St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich

St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich

A magnificent church right in the heart of the fine city of Norwich. This church receives many visitors as it is next to the busy market.

From a visitors point of view the first thing to say is that the sign outside which says ‘Church Open’ does entice people inside. There was a steady stream of visitors whilst I was there. Only 27 people had signed the visitors book but that number could be easily multiplied by a hundred I am sure. Visitor’s books are a very unreliable indication of the actual numbers of people visiting.

A lot of effort has gone into the visitor ministry here. There is a lot of history information available as well as interpretation as to what the fittings and furnishings of a church are used for and signify. We cannot rely on visitors knowing what a font is for for instance. This requires some sensitivity in wording things so as not to be patronising yet to be informative and instructive.

There were several things I really liked here. Some cards were on display for a Bereavement Support Coordinator – an excellent idea. Also some simple prayer cards for visitors to use, as well as some prayer slips to use on teh prayer board – well used as usual.

There is a Children’s corner set up and there is a votive stand for use as well. A steward was on duty. There are some laminated cards to carry around and a chapel for prayer – a wonderful light and holy space which contained a book to write in – ‘A Book of Sorrow and Loss’.

A very moving idea which was being well used and must be meeting a need.

One very unusual idea that I have never seen before was a small display of pumpkin Jack O Lanterns with a leaflet ‘The Pumpkin Prayer’. A positive Christian approach to something that churches have often been wary of. An excellent way of christianising an essentially pagan idea.

There is a good website at http://stpetermancroft.org.uk/ with clear and welcoming visitor information. I rate St. Peter Mancroft as excellent and this is a good example of what can be achieved in an urban church in a busy place. Go and have a look!