Community launches crowdfunding campaign to turn historic building into community theatre
An empty church could be given a new lease of life
The Woodhouse and District Community Forum, in partnership with Darnall Musical Theatre Company, has launched a major crowdfunding campaign to help save the former Woodhouse Trinity Methodist Church and transform it into a vibrant new Community Theatre, Arts, Events & Social Space for the people of Woodhouse and the wider Sheffield community.
The ambitious community-led project aims to breathe new life into the historic building, which has stood empty for nearly 15 years, restoring it into a thriving venue filled with creativity, entertainment, community activities, social groups, and opportunities for people of all ages.
Project organisers have now successfully agreed a purchase price of £125,000 for the building.
In a major boost to the campaign, the current owner has pledged £25,000 back into the project as a charitable donation, reducing the immediate fundraising target and demonstrating strong support for the building’s future community use.
To complete stage one of the project, organisers are now aiming to raise the remaining £100,000 needed to secure the purchase of the building and begin the first phase of planning, restoration, and heritage development work.
The crowdfunding campaign is now live via Crowdfunder – Woodhouse Community Theatre Project.
The vision for the project is to create a welcoming and accessible community venue that can host:
Community theatre productions and live performances
Youth theatre and creative workshops
Community activities and social groups
Coffee mornings, support sessions, and wellbeing projects
Family events and affordable entertainment
Classes, exhibitions, and cultural activities
Volunteer opportunities and skills development
Project organisers say the future venue has the potential to become a lasting home for arts, culture, wellbeing, and community connection in Woodhouse for generations to come.
Rather than allowing another important community building to continue standing empty, the project aims to preserve the church’s heritage and character while adapting it into a sustainable and flexible modern community space.
The redevelopment will be delivered over a number of years in carefully planned stages, with funding secured through crowdfunding, grants, fundraising campaigns, sponsorship, match funding opportunities, and wider community support.
The immediate goal of the campaign is to raise £100,000 to:
Purchase the former church building
Secure its future for community use
Begin heritage and planning consultations
Develop restoration and theatre proposals
Prepare the building for future activities, productions, and events
Supporters are being encouraged to donate, share the campaign, and help spread the word across the community.
Organisers say every contribution — no matter how big or small — will help move the project one step closer to reality.
Jack Taylor from the Woodhouse and District Community Forum said: “This project is about far more than simply purchasing a building. It’s about creating a lasting home for our community — somewhere people can come together to enjoy theatre, arts, activities, friendship, and support.
“After standing empty for nearly 15 years, we now have an incredible opportunity to bring this beautiful building back to life and preserve it for future generations.
“We’re incredibly grateful that the current owner believes in the vision of this project and has pledged £25,000 back into the project as a charitable donation. That generosity has given us a huge boost and means the community now has the opportunity to help us raise the remaining £100,000 needed to secure the building.
“We know this is an ambitious challenge, but with the support of the community and people who believe in protecting spaces like this, we truly believe we can make it happen.”
“The campaign team hopes the future venue will become a major community asset for Woodhouse — supporting local groups, reducing social isolation, encouraging creativity, and creating new opportunities for residents of all ages.
“Community members, businesses, supporters, and former users of the building are now being invited to become part of the building’s next chapter by supporting the crowdfunding campaign.”
To support the campaign or find out more, visit: