This workstream considers the history and the heritage of All Saints church and how this can be communicated, through outreach and educational activities to a wide range of community groups and individuals. Whilst the history and heritage of the church is of compelling interest to many in its own right (including the workstream leader!) there is a deeper reason for addressing it. In its presentation we “keep the rumour of Christ alive” i.e. through the presentation of the history and heritage of the church the gospel story can be communicated in a low key way, and the way in which the church has been involved with the community through the centuries can be presented. Seen in this way, the presentation of our history and heritage becomes a tool for mission in a number of ways, and acts as one of the ways of safeguarding the long-term future of both building and congregation.
The responses to the questions that have been raised in the consultation were very consistent. The main points are as follows.
- The most important aspect for a number of respondents was the concept that the church building is a place where worship has been offered and where people have met with God through the ages, and that this continues. Any heritage activities should emphasise this.
- Associated with this, the church building has been a central focus for the community over the centuries and this role should be explained and continued.
- There is a need for good information sheets, conveniently placed by the entrances, that describe the history and the heritage of the church, and its role as a place of worship and centre of community, in accessible ways. A children’s trail would also be useful. (All of these already exists in some form or other, but are obviously not properly displayed and publicised).
- Welcoming people into the church building is very important, for looking around and appreciating its history and its heritage, but also as a place to find some peace and quite, and indeed to pray quietly. A team of welcomers, trained in explaining some of the features of the church and perhaps offering cups of tea and coffee, would be useful. The current layout of the church (i.e. the pews!) is not terribly conducive to offering hospitality in this way.
- Reinstate (and repair) the Queen Edith exhibition, and consider other exhibitions on the history of All Saints and the wider church in Rutland. Exhibition space is however very limited.
- Organise a regular series of talks and lectures on heritage and theological issues
Clearly some of the above suggestions would be cheap to implement (better information and publicity, repairing the Queen Edith display etc.). Others, such as a team of welcomers and hosts, would rely on having the necessary human resources. But some – such as better hospitality space, more room for exhibitions – require significant re-ordering of the church and thus capital expenditure.
