St Giles’ Church, Northampton

St Giles’ Church in the centre of Northampton is a rare and beautiful jewel in the Church of England. I speak not of its building, which looked fine from without, but its theology, which is evangelical. Although that word is like overstretched elastic, I think it may still be used in good conscience if one might attend a given gathering and hear the gospel of salvation. Yet herein lies a mystery. Many of the evangelical parish churches I encounter do not open up to the public mid-week. I partially understand this: their buildings are means to an end, not the museum and galleries which liberals' empty buildings invariably become.

On the other hand, why not open up and have volunteers share the gospel with tourists, having Bibles available to buy or take, giving out gospel leaflets? Possessing an old building in a busy centre often brings the seekers to the church; you don’t even have to go to all the trouble of finding them. I feel evangelical parishes are missing a major trick, here.