Anglican cathedrals and implicit religion: Softening the boundaries of sacred space through innovative events and installations

Ursula McKenna · Leslie J. Francis · Francis Stewart

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Religious Tourism and Spaces Study and Philosophy of Religion Religion and Society Interactions

Abstract

High profile (and controversial) events and installations, like the Helter-Skelter in Norwich and the Crazy Golf Bridges in Rochester, have drawn attention to innovation and public engagement within Anglican cathedrals. The present study contextualised these innovations both empirically and conceptually. The empirical framework draws on cathedral websites to chronicle the wide and diverse range of events and installations hosted by Anglican cathedrals in England and the Isle of Man between 2018 and 2022. The conceptual framework draws on Edward Bailey’s theory of implicit religion to classify and to explore these events and installations. Two insights from the theory of implicit religion emerged as of particular significance. First, the notion of implicit religion softens the boundaries between the sacred and the secular. This was exemplified by eight categories of events: scientific exhibitions, festivals, musical events, art exhibitions, theatre, markets, community events and installations. Second, the notion of implicit religion draws attention to the themes and activities that generate meaning and purpose. This was exemplified by seven themes: social justice and social conscience, violence and reconciliation, remembrance, migration and sanctuary, COVID-19 and lockdowns, personal well-being and nature and environment.Contribution: Situated within the science of cathedral studies, this article identifies the range of innovative events and installations hosted by Anglican Cathedrals in England and the Isle of Man and assesses the significance of these events and installations through Edward Bailey’s lens of implicit religion, discussing first the softening of boundaries between the sacred and the secular and then the generation of meaning and purpose through the core themes raised by these events and installations.

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References

2005The Spiritual Revolution: Why Religion is Giving Way to Spirituality 1998Implicit Religion in Contemporary Society 1998Implicit Religion 2008Understanding Cathedral Visitors: Psychological Type and Individual Differences in Experience and Appreciation 2007Visitor experiences of St Davids Cathedral: the two worlds of pilgrims and secular tourists 2010Applying Psychological Type Theory to Cathedral Visitors: A Case Study of Two Cathedrals in England and Wales 2010The Religious Beliefs and Attitudes of Rural Anglican Churchgoers: Weekly and Occasional Attendees 2012National Heritage and Spiritual Awareness: A Study in Psychological Type Theory among Visitors to St Davids Cathedral

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2023The social value of music during the COVID-19 pandemic: exploring the benefits of online music participation for social capital, education, belonging and wellbeing 2024Anglican cathedrals as ‘episcopal centres of learning’? A survey of current educational provision 2025Accessing visitor evaluation of an immersive cathedral experience: applying the Jungian lenses of feeling and thinking and Bailey’s theory of implicit religion 2024Exploring the responses of non-churchgoers to a cathedral pre-Christmas son et lumiere

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