CHURCHES across Malvern and Worcester are opening their doors for visitors during this year’s Heritage Open Days to showcase the history and story behind each site.
A selection of the churches will welcome all for a showcase of historical significance and to honour the communities they serve. All visits are free.
St Gregory’s Church in Castlemorton will entertain visitors with hymn singing at 10am on Saturday, September 7. Residents and visiting tourists can also attend the church any day to explore its history between 8am to 6pm from September 6 to 15.
St Peter’s Church in Powick invites visitors to have a go at bell ringing and learn more about the church’s role in the Civil War. Church tours will be taking place from 10am to 4pm on September 11,13 and 14.
Holy Trinity Church, Link Top is welcoming guests to enjoy tea and cake in Elgar’s Church to the accompaniment of the organ from 2pm to 4pm on September 11.
Visitors can learn about the church’s history and enjoy the beautiful stained glass and early Edwardian decoration in the Chancel. The ceilings are painted with symbols of the passion and the walls with Apostles, angels and stencilled tracery and colonnades.
St James Church is hosting an exhibition bringing together new research into the windows in St Edward’s Orphanage chapel, the lockdown Churchyard project, a display of books about West Malvern and information on the new pilgrim space being created in the churchyard. The church will be open between 12 noon and 4pm from September 13 to 15.
Great Malvern Priory is hosting a one-hour tour of the church led by guides of the Friends of the Priory at 2.15pm on September 14. Visitors can learn about Misericords, 15th century Malvern-made tiles, the CS Lewis wardrobe and more.
St Mary’s Church in Hanley Castle is showcasing an exhibition from 2pm to 5pm between September 7 to 14. It will explore the routes to and from the church and how they illustrate the connections between the people of the parish and the outside world.
Visitors can also discover links to King John, Bishop Bonner, P.G Wodehouse, the Order of St. John Thomas Attwood MP and the Lechmere family.
Those attending can also follow the Wyche Way, the Upton to Malvern Railway, the River Severn and the Via Regalis through ancient fields, modern agriculture and God’s creation. And read local stories from local people celebrating their links with their local church.
Last but not least, visitors can explore Worcester Cathedral from a different angle. Tours will include a journey through the gardens, a showcase of its historic graffiti and information about the lives of the Monumental Women involved in the cathedral.
There will also be a family-friendly hands-on introduction to the historic graffiti with children’s activities.
This year’s Heritage Open Days take place between September 6 and September 15 as an opportunity to celebrate the nations heritage, community and history by exploring hidden places and trying new experiences.
Visit https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/ for more information.
