Hundreds of churches across North Yorkshire are preparing to welcome visitors for ‘Yorkshire Churches Day’ (YCD) on Saturday 16 September.
Run by the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT), Yorkshire Churches Day is a day where everyone is encouraged to visit their local place of worship even if they have never stepped foot inside a church before. It will be a day for those who are curious about the history and heritage of their local surroundings.
The initiative has been warmly welcomed by Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York and President of the YHCT:
Yorkshire Churches Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our County’s churches. At the heart of nearly every one of our communities is a church. They are there to serve and welcome everyone. However you choose to engage with these wonderful buildings, remember, they are not merely places of heritage and history, but vibrant centres of worship and community serving Yorkshire today.
Among those opening their doors are St Wilfrid’s, the only Grade I listed building in Harrogate. The church contains many fascinating pieces of silverware, beautiful vestments and items of interest, all of which will be on display throughout the day with guides available to tell you more about the church and its unique history.
Also opening its doors is St Andrew’s church at Aldborough, a Grade I listed church founded in the14th Century, built on the site of the Roman forum of Isurium. As well as a tour of the church, with refreshments available, visitors are invited to see the nearby Cambridge University ‘Aldborough Roman Town Project’ archaeological dig.
For more information see:
Many churches from across the region are opening their doors to visitors, details can be found at https://www.yhct.org.uk/yorkshire-churches-day/
Harrogate Baptist Church – Saturday 9 September: 10:00-13:00
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/harrogate-baptist-church
St Michael and St Lawrence Church, Fewston – Saturday 9 September: 1100-1600
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/st-michael-and-st-lawrence-church-fewston
Harrogate Wesley Chapel – Saturday 9 September: 11:00-16:00
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/wesley-chapel
YCD is being run in conjunction with the Heritage Open Days initiative, with numerous places of worship opening up for the duration of the festival from 9th – 18th September. Details can be found at https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/
