Churches across the Diocese of Leeds are gearing up to open their doors to visitors over two special weekends in September.
Heritage Open Days on September 8/9 and 15/16 form part of England's largest festival of history and culture, bringing together over 2,500 organisations, 5,000 events and 40,000 volunteers. Every year for four days in September, churches, stately homes, country houses, museums gardens and places of interest across the country throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history.
More than 70 churches in the Anglican Diocese of Leeds have registered to take part on the official Heritage Open Days website. (See the list here /video-diarycontent/heritage-open-days)
As well as a rich architectural history many are offering attractions from bell tower tours to choir concerts, and from organ recitals to the showing of films.
Diocesan Buildings for Mission Officer, Sue Booth says that it is very encouraging that so many churches have registered to take part but hopes that more will get involved.
“I like to think of churches as the receptacles of the collective memories of their community”, says Sue. “When you consider the life events that have gone on within the walls of a parish church it’s extraordinary to think that people’s histories are wrapped up in the fabric of our churches.
“I think it is very important that churches open their doors. Churches offer a place of sanctuary to people in their busy day-to-day lives. They offer an opportunity to step out of the world and into a place of quiet and calm – and churches are also communities offering hospitality and welcome.”
Although the date has now passed to register on the official Heritage Open Days website, other churches can still open their doors to take part at any time during the two Heritage weekends, especially with so much emphasis on visiting churches.
“I would advise all churches to open their doors if they possibly can,” says Sue.
“Even if it’s only for a short event in the morning where they serve tea and coffee for an hour, it’s an opportunity to begin a conversation with people who might never otherwise come into your church and it’s a ministry of welcome to church visitors.”
More information on the Heritage Open Days website here