Lending a hand to one of Liverpool’s well-known arts venues, singer/songwriter Sir Paul McCartney has announced his support towards famed concert hall, St. Luke’s Church. This news comes just a couple months after a crowdfunding campaign supporting the historic building hit CrowdfunderUK.
As previously reported, the residents of Liverpool launched a crowdfunding campaign on CrowdfunderUk earlier this summer to protect St. Luke’s, which is also known as the “Bombed Out Church.” The project originally sought out 18,000 to provide a sustainable income towards the protection of the venue – preventing it from being sold for development.
This is not the first time that the residents of Liverpool have rallied together to ensure the future status of the much-loved community space with 30,000 people previously signing a petition to stop the church from being purchased by developers earlier this year. The community is being asked to pledge funds in return for innovative rewards such as bespoke “Bombed Out Church” plaques, access to the unique meeting spaces, and invites to the launch party. At its closing on August 21, the crowdfunding campaign hit over 20,000.
Earlier this week, McCartney wrote on his official website, “The people of Liverpool should do everything possible to keep this venue open for the use of the people and run by the people. It is a place that is regularly staffed by students from LIPA and everyday people of all ages, religions and backgrounds. It would be a terrible shame if we lost this cultural icon.”
Excited to share the news about McCartney’s support, St. Luke’s curator, Ambrose Reynolds noted, “[It] means the world for us to have the support of this international legend.”
He then added, The tremendous support we have received from the public means that we can continue to open the city center ruined church for music, theater, art exhibitions and outdoor movie screenings.”
St. Luke is a former Anglican Parish Church that was built in 1832 and was left in ruins after the Liverpool Blitz in 1941. The church was then turned into a concert hall.
Since the site reopened in May 2014 The Bombed Out Church has received overwhelming support form the local community as well as hosting a diverse set of events including hosting musical performances as well as immersive physical theatre, the annual Blitz Exhibition, Tai Chi, Qi Gong Meditation, Yoga and art installations.
McCartney joins Yoko Ono, the wife of his former bandmate John Lennon, in supporting the cause.
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