London: Camden Faith Walks

St Ethelreda\'s, Ely Place

Camden is one of the most diverse boroughs in London, not just in terms of ethnicity and race but also in the number of active faith communities that live and work in the borough. The first Christian place of prayer (St Pancras Old Church) was established in Camden in 314AD long before the Norman Conquest or English Reformation.

Camden can boast of wonderful church architecture and history. This has been enriched since the late 19th and 20th century by new faith communities, such as the Jewish and Muslim communities, coming to settle in this part of London.

The Mayor of Camden, Councillor Lazzaro Pietragnoli has organised two 'faith walks' in his borough taking place to mark the end his mayoral year. His theme for his Mayoral year has been to promote the role of faith groups and religious institutions in preventing exclusion and promoting social cohesion and community resilience.

Not only do faith communities come together to provide centres for worship for their own members they also provide social, educational, cultural and welfare programmes for the wider community. Frequently they work with people on the margins of society who suffer from deprivation, homelessness, addictions and loneliness.

10 May - Starting at St Ethelreda's, 14 Ely Place,EC1N 6RY at 2pm and finishing at St Pancras Church on the Euston Road, where walkers will have tea. Those who want can stay on with the Mayor for Choral Evensong (a service of prayer and hymns) to celebrate the feast of St Pancras.

17 May - Starting at St Michael's Camden Road at 2pm and finishing at Belsize Square, for tea. Rabbi Altshuler will show people around the Synagogue and will pray for a blessing on the Borough.

Later that evening there is also a concert at St Peter's Church (Belsize Baroque, Adrian Butterfield, Triumphs & Alliances £12 tickets on the door at 6.30 p.m. - visit www.belsizebaroque.org.uk)

The walks will be led by a Camden Tour Guide who will comment on the history and architecture of the buildings and highlight the presence of mosques, synagogues and churches in the different neighbourhoods, their enduring history and the contributions they make.

Final details of timings and the route are posted here: http://camden50.co.uk/events/type/walking-tour/

To reserve a place book here: http://camden50.co.uk/events/three-faiths-forum-walk-1/