A group from St Mary's went on a mini pilgrimage this week organised by Revd Sally. Setting off from the lovely St Mary's church Chartham they took a picturesque walk into Canterbury City Centre, arriving in good time at Canterbury Cathedral to enjoy Choral Evensong!

As we enjoy better weather and look ahead to the Summer, it is an ideal time to plan a pilgrimage!

St Mary's Minster has a a strong connection to pilgrims, being a feature along the Way of St Augustine, a 19 mile historic route of pilgrimage. On this route you can travel in the footsteps of St Augustine and discover the birth of Christianity in England in the beautiful Stour Valley from Ramsgate to Canterbury. If you don't fancy the full 19 miles, then Explore Kent have helpfully broken it down into shorter more manageable walks, one of which takes you from Plucks Gutter to Minster, where you can explore our Saxon Church and its history, along with the beautiful Minster Abbey. Maps can be found here: The Way of St Augustine - Explore Kent

You can also find out more about the importance of Minster in Pilgrimage at the British Pilgrimage Trust: Minster Abbey, St Mary the Virgin Church, Minster-in-Thanet - British Pilgrimage Trust

Over the coming weeks and months we will be celebrating pilgrimage in our churches as part of the Church of England's summer campaign: Pilgrim Places, Holy Lives: A Gospel Journey with the Early English Saints. So check back here to find out more events and news on this!