Episode 1 — The Story of the Old Church (with William Colvin)

In the very first episode of Live from the Old Church, host Steve Byrne sits down with William Colvin, Chair of Cushendun Building Preservation Trust, to tell the story behind the building — and the people who refused to let it fade away.Recorded inside the Old Church Centre itself, this episode traces the journey from deconsecration and uncertainty to full restoration and reinvention as a vibrant arts, heritage, and community space at the heart of the Glens. William reflects on how he became involved nearly two decades ago, the challenges of securing funding, restoring a historic building, and keeping it sustainable for the future.The conversation also touches on what makes the Centre work today: volunteers, community buy-in, music and cultural events, younger voices stepping forward, and the reality of running a charity where passion often has to stretch further than the budget.This episode is part history lesson, part personal story, and part honest look at what it really takes to keep a rural community space alive. A fitting place to start.www.theoldchurchcentre.com