Churches are places of history, faith, and community, yet many people may not know they are welcome to explore them. Our Inviting Visitors campaign aims to help churches across the Diocese of Canterbury open their doors wider and create meaningful connections with visitors. Over ten churches have signed up to be involved with this year’s Pilot and the campaign will be rolled out more widely in 2026.
Guidance
Integral to the campaign is practical guidance from the Diocese on making your church more welcoming and supporting you in inviting and engaging with different types of visitors—from tourists and heritage enthusiasts to those seeking peace and reflection. This guidance is provided via an Information Pack which includes essential advice on managing security and health & safety considerations, particularly when opening your church for longer hours. There will also be a webinar with Ecclesiastical, the company insuring most churches across the Church of England, and workshops at St Paul’s Church in Canterbury which has recently opened its doors outside service times on an unstaffed basis after twenty years of being closed.
Whether your church is looking to increase footfall, share its rich heritage, or simply create a more inviting atmosphere, you will find the tools and inspiration you need to get started in the information pack.
Why invite visitors
Inviting visitors, whether these are from near or far, into your church building is an act of outreach and brings many benefits, including:
- Increasing the number of people engaging with your church building;
- Helping others appreciate the significance of places of worship;
- Attracting new volunteers and supporters;
- Encouraging donations, including one-off and regular gifts;
- Inspiring people to leave a gift in their will, helping to support the church’s future;
- Enhancing eligibility for grants;
- Raising awareness of church services and events;
- Greater footfall, contributing to improved security;
- A possible focus for your church’s Mission Action Plan.
Opening your doors more widely not only enriches those who visit but also helps sustain and strengthen your church for generations to come.