A single-storey stone-built church building constructed around 1870 has been transformed into a new mosque following major renovations after decades of being left unused.
The new Masjid-e-Taqwa in Pleckgate Road hosted the first prayer this week in the building that was home to St Chad’s Church.
“We tried to keep to the original features of the building and attempted to incorporate these into the new design,” a spokesperson for the mosque said, Lancashire Telegraph reported.
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“Most notably inside the prayer hall the wooden beams make the up the most defining feature.
“This has been complimented by anyone who has visited the mosque both Muslim and non-Muslim.
“The doorways and archways are also something that help to give the mosque its own unique character.
“We invited people who live in the area to see for themselves the transformation and we were delighted to hear their comments.”
Back to Life
The new mosque holds 180 worshippers and includes prayer space over two floors and an area to complete the ablution (Wudu).
Outside the mosque, a new car park, lighting and landscaping features have brought the building back to life.
“This is a really high-quality building now and they have really improved this from what it was,” a local resident, Brian, who visited the mosque said.
“It is beautiful. I have never seen anything like it.”
Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council Cllr Phil Riley visited the mosque recently, praising the impressive renovation of the mosque.
“What a wonderful building it is and what a tribute to the efforts everybody has put in,” he said.
“This was a semi-derelict building for a period of time and it is now an absolutely beautiful building. The work has been done to such a high level. It really is an impressive addition to the local community.”