6 days ago
Church to open to the public for Dumfries and Galloway's Doors Open Day
People will have the chance to look around All Saints Episcopal Church in Challoch on September 6.
A Galloway church is set to open its doors to the public.
All Saints Episcopal Church in Challoch is taking part in Dumfries and Galloway's Doors Open Day on Saturday, September 6.
It's a chance to experience one of the region's finest examples of a small country Victorian house of worship, with the public welcome to go along between 10am to 4pm.
All Saints is well-suited to this year's Doors Open Days theme of architectural heritage; windows to the past, doors to the future.
The Anglican church will not only showcase its architectural heritage, but will marry this with its spiritual heritage in the form of a tour, devised for the day using a self-guiding leaflet.
The tour will lead visitors round the grounds and inside the church, themed and decorated for the following day's annual harvest festival thanksgiving service.
All Saints Priest in Charge, Rev Dawn Matthew, said: 'We want our visitors to get a feel of how the church's architecture is designed to connect us with, and raise awareness of, something greater than ourselves.
'I and members of our congregation will be on hand to offer further guidance and answer questions. A parallel tour will be available for children and families, with prizes, so this will be a great day out for everyone.
'And visitors won't go hungry either as ploughman's lunches will be served between 12pm and 2pm, and cakes and drinks will be available throughout the day.
'We look forward to welcoming everyone to our beautiful inclusive family church at the foot of the Galloway hills.
'Our treasures include magnificent stained glass windows by world-renowned Victorian designer and manufacturer Charles Eamer Kempe, a spectacular hand-painted ceiling, and a serene graveyard that includes war heroes, and family members of the Earls of Galloway.
'2025 is a special year for us as we celebrate our 140-year anniversary. The church, designed by architects W G Habershon and Pite of London, was built in 1871-72 as a private chapel for the owner of nearby Penninghame House, Edward James Stopford-Blair.
'On his death in 1885, he bequeathed the church and then-rectory to the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway, creating today's All Saints Church.'
The Challoch event is part of the larger Doors Open Days initiative across Scotland, coordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust.
