A group of Cumbrian churches has created a near 30-mile-long pilgrimage route to promote the rich Christian heritage of their area.

The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, joined members of eight churches in the Kent Estuary Mission Community in the south Lakes for a launch event of the pilgrimage and guide.

Developed over a year by a group drawn from the churches, the new guidebook includes five circular walks and a return route which connects churches in Levens, Heversham, Milnthorpe, Beetham, Storth and Arnside.

Peter Clarke, a member of St Peter’s Heversham who helped to co-ordinate the new pilgrimage, said: “The aim is to encourage people to enjoy the countryside and appreciate the natural and historical richness of the Kent Estuary whilst also helping visitors and locals alike know a little more about the churches in each village.

“We hope it prompts reflection on how the expression of faith has evolved here through the centuries and how that faith remains relevant to the challenges and opportunities of our own time and that it affirms the distinct identity of each of our eight congregations, while celebrating their shared life as part of a wider community of faith.”

The idea for the 67-page book originally came from retired vicar the Rev Colin Honour who had researched the Christian roots of the south Lakes. It took more than a year to develop and was collated and designed by Jenny Marks, a member of St Michael and All Angels Beetham.

Jenny said: “It took a lot of effort to get to this point because so many churches were involved and obviously the walks themselves needed to be researched. Daphne Lester, a local resident, did drawings of each of the churches and the maps of the routes had to be drawn up too.

“When I received all the details I realised there were one or two missing details for the walks, so I ended up walking the entire pilgrimage route, which was wonderful.”

As well as guides to the circular routes and the linear route, the book includes an introduction penned by Colin which outlines the coming of Christianity to the area and reflections for use on the journey.

On Saturday, Bishop Rob attended a special launch event which included a time of open-air worship on Heversham Head, a walk of part of the pilgrimage route and further worship at St Thomas’ Milnthorpe.

He said: “I was thrilled to be invited along to the launch event and to celebrate the rich Christian heritage which blesses this area. It is wonderful to see the effort, skill and care which has been put into the creation of the pilgrimage routes which link these eight churches. This project will help people connect with the deep Christian story of these communities and the living faith in Jesus which we want people to hear today.”

Five hundred copies of the guidebook have been printed and are available for sale (priced £6) in the Kent Estuary Mission Community’s eight churches. There are also plans for the books to be sold in local retailers and at tourist information centres.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• To view a short film of the launch event of the Kent Estuary Mission Community pilgrimage visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCq1IQHTrWs

For more information contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications, on 07469 153658 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.