The church of St John the Baptist, in the centre of Peterborough, has a remarkable history, not least the 16th Century parish sexton who conducted the funerals of Katherine of Aragon and Mary Queen of Scots, who are buried in the nearby cathedral.<\/p>\n
But when the latest vicar, the Rev Michelle Dalliston, arrived two years ago, some were beginning to be concerned for the church\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
After years of slow decline in numbers, the combination of Covid followed by a period without a vicar, had taken its toll: confidence was waning and the building was only able to open for services, a Saturday caf\u00e9 and a Tuesday lunchtime concert series.<\/p>\n
Two years on it is \u201cbuzzing\u201d, open most days in the week with everything from support for homeless people and a variety of NHS and other drop-in services to a busy caf\u00e9, revitalised lunchtime concerts with professional musicians, and a myriad of other events and activities.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018Traditional doesn\u2019t mean boring\u2019 – a medieval parish church growing for the future https:\/\/t.co\/42zzGCPMtC<\/a> #parishministry<\/a> #anglican<\/a> #uk<\/a><\/p>\n — Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) May 17, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n