As Holy Week and Easter approach, churches across our diocese are finding practical ways to welcome visitors into their buildings and offer opportunities to explore the Christian story.
One example comes from St Mary’s Church, Brook, which created a Holy Week and Easter trail in 2025. Designed for all ages, the trail guided visitors around the building using illustrations of the story from Holy Week to Easter, helping people unfamiliar with the church to explore the space too.
This approach is one of the many ways churches can take part in our diocesan Inviting Visitors campaign. The initiative helps churches across the Diocese of Canterbury to open their doors wider to a variety of visitors including tourists, heritage enthusiasts, and families, offering a space for reflection, discovery, and connection.
The Revd Matt Hodder - Priest in Charge at St Peter-in-Thanet, Broadstairs took part in our 2025 Inviting Visitors campaign pilot. Speaking about this, he said: “It
had been a long-held desire of the church and local community to get St Peter-in-Thanet's church building open more often for people to access.
“The backing and advice of the Generous Giving Team was instrumental in finally making this happen, and we are so delighted that St Peter's has been open six days a week … for anyone to come and access, in whichever way they feel comfortable.
“It has made such a difference to our ministry and mission.”
To find out how your church can get involved in the Inviting Visitors campaign, and explore simple ways to welcome people into your building, visit our website.