County Durham tourist attraction announces opening date after 10 year wait

Having been in the making for 10 years, and “countless challenges” encountered along the way, the Faith Museum opens to the public on October 7.

The Faith Museum explores the myriad ways in which faith has shaped lives and communities across Britain through rarely seen objects, national treasures, personal testimonies and contemporary commissions.

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 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.

Local faith leaders, academic specialists and community groups have provided thoughts and perspectives throughout the development process; the museum aims to welcome visitors from all walks of life, whether they identify as religious, spiritual, or neither.

Jonathan Ruffer, founder of The Auckland Project, commented: “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, added: “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.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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