Arts and Literature

1911:  One of the oldest buildings in Hulme, it was built as a congregational Church for Zion Institute – an educational organisation whose principles were based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

1960s:  Congregations shrank to 20 and Church authorities were forced to rent out the building to other organisations. The Hallé Orchestra and  Choir arrived, followed by Northern Ballet Theatre in 1969.  Both organisations stayed for a number of years.

At around this time, Pavarotti rehearsed at Zion ahead of a Manchester concert with Hallé.

1988: ownership of the building was transferred to Manchester City Council, who  agreed to pass over a 125 year lease to a new, independent company which will manage Zion.

1980:  Zion features as a location in Warren Beatty's film 'Reds,' doubling up as the steps of a courthouse in Chicago. The film told the true story of John Reed, a radical American journalist who left the USA to go to Russia in time for the 1917 Russian  Revolution. Producers advertised for extras in the Moss Side Job Centre.

2000: Zion Arts Centre opens its doors, providing arts-based cultural activities to young people in Hulme, Moss Side and Whalley Range.

2000: Launch season at Zion Arts Centre included Soul to Soul, Jazzy Jeff and Felix Dexter; Damien Hirst and his pickled shark came to Zion Arts Centre’s gallery; Courtney Pine and Nitin Sawhney ran a workshop at Zion Arts Centre

Benji Reid devised his ‘Life of a B-boy’ at Zion Arts Centre. This went on to national acclaim and performed at the National Theatre.

Michael Winterbottom used the venue as he collected research for a film project

2005:  X Trax Festival takes place at Zion Arts Centre. Hip hop artist Ty and the singers from Basement Jaxx perform.

More recent celebrities include Lenny Henry hosting an event at Zion Arts Centre and  Jonny Vegas rehearsing here

2007:  Zion bids for People's Millions money to upgrade studio and theatre facilities.

Zion today

Used mainly by people from Hulme, Moss Side and Whalley Range, youngsters can rent rooms for £1 to set up theatre groups, promote events, dance or simply to meet up with their friends. 

Home to the Zion Ensemble Project, run by the Greater Manchester Music Action Zone (GMMAZ), Community Arts North West also run projects at the Centre.