The new base of the Diocese of Carlisle – the Church of England in Cumbria – will be officially opened next week.

Church House is relocating from West Walls, in Carlisle, to Friargate, in Penrith. A ceremony will take place next Wednesday afternoon.

Church House staff and guests will be joined by the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, and the Bishop of Penrith, the Rt Rev Robert Freeman.

Bishop James will bless the new building and a ribbon cutting ceremony will take place.

The change follows a decision taken last July by the trustees of the Carlisle Diocesan Board of Finance to move from the diocese’s previous office in Carlisle to Penrith.

The Rev Martin Jayne, chairman of the Carlisle Diocesan Board of Finance, said: “The board greatly appreciates the hard work and effort that has gone into the relocation of the diocese’s central administrative offices.

“Detailed research and inspections of the old Church House in Carlisle had shown there would have had to be significant outlay merely to maintain that building for our purposes.

“I was able to tour the new offices on its first working day and was delighted to see that we have provided a modern, comfortable working environment for our staff.”

He added: “We are talking to Carlisle Cathedral about helping old Church House to continue as a centre of mission in the city. However we have a more accessible hub from which our staff can support the richly varied work of the Church all over Cumbria.”

Work to upgrade the Penrith building – which was already owned by the diocese – began at the start of the year, with the office accommodating all diocesan departments including finance, property, education, HR, communications, the Lancashire and Cumbria Theological Partnership/Cumbria Christian Learning, The Good Shepherd Multi Academy Trust and the God for All Reach team. Invited guests will have the opportunity to tour the new offices next Wednesday.

Carlisle Cathedral is buying the old Church House in West Walls from the diocese.

The former vicarage and Resources Centre – now the home of St George’s United Reform Church – are also part of the parcel.

Church House, in West Walls, had been the diocese’s offices since 1934. Last month it was revealed that talks were “well advanced” between the two entities of the Church of England about a potential sale.