2024 England Pilgrimage 

Canterbury: The Episcopal Church at William & Mary invites active students to participate in an international pilgrimage over spring break on even years.  Since 2016, we have visited our mother church and namesake, Canterbury Cathedral, and traveled throughout England to explore our faith.

This is not a vacation, or a tour. Christians have found spiritual renewal and growth in the practice of pilgrimage since at least the 4th Century. As a pilgrim, your experience is directly related to what it is you seek. All are invited to come and spend time exploring new depths to your life in Christ as we journey together as a community.

 
 

From March 8 - 18, 2024, the Episcopal Church at William & Mary will journey to Durham, York, and holy sites throughout Northern England. Led by Canterbury's Chaplain, the Rev. Charlie Bauer; Canterbury and William & Mary alum, the Rev. Grace Rigby; and organized by the Dean of York Minster, the Very Rev. Dominic Barrington, and his team at Lightline Pilgrimages, this will be a life changing experience.

Watch the introductory video below, and view the playlist that follows for some background on places we will visit.

 
 

Christians have found spiritual renewal and growth in the practice of pilgrimage since at least the 4th Century. As a pilgrim, your experience is directly related to what it is you seek. So come, spend time exploring new depths to your life in Christ as we journey together as a community.

Tentative Itinerary

Follow along with our pilgrimage:

Friday 3/8

  • Depart William & Mary and travel to Dulles to fly to Newcastle, UK

Saturday 3/9

  • Arrive in Newcastle

  • Drive to Angel of the North, then onward to tour Jarrow, home of the Venerable Bede

  • Then on to Durham Cathedral for a proper tour of the Cathedral and roofs.

Sunday 3/10

  • Church at Durham: attend Holy Eucharist and Evensong at Durham Cathedral

Monday 3/11

  • Visit Lindisfarne (Holy Island) for the day

  • Meet with the Vicar of Holy Island & celebrate Eucharist

Tuesday 3/12

  • Depart for Newcastle to visit several local parishes

  • Visit a portion of Hadrian’s Wall

Wednesday 3/13

  • Visit Escomb, one of the earliest remaining English churches

  • Explore Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

  • Tour Ripon Cathedral

Thursday 3/14

  • Spend the morning in Whitby, where we will see the ruined Whitby Abbey

  • Visit the nearby Church of St. Mary and hear from its Rector

  • Tour Rievaulx Abbey

Friday 3/15

  • Spend the morning and lunch with the Archbishop of York, the Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Stephen Cottrell

  • Return to York Minster, where we will receive a private tour with the Dean

  • Evensong in the Minster at 5:30 pm

  • Take the Mad Alice Bloody Tour of York

Saturday 3/16

  • Free day on our own

  • Optional Handel’s Messiah with the Choir of York Minster and Orchestra at 7pm

Sunday 3/17

  • Optional: Attend Choral Mattins at York Minster, 10:00 am

  • Attend Holy Eucharist at York Minster at 11:00 am

  • Enjoy free time in York

  • Attend Evensong at York Minster at 4:00 pm

  • Enjoy a celebratory closing dinner together

Monday 3/18

  • Depart for Newcastle, from where we will fly home to Virginia

Questions? Reach out to the Chaplain.