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From a busy Pencil Factory to a Hub of Spiritual Refreshment

[/ultimate_heading]Prior to 1832, pencil-making was a cottage industry in Cumbria. In 1832, the UK’s first pencil factory was built in Keswick. In 1916, the Cumberland Pencil Company was set up, and a factory began to be constructed on the current site.

The current building was completed in 1937, and fell into disuse and was sold when the company moved to new premises in Workington in 2008. The building marks the entrance to the town and its art-deco façade and lettering has become part and parcel of the local landscape.Keswick Ministries acquired the site in 2015, completing the purchase in 2017, and will refurbish the building to provide venues and facilities for Convention visitors and volunteers – as well as conference space that will attract visitors to Keswick outside of the summer tourist season. Refurbishment work is due to begin on the building this September, with a final completion date of June 2021.

“The Home of Cumberland Pencils” will continue to be an iconic building and a local landmark for Keswick and, once refurbished, a source of pride and great benefit to businesses and residents of the town as it attracts visitors to conferences and other events,” said David Sawday, Chief Operating Officer for Keswick Ministries.Keswick Ministries also owns the site of the Pencil Museum which celebrates Keswick’s long association with pencils and is and will continue to be a key visitor attraction.

While the Cumberland Pencil Company was set up in 1832, a factory was first established on the Keswick site in 1916. The current Art Deco building was completed in 1937. The building fell into disuse and was sold when the company moved to new premises in Workington in 2008.We currently hold our annual Convention on two sites in Keswick. The development of the Pencil Factory site in Keswick provides the opportunity to integrate our activities in one place.

Existing warehouse buildings will be demolished to provide space for the main convention marque. Meanwhile the iconic art deco pencil factory building is to be refurbished to provide conference space.During the Convention it will be used for meeting space for a variety of Children, youth activity and seminars. At other times of the year the new integrated site will allow us to:

• Expand our teaching and training programmes at other times of the year.
• Host our children’s and young people’s work, work for those with disabilities and missions exhibition alongside our adult programme.
• Offer training for youth workers, preachers, leaders, pastors and mission workers
• Encourage and resource local churches in Cumbria and the North.
• Provide a facility and accommodation for visiting church groups and church holidays
• Provide a venue for businesses and organisations looking for a local conference and meeting space

[ultimate_spacer height=”10″]Visit our Vision and Future Story page to learn more about what we are planning on achieving and please help support his vision by making a donation.[ultimate_spacer height=”10″]