St Cuthbert's Church, Greenhead

The Parish Church of St Cuthbert at Greenhead in Northumberland seemed to be a standard, nineteenth-century construction, the doors of which were kept locked. Such churches tend to focus my attention on the externals, naturally, of which St Cuthbert’s had little of note other than its sense of height. Even the large east window over the communion table, above, seemed unusually high above the ground. Looking at it from the churchyard, it was plain and dark, yet from within it must surely be riot of colour, as the daylight illuminates the stained glass.

To those without, Christian worship is boring and dull, the Bible is tedious and meaningless and Jesus Christ is dead and distant. To those of who believe, however, worship is the purpose for which we were created; the books of the Bible are the lively oracles of a God who makes Himself known, and Jesus Christ is wonderfully precious.

Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. Isaiah 33:17

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