A “simple, unadorned” church in Lincolnshire has won the UK’s Church of the Year award.
The National Churches Trust awarded St James the Great in Aslackby, Lincolnshire the accolade at a ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral on Tuesday.
The 2024 National Church Awards celebrated UK churches for their outstanding contributions to social action, conservation, and community-building efforts.
15 winners were honoured from 55 finalists, with St James the Great taking the highest award for its “inclusiveness and celebration of diversity within its community.”
The church building, influenced by the Knights Templar has been described as simple and unadorned in character, that has become an accessible social hub for “learning, peace, hope, fun and activity.”
The church, in partnership with South Lincs Dementia Support, has launched a dementia club, whose members recently created a unique audio tour. The church trail features historic characters with QR codes sharing their stories, with voices recorded by people living with dementia.
Chris Gudgin, who accepted the award said the win “crowned a wonderful year.”
Speaking on behalf of David - a man living with dementia - Gudgin said "We feel really valued and respected by way of contributing to this innovative community church scheme. Our involvement and inclusion as people living with dementia is so self assuring, the benefits are immeasurable.
"This [involvement] makes us feel so grateful, validated and enables us to continue to live with the vital feeling of Hope for the future - life continues.”
The new Dean of Lincoln, Very Revd Dr Simon Jones, and Canon Ann Easter, former Chaplain to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, co-presented the awards.
This year’s awards were inspired by the work of the late Lord Patrick Cormack, a champion of church buildings, who dedicated his life to helping to keep the UK’s churches open and in use.
A Lifetime Achievement award has been added in Lord Cormack’s honour for 2024, to recognise an individual (or group) which has dedicated time, care and love for more than 25 years towards a particular place of worship.
Winning churches took home a range of rewards and mementoes including prize money of £500, £750 and £10,000 (for the Friends award), a display plaque and, for group winners, the award itself.
As part of the National Church Awards, a special "Visit Your Finalists Day" on Saturday, 23 November, will welcome the public to explore over 100 finalist churches, chapels, and meeting houses across the UK, including past years' nominees.
