Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit Auckland Castle, which is a princely fortified house situated in Bishop Auckland. It is a well-preserved Bishop’s palace that began to be used as the official residence of the Bishops of Durham in 1832. A manor house was built on the site of the current property in 1183 AD. Over the years it was developed and added upon and eventually became a castle. The building was later demolished and there has been a series of constructions and demolitions of the site since.
Connected to the building is a new museum that is partly housed in the castle (a 14th century wing) and partly in a purpose-built facility. Museum-goers travel through time in a largely chronological order starting with ancient religious beliefs and moving into more recent times. The displays, interactive and informative, are well presented, clear, and simple to understand. This is a professional undertaking.
One unique museum
The Faith Museum explores the myriad ways in which faith has shaped lives and communities across Britain, inviting visitors to consider how people across history have encountered faith.
Four dynamic gallery spaces
Leading visitors on a journey through British history, the museum comprises four dynamic gallery spaces with an active programme of changing displays and temporary exhibitions.
Over 250 objects
The Faith Museum showcases over 250 objects from 50 lenders across England, Scotland and Wales, including rarely seen objects, national treasures, personal mementos and contemporary commissions.
6,000 years of history
The museum’s story begins 6,000 years ago and takes visitors on a journey through time, considering the ways faith has shaped lives throughout history and continues to do so.
The museum was originally going to feature an 1841 edition of the Book of Mormon that was published in Liverpool. Unfortunately, the loan fell through and the museum was unable to secure another given the short time frame. I was contacted about the issue and asked if I knew of a way to fill the gap.
I was able to offer an 1851 issue of The Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star (which you can read in its entirety here). They eagerly accepted it and earlier this month I took the day off work and travelled down to the town to deliver the magazine. It has been loaned to the museum for a year and if you visit the museum you will have the opportunity to see it alongside items from different faith traditions present in the British Isles.
I was impressed at the quality of the facility and the diversity of items on exhibition. Although it was not complete when I visited there was a real range of objects and their accompanying stories. Someone visiting the museum would certainly come away with a greater appreciation for the role religion has played in various societies and in the lives of individuals.
With more than 250 objects on display, including Muslim prayer beads, a Roman Christian ring, a bayoneted prayer book from World War 1, a copy of William Tyndale’s English translation of the New Testament (1536), and much more, there will be something for everyone. If you are interested in religion in the British Isles the Faith Museum is a fascinating and informative addition to the popular understanding of religion and religious belief. If you go, I hope you enjoy viewing the issue of the Star that I loaned to the museum.
The Faith Museum opens on 7 October 2023. You can find out more information here.