CHURCHES in the north of England are being encouraged to mark themselves as “pilgrim places” as part of the Archbishop of York’s Faith in the North initiative.
Faith in the North is a prayer, storytelling and church-planting movement led by Archbishop Cottrell (News, 14 March 2025). New resources released this week are designed to support churches to become “Pilgrim Places — locations where visitors can pause, explore, and deepen their spiritual journey.”
They include signage for the church building, prayer cards, trails for all abilities, “explore cards” for children and young people, and ideas and information on how to join in the scheme.
A new webpage on the Faith in the North site explains: “Visiting a Pilgrim Place doesn’t mean you have to be wearing hiking boots or a rucksack (though walking or cycling is a great way to travel if you can). Instead, it means that like millions of people before you, you can find peace, hope, comfort, and understanding to take back into your everyday pilgrim journey of life.”
The Storytelling and Heritage Lead for Faith in the North, Professor Dee Dyas, said: “Being a pilgrim isn’t just about walking long distances, it’s about taking time to reflect on life’s journey — where we’ve come from, where we are now, and where we’re going. Churches are uniquely placed to offer this kind of space.”
Archbishop Cottrell said: “Pilgrimage lies at the heart of the Christian faith, reminding us that God journeys with us through every season of life. We are hopeful that these resources will help our churches welcome those exploring faith as they come into these wonderful buildings.”
A programme of introductory webinars for churches will run on 20 and 21 January, offering practical guidance on the scheme.
