Inside<\/a> the main building is a large auditorium with balcony and is\u00a0suitable for seating around 500 people.<\/p>\n It is thought that whilst the building was occupied by the Methodists, staff \u00a0kept a box of real Roman sandals in the office cupboard! These sandals were found on the site during excavation works.<\/p>\n Other ancient relics were also discovered these are in the care of the local Tullie House museum.<\/p>\n Adjacent to the hall is a three bedroom flat, also part of the complex.<\/p>\n Up for sale<\/strong><\/p>\n The whole building is available for sale or rent via\u00a0Hyde Harrington<\/a> in Carlisle. Current details, as of May 2010, indicate the Terms to be <\/span>\u00a3400,000\/\u00a335,000pa.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>