On Saturday 17th June a band of happy pilgrims walked in the sunshine all the way from Houghton-le-Spring to Durham Cathedral as part of our Gilpin 500 celebrations.

Bernard Gilpin was an itinerant preacher, spending much of his time walking around Northumbria in order to preach the gospel. So following in his footsteps we had a pilgrimage together to Durham Cathedral, helping us to appreciate a slower pace of life and enjoy the sights on the way.

Once at the cathedral we had a short service of prayer in the Galilee Chapel and then our Gilpin Banners were processed as part of Choral Evensong.

Thank you to the Rev’d Margaret Lee and Rev’d Judith Howes for organising the pilgrimage and to Canon David Kennedy and Durham Cathedral for their hospitality.

We are all on a pilgrimage of faith together:

May God the Father who created you, guide your footsteps,
May God the Son who redeemed you, share your journey,
May God the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you, lead you on life’s pilgrimage,
and the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be with you wherever you may go. Amen.

Here are some pictures from the walk on a rather hot but glorious day:

Setting off from Houghton

On our way towards Pittington

Leaving Pittington – about half way

Walking through fields

We can see the cathedral in the distance with its ‘hat’ on!

We reach Durham Old Gardens

Walking by the river while a cricket match is on

A welcome sight indeed!

Ready for a short service in the Galilee Chapel

The Bernard Gilpin window in Durham Cathedral