The Lastingham Group of Churches

Good to keep the church open.
God’s silence, God’s peace.
Wonderful atmosphere in which to reflect, away from the humdrum society in which we find ourselves.
Keep it up – not just for yourselves but for the Church of God and those who search for peace, hope and love in their lives.
The Shrine of St Cedd is truly a treasure. Please make every effort to upgrade in any way possible.
The Crypt is very moving with candles lit.
A wonderful and powerful presence here – truly numinous. St Cedd, pray for us.
Important to keep here the sense of the past, of antiquity and the continuity of worship.
A prayerful place – it is becoming very difficult to find prayerful space in churches.
Crypt steeped in the prayers of faithful Christians.
Icon cards are wonderful.
Please encourage other churches to keep open, or have local key holder.
I would like to help keep this church open and a living witness.
Appreciated continued use of Book of Common Prayer.
Marvellous place, truly joined with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven. Please keep up this devotion of yours.
You have a beautiful and important church in England. It must be more publicised for the benefit of others.
To light a candle when offering a prayer is a spiritual feeling, adding an extra dimension to prayer.
So obviously loved by all who care and manage the fabric and atmosphere.
Soft lighting, which lights up the dark church.
A very short free descriptive leaflet would be helpful.
Maybe a more prominent notice where the Sacrament is. I was unaware there was a Tabernacle in the church until I came right up to it.

I like to find …

Orderliness and tidiness and the feeling of a living church within the building.
Evidence of a vibrant worship life, spirituality and sense of mission.
A traditional Mass.
Signs of a community at various aspects of its life.
Material which attempts to communicate the gospel to casual visitors.
Just a quiet place with an atmosphere of peace and goodness.

2. Churchgoing: once a month

Sample size: 23

A good place to come to when you need to think alone.
Peace, tranquillity and free of pomp.
The flowers are beautiful, the candles are comforting.
Fantastic atmosphere – feel the silence of the ages blowing back into … eternity! May God bless this place and the people associated with it.
Please do not turn it into a tourist attraction.

3. Churchgoing: once a year.

Sample size: 27

Beautifully cool and calm place on a hot summer’s day.
We have been visiting your church for the past 33 years to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
Nice to find a church which wants to find out about the reaction of those who visit it.
This looks like a living place – very important – adds to the energy of the peace one finds here.
We would appreciate a bigger range of postcards.

4. Churchgoing: less than once a year

Sample size: 26

Open door was the most important.
I like Church because you can remember Jesus and sing hymns, and it is a place to calm down.
For spiritual need I may want to access a priest for help. I would not know how to contact him/her. There is now a clear notice!