Church Explorers

Discover magnificent churches across Yorkshire

Church Explorers is a summer-long festival celebrating the architectural and archaeological importance of Yorkshire’s magnificent church buildings.

For the 2018 festival we are exploring the theme of Memorials, focusing on churches as places of memory and exploring how they serve as records and reminders of historic events for their local communities. In our participating churches you will find grand monuments to princes and parliamentarians, as well as more simple tributes erected by families in memory of their loved ones.

In this Centenary year of the end of the First World War in 1918, we are also exploring war memorials in the churches. Church Explorers will showcase the stories that lie behind the names carved in stone and reflect on how people commemorated those lost.

Church Explorers 2018 will bring these memorials to life as our participating churches share the stories they have discovered in a season of events, open days and exhibitions. Discover all on offer below and be sure to share your experiences on Social Media using #ChurchExplorers.

This project provides York Archaeological Trust with an opportunity to achieve our mission to build better lives through heritage.