A new museum, The Faith Museum, which explores the different ways in which faith has shaped lives and communities across Britain is set to open to the public on 7 October 2023.

The museum sits at the heart of The Auckland Project’s unique cultural destination in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, which includes historic buildings, art galleries, gardens, extensive parkland and a heritage railway.

The Faith Museum is part of the wider restoration and redevelopment of The Auckland Project, which has been made possible with a £12.4m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which was raised by National Lottery players. Leading visitors on a journey through British history, the museum comprises a series of dynamic gallery spaces with an active programme of rotating displays and temporary exhibitions.

The ground floor traces a path through 6,000 years of faith, beginning in the Neolithic period with the powerfully tactile Gainford Stone and ending in the year 2000. The thematic displays will feature objects on loan from 50 national and local institutions and private lenders which complement The Auckland Project’s own collection. The objects are sometimes beautiful, sometimes high-status, often enigmatic, and often poignant; they are witnesses which cut through to deep reverences and customs which speak directly through time to us today.

The upper floor of the museum will house a diverse programme of temporary exhibitions and installations, reflecting contemporary issues and timeless ideas. The galleries will open with a display of works by ten contemporary British artists, offering their individual perspectives on faith today.

Jonathan Ruffer, Founder of The Auckland Project said, “The Faith Museum turned out to be the hardest piece of our jigsaw. We have tried to tell stories which put into context 6,000 years of human endeavour and the restlessness of the human spirit.”

Clare Baron, Head of Exhibitions at The Auckland Project, comments: “We look forward to opening the doors of the Faith Museum to visitors this autumn. The objects and contemporary artworks on display tell the story of how people in Britain have expressed their faith throughout history, often in a very personal way. I’d like to thank all the lenders, artists, advisors and funders who have helped to create a space for us all to reflect on and discuss what faith means to us.”

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said, “It is such uplifting news that the Faith Museum will be open to the public in October, allowing an exploration of the heritage of faith in the UK spanning 6,000 years. We are proud to have supported the creation of the museum, as part of our wider investment in The Auckland Project, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past – and this museum will provide that inspiration from October when the public will uncover enthralling heritage stories in these beautiful spaces.”

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