Secrets hidden amongst the pews and stained glass in most of the churches across Huddersfield and the Colne Valley will be revealed next weekend in an exciting treasure hunt - a unique community project that will take visitors on a journey of discovery across the Huddersfield Deanery.
On Saturday 5th September 14 out of the 16 churches that make up this deanery will open their doors, providing one or two clues in each for the treasure hunt while showing visitors how they help the local community, uniting members of the lay and clergy by inspiring each other and hoping it will be the start of a closer working relationship between the churches across the deanery.
Matthew Ambler, Lay Chairman of the Huddersfield Deanery, said, “This is an opportunity for people to visit their local Anglican church, find out what it is doing in the local community and take part in a fun treasure hunt”.
The clues will take the treasure hunters on a journey to explore the churches’ hidden treasures and discover more about the history and how the churches serve their communities in the deanery.
First prize will go to the person who visits the most churches and answers most of the clues correctly, winning £40 in vouchers with the second prize earning £20 in vouchers. Winners will be able to choose from Theatre vouchers, Odeon Cinema vouchers or House of Fraser vouchers.
Not only will the treasure hunt captivate those attending, but the open days will also show how the churches contribute to the local community - from lunch clubs to pantomimes to bereavement clubs - will showcase each church’s facilities and will provide other activities such as refreshments and running fair trade stalls.
The Archdeacon of Halifax,The Ven Dr Anne Dawtry, said, "This is an exciting opportunity and a fun way to introduce the treasures and facilities of many of the churches in Huddersfield to members of their local community some of whom may not have visited before."
The churches will open between 10:00 and 16:00, and the churches involved are St Bartholomew’s, Marsden; St James’, Slaithwaite; St John the Evangelist, Golcar (only open from 10:00 until 12:00); Christ Church, Linthwaite; St Mark’s, Longwood (only open from 10:00 until 13:00); St Barnabas’, Crosland Moor; St Stephen’s, Lindley (only open from 10:00 until 12:15); St Philip’s, Birchencliffe; St Cuthbert’s, Birkby; St John the Evangelist, Birkby; Holy Trinity, Huddersfield; St Peter’s, Huddersfield; Christ Church, Woodhouse; and St Thomas', Longroyd Bridge.
For more information, see the 'Events' page on the Diocese website: www.westyorkshiredales.anglican.org/content/huddersfield-deanery-open-day