UK – Launch of ‘Spirit In Stone’ Guide to Churches

UK – Launch of ‘Spirit In Stone’ Guide to Churches

A brand-new visitor guide to more than 120 historic North East churches is launched at St Nicholas’ Cathedral, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
on Thursday 14th March 2013 at 1.30pm.

‘Spirit in Stone’ is a full-colour, A5 format booklet which illustrates, describes and maps many priceless local churches across Northumberland, Newcastle, Tyneside and County Durham; a region renowned for its natural, built and cultural heritage, and especially for its Christian history.It has been a focus of pilgrimage since at least the fifth century. In their time, the monastic communities of Cuthbert, Aidan, Bede and other Christian pioneers of North East England drew people from across Europe for spiritual nurture, learning, recording and creativity. This has been a foundational shaping force in the North East’s physical and cultural heritage, and continues to make an impact on England’s national identity.

Andrew Duff of Inspired North East (inspirednortheast.org.uk) which has produced ‘Spirit in Stone’, said, “A wide range of people are drawn to visit the North East and more than half of all people on days out or on holiday visit churches or cathedrals as part of their trip.”

These are not just well-loved old buildings, they are of interest in so many ways: art and architecture, social and political history, battlefields and churchyards, saints and heroes, stories of local communities, family history, and so on – and of course they are also of profound spiritual significance as places of worship, prayer and family events.

“These are beautiful places which bear witness to history and culture and sense of place.”
‘Spirit in Stone’ will be distributed through tourism and visitor outlets as well as churches across the region. Contact Inspired North East to obtain copies.
For further information and if you wish to attend the launch at 1.30pm on Thursday 14th March
2013 please contact Martin Sheppard on 07544 803160, m.sheppard@newcastle.anglican.org.

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