Fifty Things to do in a Church

‘50 Things to do in a Church’

 ‘50 Things to do in a Church’  highlights some of the activities and events that take place in and around church buildings and the many different ways that people use and experience churches and chapels.

As well as being places of worship, church buildings play a vital role in activities for the benefit of the wider community. It is estimated that nearly 90% of churches are used for community purposes as well as for regular worship.

Included in ‘50 Things to do in a Church’ are activities and things to see and do linked to music and the arts, the spiritual, helping the community, art and architecture, food and drink, history, nature and wildlife, and sport and leisure.

Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust said:

‘50 Things to do in a Church’ makes it clear that churches, chapels and meeting houses are a tremendous asset to local people and communities throughout the UK.”

Music, the entertainment, and the arts

• Go to a comedy night
• Sing in a choir
• Have a night out at the opera
• Watch a film
• Paint a picture
• Have a night out at the circus

Spiritual

• Light a candle
• Meet a vicar
• Find peace and quiet
• Sing a hymn
• Say a prayer
• Go to a wedding

Art and architecture

• Discover a rood screen
• See historic wall paintings
• Marvel at stained glass
• Find the green man
• Sit on a Misericord

Nature

• Watch the bats
• Go stargazing
• Discover an ancient yew tree
• Find a stag beetle
• Go birdwatching
• Go to a flower festival

Sports and leisure

• Ring the bells
• Go skateboarding
• Abseil down the spire
• Go to a Yoga class
• Camp out for the night
• Take part in Ride+Stride

Community

• Give blood
• Learn English
• Go to the post office
• Volunteer at a night shelter
• Vote
• Use the free Wi Fi

Food and drink

• Visit a Farmers ’Market 
• Buy Fairtrade chocolate
• Enjoy a nice cup of tea
• Enjoy a beer festival
• Have a cream tea

Explore

• Find the church cat
• Climb the tower
• Stand in a triple decker pulpit
• Try out the organ
• Visit the crypt

History

• Honour the fallen 
• Research your family history
• Take part in a historical re-enactment
• Discover medieval graffiti
• Discover a tomb of someone famous