DISCOVER LEICESTER

"Discover Leicester" is coming up this weekend: our city's annual contribution to a national Open Days event supported by English Heritage. I've taken from the programme only those sites in the city related to religion. There are more than just these destinations on offer during the four day period. Leicester Council of Faiths organises a "Faiths Trail" as part of this event. I'll be blogging about that separately on Sunday.

St Margaret's Church
St Margaret's Street, LE1 3EB
St Margaret's is a large medieval church rich in history. A warm welcome is extended to everyone. Beautiful stained glass windows - the east window by Thomas Willard.
Sat 11 Sep 1000-1330

Leicester Synagogue
Highfield Street, LE2 1AD
The Synagogue is a listed building and well over 2100 years old. There will be informal tours of the building as well as explanations about its use and the Jewish Faith.
Sun 12 Sep 1000-1600 (Photo of the synagogue, above, from the Leicestershire Beehive, which hosts a number of websites for local not-for-profit groups and organisations)

All Saints' Church
Highcross Street, LE1 4PH
Norman/Medieval Church. Rare 1610 working clock with striking quarter Jack figures. There will be an exhibition of Victorian funeral memorabilia and displays by Leicestershire Calligraphers and the War Memorials Trust.
Thu 9 Sep 1100-1800; Fri 10 Sep 1100-1800; Sat 11 Sep 1000-1800; Sun 12 Sep 1430-1730

Places of Worship, Welcome & Wonder!
Friends' Meeting House, Queens Road, Clarendon Park, LE2 1WP
A chance to explore Stoneygate and Clarendon Park's many and varied places of worship and learn about their history and the often remarkable buildings that house them. From the grandeur of St James the Greater and the Clarendon Park Congregational Church to the Regency villa home of the Jesus Fellowship in Springfield Road. Collect your free map and itinerary and make your own way. Guides will be available at each venue to help make your visit a memorable one.
Sat 11 Sep 1000-1600

St Mary de Castro
Castle Street, LE1 5WN
Norman/Medieval church originally connected to Leicester Castle. the South Wall is still loopholed in preparation for the last ditch stand in the Siege of Leicester 1645.
Thu 9 Sep 1200-1400; Fri 10 Sep 1200-1400; Sat 11 Sep 1200-1700

St Nicholas' Church
129 St Nicholas Circle, LE1 5LX
A hidden treasure of Leicester's heritage, St Nicholas Church has had a long and colourful history. Sited near the centre of the Roman Town of Ratae Coritanorium, some Roman remains visible, but visitors will also find Saxon features dating from AD900.
Sat 11 Sep 1400-1600

Leicester Cathedral
Peacock Lane, LE1 5PX
Cathedral for Leicester and Leicestershire, 13th century church building. Enjoy peace and quiet, prayer and history. Exhibitions and tours, 13 bells, superb organ, recently restored tower and spire.
Fri 10 Sep 1000-1600; Sat 11 Sep 1000-1600; Sun 1000-1600

Leicester Abbey Revealed
Abbey Park, Abbey Park Road, LE4 5AQ
Leicester Abbey was founded in the 12th century and became one of the richest abbeys in the region. Learn of the growth of the abbey and the daily life of the monks.
Thu 9 Sep 0900-1400


St George's Serbian Orthodox Church
Rutland Street
Built in local sandstone in 1827, and largely rebuilt in 1912-13; St George's is now a Serbian Orthodox Church. Enjoy a friendly tour around this fascinating church.Sat 11 Sep 1600-1700


Bishop Street Methodist Church
10a Bishop Street, Town Hall Square, LE1 6AF
Georgian Grade II listed historic Methodist Chapel with an impressive interior. guided tours of the building, opportunity for family historians to consult our historic registers, displays on our church history and information about church heritage project.
Sat 11 Sep 1000-1600

Great Meeting Unitarian Chapel
East Bond Street, LE1 4SX
300 year old non-conformist place of worship, the oldest brick building in Leicester. Set in pleasant gardens in the heart of the city, with many original features and some significant Victorian additions.
Sat 11 Sep 1000-1700; Sun 12 Sep 1030-1230