A Festival Church is a church building which is not used for weekly worship, but is an open church, a local icon and a community asset.
There is growing concern amongst some PCCs about their church’s future. It may be that a church still has potential, but could become more sustainable if energy and effort was spent doing fewer things really well. The Festival Church model could offer a way forward.
Becoming a Festival Church is a positive, proactive decision to do less and to do what is done better and differently as a springboard to a sustainable Christian presence and mission. It is not a step on the road to closure.
The Pathway to becoming a Festival Church (see below) is intended to help PCCs stop & re-imagine; to think about how they can work with the local community to deliver the worship they want to participate it. The key to success is PCC engagement and consultation with the local community as this process will enable the PCC to decide if there is enough local support to become a Festival Church.
A Festival Church is an open church used for at least six planned services a year. Services may include some major festivals but can also be other types of service. Community consultation will help to shape the planned services. The church is also open for baptisms, weddings & funerals and a place for prayer and contemplation. Festival Churches can also accommodate appropriate wider uses (e.g. community use). Where present, schools may be encouraged to use the church.
Nationally there are examples of Festival Churches in both rural and urban contexts.
Find out more
If you are interested in finding out more about how the Festival Church Model is being used in our diocese:
- An Introduction to Festival Churches in the Diocese of Leicester
A short set of slides to enable conversation with your PCC. - Download - A case study of St Mary’s Church, Walton-le-Wolds - Download
- A short theological reflection on Festival Churches in the Diocese of Leicester - Download
- A document outlining how Festival Churches fit within Everyday Faith - Download
- A document outlining how Festival Churches fit with Minster Communities - Download
Our Festival Church Pathway
If you are interested in exploring becoming a Festival Church, the Pathway to becoming a Festival Church describes the process in more detail and provides links to useful resources.
Download the Pathway Guide
If you would like further information or support please contact:
Gill Elliott, Building Development Enabler & Church Buildings Team Lead
Gill.Elliott@LeicesterCofE.org
0116 261 5353 / 07947353129