(Photo: Peter Crumpler)
Cathedrals and historic churches across the UK attract millions of visitors each year, with iconic sites like St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey ranking as top destinations in London. These sacred spaces often top the TripAdvisor lists, drawing diverse groups of people who seek a moment of reflection, prayer, or simply a pause in their hectic lives—what some might term ‘invisible congregations’.
While traditional church services might not appeal to all, many visitors are drawn to these historic places of worship in search of a spiritual connection or perhaps something indefinable, reminiscent of what St Paul referred to as ‘the Unknown God’.
According to the Bible Society’s Quiet Revival report, a significant number of young individuals are being drawn to churches. However, an intriguing insight from the report is that cathedrals and churches rank among the top venues where people with no religion or non-practicing Christians encounter the Bible during sightseeing.
This highlights the importance of providing informative materials and displays about the Christian gospel in these venues. It also suggests a potentially overlooked method of Christian communication that resonates with modern visitors—stained glass.
Historian Janet Gough’s work, ‘Divine Light’, explores some of the finest stained glass in England’s cathedrals. Gough describes these windows as illuminating spaces and conveying religious, historical, and political messages, offering what could be a glimpse of heaven.
Gough, who once directed cathedrals and church buildings for the Church of England, invited various cathedrals, Westminster Abbey, and St George’s Chapel, Windsor, to select a window for her survey. Her commentary blends historical insight with architectural knowledge and Christian communication expertise.
Historically, stained glass windows served as visual storytelling tools, depicting biblical scenes for those unable to read scripture. Today, they act as visual storytellers in a society dominated by platforms like Instagram and YouTube, potentially drawing contemporary audiences to biblical narratives.
Modern stained glass often features abstract designs, encouraging emotional engagement and perhaps even spiritual encounters. For instance, Blackburn Cathedral’s vibrant windows illustrate the theme of Christ as the Light of the World.
At St Albans Cathedral, the Rose Window, dedicated by Princess Diana in 1989, stands as a testament to craftsmanship with its 18,000 pieces of multi-coloured glass. This window, shifting with the day’s light, captivates visitors, offering them a moment of reverence and worship.
For those willing to explore with curiosity, stained glass windows reveal biblical truths, with some requiring scriptural knowledge to fully appreciate the stories they tell. They invite viewers to engage in a divine encounter, evoking awe and wonder through artistry.
Despite the focus on words in evangelical communication, these visual masterpieces, both ancient and contemporary, hold the potential to engage and inspire the multitude of visitors to cathedrals and historic churches. Perhaps it’s time to give stained glass the attention it deserves.
Rev Peter Crumpler is a Church of England minister in St Albans, Herts, and a former communications director with the CofE.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
