The Church
The History of The Eddington
The Eddington is a grade 2 listed building and in its previous life was the United Reformed Church originally built as the Zion Congregational Chapel in 1898 to replace an earlier, adjacent chapel of 1844. Designed by local architect, Stephen Shaw, the foundation stone was laid on 10 September by Miss Whitwell and Mrs W H Somervell (mother of the great Everest mountaineer Howard Somervell).
The church provided a large gathering space with seating for 389 people on the ground floor and 268 in the galleries. The organ was installed in 1936 as a memorial to William Henry Somervell (1860-1934).
A New Chapter
The church was bought in 2022 by Bruce Withington via his business FVC Ltd, with the intention of preserving the church and the sports hall as a community asset for the community of Kendal.
Prior to this, during 2020, Kendal Town Council (KTC) were the first to conduct a process for a Citizens Climate Jury which agreed 27 recommendations to answer the question ‘what should Kendal do about climate change?’ One of those recommendations was to develop a ‘one-stop shop’ for climate action. The change of ownership of the church provided Kendal with a unique and rare opportunity to provide a community space for education, inspiration as well as practical help and support to increase wellbeing and resilience.
A Community Partnership
A partnership was established between FVC Ltd, Kendal Town Council and South Lakes Action on Climate Change who had been looking for a space for their expanding Waste into Wellbeing programme (and now occupy the refurbished sports hall). The Eddington Kendal Community Interest Company was established with the aim of providing the management function for the whole venue, developing activities and events and working with FVC Ltd to upgrade and maintain the buildings and garden.
2026 and beyond
Regular activities and events in the church include a young peoples’ music space project, jam nights, peace film nights and monthly adventure club as well as being the home to the Cyclery.
A weekly creative group are busy making beautiful pewmats for the benches on Tuesdays, and there is increasing demand to bring music and community events.
Keep an eye on our What On page or enquire about hiring the church.