History |

History

Our mission statement is ‘working together to transform communities’. Our reach is local, and via our urban gospel music and arts activities, national and international. We work with young people; adults; the over 50s; local, national and international artists; the unemployed and low-skilled; businesses and other community organisations. All our programmes enable people to learn and develop new skills, build up their confidence, meet new people and access regular events. Liverpool Lighthouse is a hub of activity with courses and events running daily. None of these would be possible without the dedication of our sponsors, partners and staff.

Liverpool Lighthouse was set up by Love and Joy Ministries as the UK’s first dedicated Urban Gospel Music and Arts Centre, with a mission to promote excellence in the genre, to use it as a vehicle to reach those at risk of social exclusion, and to contribute to the transformation of its community and the regeneration of North Liverpool.

The building, a former Gaumont Palace Cinema, was purchased in 1997, and a charitable company known as Community TOP Ltd was registered in 1998 to run it. The building was called the TOP Centre. In 2005 Community TOP Ltd changed its name to Liverpool Lighthouse Ltd, and the building was renamed Liverpool Lighthouse.

At the time of purchase the building was derelict. An extensive £1.5 million refurbishment, phased over five years, transformed the disused spaces in the large art deco building into a fantastic facility, with learning, performance and office spaces, and a Bistro. Funders included the ERDF and the Lancaster Foundation. The centre was formally opened in November 2003 by the Duchess of Gloucester.

History and Heritage of Liverpool Lighthouse building

There is a long and rich history of entertainment relating to the site where Liverpool Lighthouse is situated. Before becoming a Variety Theatre in 1912, the land had been part of a fruit tree plantation, part of housing for Victorian merchants and even home to Vale Training Home and Orphanage at the turn of the century. In 1912, such was the demand for the new French phenomenon of film that King’s Hall Cine Variety Theatre was built. King’s Hall would have projected one-minute film clips as part of a vaudville programme of music, comedy, slapstick routines, juggling and dance.

The people of Liverpool would have been intrigued by this novel medium which showed a single scene of everyday life. Although the films were silent, musicians added dramatic effect with live music. As well as entertainment there was a billiard room and two shops.

Cinema’s popularity grew and so in 1931, at a cost of £50,000 which included the demolition of the former buildings, the new Gaumont Palace Cinema was built. The cinema, which was part of a chain throughout Britian, was decorated in the modern art deco style. Many of these architectural features can still be seen throughout Liverpool Lighthouse. The Gaumont Palace Cinema was the first cinema to show ‘The Titfield Thunderbolt’, Britian’s first Technicolor film.

The cinema continued to entertain until November 1960, when it showed it’s last film. There wasn’t another film screening in the building until ‘Amazing Grace’ was previewed at Liverpool Lighthouse in 2007. Periodic heritage tours take place in the building.