BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 32nd ANNUAL EDITION 21 St Columb’s Cathedral, Derry was the first Protestant Cathedral to be built in the British Isles. Construction started in 1628, less than two decades after the Plantation of Ulster. (Photo: LauraMcIlveen, NCT) encourage exploration and spread the economic benefits of visitors. For visitors, the invitation is simple: take the less travelled route. Choose a theme, follow a trail, speak to local people, and let stained glass and stone tell you stories that aren’t in any of the guidebooks. For volunteers, Treasure Ireland is a practical ally, offering help with the small but vital things that make tourism welcome and sustainable. And for everyone who cares about the future of historic places of worship, the project demonstrates that conservation and tourism can be partners, not rivals, when done thoughtfully and locally. SARAH CROSSLAND is Head of Stakeholder Engagement at the National Churches Trust and a Trustee of the Churches Visitor and Tourism Association. She has managed regional and national church tourism projects for 25 years, working with national Destination Management Organisations and currently manages church tourism strategy and content to ensure that churches are promoted as key heritage attractions. She also leads on large events, including the recent Great Expectations conference at the V&A, the National Church Awards and training. Sarah is also heritage adviser on Sheffield Diocese DAC and often speaks at conferences and events around the country. ABOUT THE NATIONAL LOTTERY HERITAGE FUND Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. Over the next ten years, we aim to invest £3.6 billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities. The Walled City of Derry church trail features a wide variety of places of worship, promoting tourism in the town and benefiting both the city and its places of worship. St Augustine’s is known as the ‘Wee Church on the Walls’. It was built in 1872 to the designs of John Guy Ferguson and overlooks the Bogside. (Photo: Bea Prosser Snelling, NCT) (Photo: LauraMcIlveen, NCT) St Columba’s Church in Long Tower is one of several Roman Catholic churches in Derry, and its site has been a place of worship since the 12th century. The present building was constructed in 1783, although its lavishly ornate interior dates from its remodelling in 1802. (Photo: LauraMcIlveen, NCT)
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