CityLife

Halle to polish their act in Ancoats

St Peter's Church

A NINETEENTH century ‘hidden gem’ church could become second home to the Halle.

The orchestra is in talks about bringing St Peter’s Church, Ancoats, back to life as a rehearsal and small-scale performance space.

The pretty church has been closed since 1960 and has just had a £1.5m restoration.

It is on the recently-developed Cutting Room public square, in the heart of the regeneration of Ancoats.

The church could also house the first-ever dedicated centre for the Manchester orchestra’s award-winning education work – including its youth orchestra and choir.

Halle chief executive John Summers said: “We currently rehearse at five or six venues all over the city and we’ve been looking for some time for one place to focus that.

“St Peter’s Church is a very beautiful and simple space with lots of light and is the perfect size for us.

“It will take us some time to put together a proposal. This is the inspirational plan and I’m feeling quite confident but we’ve got a long way to go.”

'Lasting relationship'

The orchestra has already had a test rehearsal in the church and is now working on a feasibility plan to raise the money to take it over.

The church was built in 1859 – one year after the orchestra was set up – and was the first Anglican church in the predominately Catholic ‘Little Italy’ neighbourhood.

It closed in 1960 and was deconsecrated in 1968.

The building was listed in 1989 and work to save the bell tower was followed by a full restoration, thanks to funding from Heritage Lottery Fund and the North West Regional Development Agency which owns the site.

Eddie Smith, chief executive of regeneration body New East Manchester, said the plan for the church would help form a ‘lasting relationship’ between the Bridgewater Hall-based orchestra and the area’s revival.

He said: “It is still early days but we can confirm we are in discussions with the Halle.

“We’re currently exploring the viability of the orchestra making the building their permanent rehearsal and education outreach base.

“If we can make it work, it would bring about a unique partnership, providing a modern cultural facility that will breathe new life into this historic building.”