Places of worship have long been a landmark in the South Holland area.
Countryside churches are visible right across the flat landscape and many of them are hidden treasures waiting to be explored.
A two-day festival next month will help visitors explore some of these special places.
The first Holland Places of Worship Festival will be held on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10.
A total of 23 places of worship are participating in the event throughout South Holland.
They include: Broad Street Methodist Church, Spalding; Spalding Quaker Meeting House, All Saints’ Fosdyke; St Mary and the Holy Rood, Donington and St Mary the Virgin, Swineshead.
Festival chairman Jane Brady said: “There is a wide range of activities to take part in over the two days, as well as the opportunity to simply enjoy the peace and tranquility these buildings can provide.
“And, of course don’t forget the refreshments!”
The Bishop of Grantham, Nicholas Chamberlain added: “It’s so easy to take our buildings for granted. Perhaps we pass them by every day on our way to work and no longer really see them.
“A festival such as this gives us all permission to look again, to cross new thresholds and to discover new and wonderful people and places,” he added.
The Wesleyan chapel in Broad Street, Spalding, was recently renovated to great acclaim, and will also be open on the Saturday from 10am-4pm.
The 17th Century Friends (Quaker) Meeting Place, in Westlode Street, worships at 10.30am on Sunday.
All Saints’, Fosdyke, will be open both days from 9am-5pm, while St Mary, Donington, will open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm.
Swineshead is open Saturday, 9am-4pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm.
Further afield, sites will be open to the public across south Lincolnshire.
More information is available at the website: www.hollandpowf.org.uk
