Christian Heritage Weekend - September 6th - 9th, 2007

	The Two Dales Christian Heritage Project offers its annual weekend featuring open churches, local displays and musical items. The theme is inspired in part by the 300th Anniversary of the birth of Charles Wesley (author of thousands of hymns including the well-loved 'Love Divine' and 'Hark the herald angels sing' and the 150th Anniverary of the birth of Edward Elgar ('The Dream of Gerontius' and 'Jerusalem')
	Most residents and visitors in Arkengarthdale and Swaledale have some idea of the wide variety of Christian activity in the dales today. The Two Dales Christian Heritage Project plans to reveal our hidden Christian heritage. From the time when Paulinus the 7th century archbishop of York, baptised converts in the river Swale, to Philip Lord Wharton's provision of a place of worship for early non-conformists on the hillside above Low Row, and the days when John Wesley travelled over the fells to find 'an ernest, loving and simple people' gathered to receive him at the tiny hamlet of Blades, the area abounds in the relics and memories of our spiritual forefathers. Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, the two northernmost Yorkshire dales, have an amazingly rich and varied Christian history, incorporating very early baptisms in the river Swale mentioned by Bede in his History, medieval canons and nunneries, early Quakers, Independents and Methodists, and four very different Anglican churches each with its own story to tell. Those already familiar with the area will know that it is justly famous for its scenery and the industrial heritage of the long closed lead mines as well as the warmth of its welcome to visitors for well over a century. It is hoped that this project will help old friends to a deeper understanding of the spiritual influences which shaped the people and place and introduce many new ones to the area for the first time.   Click here for a map of the Two Dales and pictures of individual churches.   Here is an index of local churches.   Here are links to a number of other heritage sites.