The 101 Project | A Home for Good
The 101 Project
101 Donegall St ∙ A Home for Good
The 101 Project | A Home for Good
The 101 Project
101 Donegall St ∙ A Home for Good
101 Donegall Street is more than a building — it is a 220-year story of faith, justice & compassion; a beautiful home for our church and a welcoming space for our city.
Since 1804 — nestled right in the heart of a changing Belfast — the beautiful, historic church building at 101 Donegall Street has been a place of rich heritage, social engagement and vibrant community.
In 2012 we at Redeemer Central were given the privilege of calling ‘101’ our home. Now we have a dream to make it a home for good.
A Home for Good
Beginning in 2026, The 101 Project proposal would see us take stewardship of 101 Donegall Street and undertake an extensive yet sensitive renovation. Our dream is to see this place’s rich heritage celebrated while thoughtfully shaping it as a building for the future — restoring it as a home for our church, a thriving community hub for organisations doing good work, and a beautiful arts venue for our city to use and enjoy.
“A place of welcome where people know they matter and belong — a vibrant harmony of different communities, cultures and faiths supporting one another and the wider city.”
This project will allow 101 to become a place for all kinds of activity. Here are some of the things we hope to see:
Church Community
A diverse, vibrant church in the heart of Belfast, practicing the way of Jesus through simple, intentional, and inclusive community and seeking the peace and common good of our city.
Compassion Ministry
Our Compassion Ministry brings the heart of Jesus into action, creating spaces where everyone is welcomed and cared for. Through initiatives like The Long Table—a free weekly community meal—along with our Friday lunch club and pantry, we provide nourishing food and practical support for those experiencing homelessness or financial hardship. These programs foster connection, kindness, and a sense of belonging, ensuring that everyone in our community knows they have a place at the table.
Community Hub
A safe, welcoming space for local organistions and to host programs that aim to help people on the margins of society
Venue for Hire
A vibrant and historic city centre venue which lends itself to a wide range of events. Conferences, training days, forums, music performances and exhibitions to name but a few.
Heritage
A place to celebrate the heritage and history of 101 Donegall St, particularly honouring the legacy of the congregational church who were a faithful presence in this part of the city for over 220 years!
Outside Greenspace
An outdoor green space in our courtyard—a peaceful, welcoming area where people can gather, rest, and connect. With thoughtful landscaping and seating, it will serve as a natural extension of our community life. Designed for all ages, this space will foster conversation, creativity, and quiet reflection, creating a place where relationships can grow and our community can flourish together.
Not-for-Profit Cafe
A welcoming not-for-profit café at the heart of our community space—a place where great coffee and genuine connection meet. More than just a café, it will be a hub of hospitality, offering affordable, high-quality drinks and light meals in a warm, inclusive environment. Every purchase will help support local programs and outreach, making it a space where community, generosity, and belonging can truly flourish.
Prayer Space
A quiet space in the building for prayer and reflection, open to all.
The 101 Project | The Renovation Plan
The Renovation Plan
The 101 Project | The Renovation Plan
The Renovation Plan
Works
We want to begin with a moment of practical honesty. The building we love at 101 Donegall Street now requires significant restoration. Over the past three years, we have invested more than £100,000 in thoughtful, creative, volunteer-led improvements including our brand new kitchen. However, the extensive refurbishment required next will require professional attention.
In partnership with Consarc Designs—who completed a comprehensive conservation survey in Summer 2025—we now have a detailed understanding of the building’s condition and a clear, phased plan for its repair and renewal. The complete renovation will likely have several phases with Phase 1 being the most substantial.
Phase 1 (2026-28)
Phase 1 will include essential external, mechanical, electrical, and interior upgrades. We believe this is a realistic and carefully considered plan that prioritises a sensitive restoration over creating something shiny and new for the sake of it. Our aim is to make the venue fit-for-purpose so it can continue to serve the people of Belfast, particularly those most in need.
phase 1 breakdown
Purchase & Planning (£120-150k)
∙ Solicitor fees
∙ Planning inc. architectural plan, feasibility studies and surveys
∙ Scaffolding
∙ Management (site, regs, welfare, safety)
External Structure (£350-450k)
∙ Repair of walls
∙ Rendering
∙ Pitched roof repairs
∙ Flat roof replacements
∙ New guttering
∙ Bird defences
Mechanical Services (£150-200k)
∙ New heating system
∙ Plumbing upgrades
∙ New toilets inc. disabled facilities
∙ Lift, ramps and accessibility
Electrical Services (£100-150k)
∙ Main switchboard & sub-distribution boards
∙ Distribution and wiring
∙ Lighting upgrades
∙ AV upgrades
Funding
The 101 Project is Redeemer Central’s first-ever capital campaign. Our goal is to raise between £720-£920k over three years to fund Phase 1 of works that will cover renovation, essential improvements, and associated project costs. We are planning for Phase 1 to be funded from a mix of:
Donations
Grants from funding bodies
Lending (if required)
Our hope is this first phase of work will begin in 2026 and take 3 years to complete, ending in 2028.
Donations
We aim to raise £100k ourselves from the Redeemer Central community and friends and frequenters of 101 who might want to support the project. We welcome one-off gifts but we hope the majority of this fundraising will be one via pledging — people making a commitment of a regular, monthly donation over a set period of time. Read below to find out more about pledging and how you might participate.
Grants
We aim to raise £590k through grants, and ownership of 101 will unlock access to larger funding opportunities. As a heritage building, it also opens doors to grants specifically aimed at restoring older properties. In recent years, we have become increasingly skilled at leveraging grants and building strong relationships with funding partners, enabling us to support community projects and invest in improvements to the building itself.
Lending
We may secure a bank loan in the region of £230k to help fund our capital project. This is a common practice for churches and charities, and as a board, we will carefully consider it in our second year depending on how donations and grants progress. Any decision would be made prudently, ensuring the loan supports the project and community work without becoming an anchor or burden to our finances.
Pledging
Our goal is to raise £100,000 ourselves over the course of 3 years.
One-off and random donations are really welcome we believe regular monthly donations are the best way of reaching our goal together in a sustainable, reasonably predictable manner than spreads out the costs.
We are calling this commitment of regular monthly donations pledging and invite you to prayerfully consider if you might pledge to this project.
What is Pledging?
Pledging is a way of committing in advance to support The 101 Project over a set period of time.
A Pledge is a considered commitment to give a certain amount regularly (i.e. monthly) over a set period of time.
Pledging is a promise, but it is not a contract.
For those who call Redeemer Central home, we ask that pledging is considered above and beyond normal giving. If you do not currently give regularly to our general fund, we would ask you to consider this first before making a pledge to The 101 Project.
Pledging is not the only way to give; one-off gifts are welcome and deeply appreciated.
Pledging helps us plan wisely, apply for grants with confidence, and move forward together.
Can you pledge?
We believe we can reach our goal of £100,000 through 3 years of pledging. However, we recognise it is not always possible for people to make a 3-year commitment. To help, we are breaking it down to an annual commitment.
Can you commit to a regular monthly donation for 12 months?
Beginning February 2026, we are inviting supporters to pledge a monthly donation for 12 months. At the beginning of year 2 and year 3 we will have an annual re-commitment period to allow individuals time to review their pledge and re-commit for a further year should they desire.
This table here illustrates the power of pledging and is a helpful guide as you consider how much you can contribute.
Example: If 40 households were to give £69 per month for the next 3 years we would reach our target of £100,000.
You can make your intended pledge by completing the form below:
Intended Pledge Form
Prayer
Abundant God,
Everything we have is a gift from you.
As we prayerfully consider our response, give us courage and clarity.
Show us what you are inviting us to offer — not from pressure or obligation, but from relationship and love.
May every gift given help cultivate sacred encounters in this place for generations to come.
And through our generosity, grow in us deeper trust, greater purpose, and true freedom.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Discerning Together
Discerning Together
Discerning Together
Discerning Together
Discerning Together
As a church family, we believe important decisions are best made through prayerful discernment together. Our Leadership continue to seek God’s wisdom on the potential purchase of 101 Donegall St, and we formally opened a period of community discernment in December, allowing time for prayer, conversation, information sharing and questions to be submitted. Our hope with this period was that we as leaders understand where the whole Redeemer Central community stands on the 101 Project proposal so that any decision made is one made together.
The Timeline
Proposal
April 2025 | Conservation Survey completed by Consarc
May 2025 | Verbal agreement with current owners
Sept-Dec | Solicitors engaged
Discernment
07 Dec 2025 | Story Sunday: The Story of 101
14 Jan 2026 | Midweek Gathering: Community Prayer Night
18 Jan 2026 | Sunday Gathering: Prayer Morning
21 Jan 2026 | Midweek Gathering: Community Meeting / Poll Open
28 Jan 2026 | Poll Closed
01 Feb 2026 | Sunday Gathering: The 101 Project Update & Pledging Stage
08 Feb 2026 | ‘Invitation to Pledging’ Announced
12-17 Feb 2026 | South Bend Trip inc. Building Project Learning
22 Feb 2026 | Pledging Website Open
07 Mar 2026 | Pledging Deadline
Mid-March 2026 | Decision taken by SLT & Board
Community Poll
One aspect of our Discerning Together process was designing a poll to allow individuals an opportunity to share where they stand, the reasons for this and any concerns they have about the proposal. The poll was not a binding vote, but was a simple way for our Leaders & Board to gauge the levels of support for this project within the Redeemer community. It helped us also hear what questions or concerns there may be about the project and give opportunity to consider what may need further work or prayer.
More on the Community Poll
The poll was not a vote, but a data point in our Discerning Together Process to understand the levels of support for the proposal.
We encouraged all who calls Redeemer home to take the poll, pray before responding and to answer honestly.
The poll could be taken anonymously if desired.
Results
Firstly a big thank you to all who participated in the poll. 60 people from 38 households submitted a response and the results were as follows:
97% voted in favour of Redeemer taking ownership of 101
93% voted they would intend to pledge a regular financial contribution
What this means?
This response revealed an amazing sense of support within our community for this project. Alongside this, it also highlighted areas we would need to pay attention to including the impact that such a project may have on our staff team and on the health of general church life.
Recordings and Updates of previous meetings
Coming Soon
The 101 Project | Support
Support
Words of support from the wider community
The 101 Project | Support
Support
Words of support from the wider community
Endorsements from Partners
“Redeemer central is an integral part of Belfast’s most dynamic and young neighbourhood with whom St Patrick’s enjoys a warm and growing relationship. Straddling the Cathedral Quarter and Ulster University New Campus, Redeemer is a bridge between communities and a haven of spiritual and human values amidst the hustle of the city. St Patrick’s has worked closely with Redeemer on projects as diverse as arts outreach and cultural heritage. We are particularly proud to have been invited to share in Redeemer’s outreach to the homeless and lonely, The Long Table. I am honoured to support Redeemer in their creative, innovative and faith-filled initiatives which are an inspiration to me and my parish community”
“Belfast City Centre Chaplaincy is an extension of the local Church, reaching out into the City Centre making Jesus and His kingdom tangible to those with no connection to Church. As Lead Chaplain, I have been profoundly encouraged by Redeemer Central, who are a truly a welcoming ‘koinonia’ (Christian community). The reality and effectiveness of the Redeemer Central community is evidenced in the diversity of its members and in its ministries, such as ‘The Long Table’ and ‘Lesser Heard’. Redeemer Central is a blessing from God in our City.”
“As Dean of Belfast, and Belfast’s Black Santa, I have been proud to support the ministry of our close neighbours at Redeemer Central, with a substantial grant from the 2024 Black Santa Appeal towards their really important work done through the “Long Table” project. The needs of those caught in the homelessness crisis in the city of Belfast require responses which are imaginative and compassionate. It is my hope that the community of Redeemer Central will be able to continue this vital work operating out of their current location at 101 Donegall Street, and will be able to expand their practical care to the people of the Cathedral Quarter area and the wider area of North Belfast”
“Redeemer Central is a strong vibrant organisation that is well governed and well managed. It truly delivers on its mission and works to improves the lives of many people within society who others chose to forget or ignore. It has played an important role in the development and life of the North Belfast Heritage Cluster (NBHC) and I, as Chair, am delighted to have Redeemer Central as part of the team!”
“As a member of Belfast City Council Shared Partnership I recently reached out to Redeemer Central and had a very good experience of the church hosting a consultation event for Belfast Stories. The church was very obliging and supportive, creating a warm and welcoming environment for council officers and guests. I am also aware and grateful for the community meal on Friday evening which Redeemer hosts which is open to everyone.”
“Redeemer Central’s approach and commitment to governance provides an exemplar to other voluntary organisations and is driven by their core values”
“Ulster University and Redeemer Central are neighbours and partners in North Belfast, with a common interest in supporting North Belfast to flourish. Redeemer Central have approached this task with enthusiasm, passion, and commitment from their base in Donegall Street for several years now, making a marked and distinctive contribution to the life of the community. We look forward to continuing to find ways to work together for the good of this area.”
“Redeemer Central has been an important member of the North Belfast Heritage Cluster for several years. Their curiosity and appreciation for the history of the Congregational Church has ensured that over 200 years’ worth of history has remained accessible to a wide audience.”
What does 101 mean to you?
Share your stories
We would love to hear from you! Take a few moments to share your love or experience of 101 Donegall St. What difference has 101 made to you, the community and the people of Belfast? What does Redeemer Central mean to you and your journey of faith?
The History of 101
The History of 101
220 years of Faith, Presence & Resilience
The History of 101
The History of 101
220 years of Faith, Presence & Resilience
The History of 101 Donegall Street
For over 220 years, since 1804, this has been a church where a community have gathered to worship and bless the local community.
Buildings have come and gone — from The Tabernacle in 1804, through the Brown designed church in 1860, the alterations in 1900 as the church grew and grew through the ministry of John White to the John Deeds designed church of 1934 and the rose window in 1955 post blitz.
This heart of the people that served and were a part of the community can also be found in the open-mindedness of the men and women here to invite a black slave turned abolitionist here to share their story and advocate against oppression and slavery and for the freedom of every man. On 5 December 1845, by invitation of the church, Frederick Douglass gave a lecture in this very building during a time when slavery continued to be practiced extensively across the world, not least by many Christian slaveowners.
There is a legacy in this place to give a voice to the voiceless. Through fires, wars, the Blitz, and the shifting story of Belfast, 101 Donegall St continued. As Rev. A. Cairns declared in his address in 1933, “a sacred light kept burning in the heart of the city.” We want to see this legacy continue.
“a sacred light kept burning in the heart of the city.”
The Story of 101 Donegall St (video)
Resilience, PERSEVERANCE & Faith
You can find out more about the story of 101 Donegall St in a short video below entitled Resilience, Perseverance & Faith.
This was produced in partnership with the North Belfast Heritage Cluster and with special thanks to James Cromey, Archive & Project Co-ordinator.