The Bishop of Lincoln speaks in the House of Lords: 2 -3 February 2026
On Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 February, the Bishop of Lincoln spoke in the House of Lords. Find out what he was taking part in.
Read the storyA delight for our diocese
Our diocese sends congratulations to St Paul and St Peter’s Church in Old Bolingbroke for winning the National Churches Trust prestigious Church of The Year Award!
Celebrating a church’s dedication, care and impact
Churches from across the UK were nominated, from which a judging panel selected the 58 shortlisted churches and 4 winners.
This year, the National Church Awards celebrated the dedication, care and impact of the people who care for the UK’s wonderful church buildings. They also celebrate those people who share them with others.
A small but mighty hub of life
The judges praised St Peter and St Paul as an outstanding example of what a small rural church can achieve through energy, imagination, and community spirit.
In a village of just 350 people, volunteers have transformed their beautiful historic church into a thriving hub of local life.
The team’s creativity is remarkable. It ranges from pet services and pop-up pubs to concerts, talks, and heritage events linked with the nearby castle. All these efforts help to bring new people in and make the church “hugely relevant again.”
A bastion of mission and outreach
The judges admired how the community came together to care for both the building and the people it serves. They combined heritage restoration with genuine outreach.
“It has it all – history, heritage, community and heart.”
They particularly noted the church’s ethos of self-reliance. A group of twenty to thirty supporters are determined not to wait for others to act, but to take the future into their own hands.
In the words of one panel member, it “has it all – history, heritage, community, and heart”. It is a model of how a small rural church can be enterprising, inclusive, and deeply rooted in local life.
Explore more about St Peter and St Paul
There is plenty more interesting information to be found about the winning church on their dedicated website.
Credit goes to Maddman Photography and Steve Lumb for the pictures in this article.