The Avenue Arts Centre

08/07/2026

💡 Did You Know? 💡

In 1900, Windsor Presbyterian Church made a landmark decision that would shape its future.

Until then, worship had been sung without instrumental accompaniment. Following much discussion, the congregation voted to introduce instrumental music into the church and appointed a conductor to lead both the choir and musical worship.

More than 125 years later, music still fills these walls.
Today, that musical tradition continues through The Avenue Arts Centre, home to the The Avenue Arts Academy, inspiring the next generation of performers, and The Avenue Company , our adult performance company.

Where hymns once filled the sanctuary, today’s audiences enjoy theatre, concerts, musicals and live performances.

Different purpose. Same spirit. Honouring the past. Inspiring the future.

06/07/2026

Celebrating Our Heritage

When the doors of Windsor Presbyterian Church first opened in 1887, Rev. J. C. Ferris became the congregation’s first minister in its new home.

His ministry helped establish the church as more than a place of worship. It became a centre of faith, music, learning and community for the people of South Belfast - a legacy that continues to shape this remarkable building today.

Now, as the home of The Avenue Arts Centre, we honour those who laid its foundations while writing a new chapter through creativity, performance and community.

Honouring the past. Inspiring the future.

29/06/2026

✨ WE ARE HIRING ✨

We are looking for a freelance dresser/seamstress!

CVs should be emailed to [email protected]. Closing date: 5th July

28/06/2026

Opened in 1887. Inspiring in 2026.

For almost 140 years, this remarkable building has stood at the heart of South Belfast.

Originally built as Windsor Presbyterian Church, it became a place where people gathered for worship, music, learning and community. Today, those same walls continue to bring people together, this time through creativity, performance, education and the arts.

As the home of The Avenue Arts Centre, we’re proud to honour the building’s rich heritage while creating new memories for future generations.

Different purpose. Same spirit.

16/06/2026

FROM THE PULPIT TO THE STAGE

For generations, music has been woven into the story of this building. As Windsor Presbyterian Church, it echoed with hymns, choirs, organ music and community voices gathered in worship.

Today, that musical tradition continues in a new form.

As the home of the Avenue Arts Centre, the building now inspires a new generation of performers, musicians and creatives through the Avenue Arts Academy and The Avenue Company. From first notes to full productions, from young performers discovering their confidence to adults sharing their passion for the arts, music remains at the heart of this place.

The soundtrack may have changed, but the spirit remains the same — bringing people together, building community and creating memories through music.

From the pulpit to the stage, the tradition continues.

11/06/2026

Celebrating Our Heritage

Hidden in plain sight beneath our feet, this original brass plate bears the name Riddel & Co, Belfast and references Smith's Patent a small but fascinating reminder of the craftsmanship and engineering that helped shape this remarkable building.
While visitors are often drawn to the stained glass windows and architectural features of the former Windsor Presbyterian Church, details like this tell an equally important story. They connect us to the Belfast businesses, skilled tradespeople and makers whose work became part of the fabric of the building.

As we continue to uncover and celebrate the history of The Avenue Arts Centre, discoveries like this help bring the past to life and remind us that every corner of the building has a story to tell.

10/06/2026

This beautiful stained-glass window, located within the Avenue Arts Centre, forms part of the rich heritage of this historic Lisburn Road building.

Created by the renowned Clokey Studios of Belfast, these striking windows combine craftsmanship, storytelling and faith, and have been inspiring visitors to the building for generations.

Today, they remain an important part of the Avenue Arts Centre, connecting the creativity of the present with the history of those who came before us.

10/06/2026

Follow us & join in on the journey!

10/06/2026