Saturday 21 September sees another successful
Churches Open Day

Glynis Wilkinson & Brownies serve food & drinks at St James, West Streatham

Over 100 churches in Southwark Diocese were opened on Saturday 21 September to welcome people to call in and visit. Bishop Tom and Bishop Colin and other senior staff toured some of the churches to see their special displays and meet local visitors.

Among the special activities were flowers, candles and guided tours. A time chart of the last 50 years was displayed. There were visitors books, acts of worship, displays, events, concerts, and refreshments. Some ran special children's activities, others had pageants, bell-ringing lessons, bookstalls, quizzes, arts and crafts. Christine Hardman, Archdeacon of Lewisham was the first of 150 who visited St Laurence, Catford. As well as several displays, including by Turkish Elders and the S.E. London Tamil Assoc., visitors could have their blood pressure checked. The Scouts put up a mini camp on the grass in the front of the church and 100 free lunches were cooked and served by the Mothers Union.

At Christ Church, Colliers Wood, the local MP and the Deputy Mayoress and consort spent time looking through old records and talking to members of the congregation. Visitors were entertained by the hand bell group.

What did you do?

These photos are of churches visited at random to give a flavour of the day.