In a once-in-a-generation moment, the people of the County came together over the past three days to celebrate the first Coronation in 70 years ... and The Church of England in Lancashire was at the heart of many of those celebrations.

The long weekend began with the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev. Philip North, leading the celebrations with a message to the people of the County. Watch it on our Diocesan YouTube channel here.  

Then on Saturday, as the Coronation service took place in London at Westminster Abbey, here in the North West people gathered in churches, church halls, community centres and more to mark the occasion. 

Prayers were said for the King and Queen and the nation; bells were rung, plus much more besides, with the first of many celebration lunches and dinners held in the wake of the Coronation Service.  

On BBC local radio, Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff, the Anglican Bishop of Lancaster, co-presented a special broadcast with presenter Graham Liver which was networked across all local radio stations. Coming from the BBC studios in the heart of Blackburn the Bishop and Graham introduced and commentated on radio coverage of the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey.  

Then on Sunday, after special Sunday morning services across Lancashire at which more prayers were said for the Royal couple, it was time to break out some bubbly and serve more cakes than could be counted at Coronation Big Lunches taking place everywhere!  

Later on the same day, after serving their own community lunch to around 200 people, there was a special Coronation Evensong Service at the County’s Anglican Cathedral in Blackburn.  

That Civic Service was livestreamed and the recording is still available to view here.  

Attending the Evensong was the King’s representative in Lancashire, the Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Shuttleworth who read a greeting from Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla and also gave a Bible Reading. Mayors and Mayoresses from across the County were also there alongside uniformed organisations such as the Air and Sea Cadets.  

The Civic Service was led by the Dean of Blackburn, Very Rev Peter Howell-Jones and the sermon was delivered by Bishop Philip.  

As the Bank Holiday Monday rolled round it was time for the 'Big Help Out' for the Coronation across the County, and many churches joined in – making real the words of service that had come up so often during the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey.  

Bishop Philip toured a number of events, arriving unexpectedly to the delight of the many who attended. His first stop was St Peter’s, Salesbury, where there was a wonderful Community Picnic. The inclement weather failed to dampen spirits with the whole event moved inside the church, including the tug-of-war which went ahead in the main aisle of the church … and with Bishop Philip on one of the teams!  

Acts of service were taking place everywhere on Monday, including at St James’ Lower Darwen, where they held a community clean-up followed by a BBQ and also at Rufford St Mary’s and Tarleton Holy Trinity Churches where a litter pick-up took place across the village of Tarleton and a special tea was served at Rufford Village Hall for all the local volunteers from the local area. 

Meanwhile at St James, Lostock Hall, they held a community lunch and dozens attended, including many who don’t normally come to the church. The packed hall resounded to community singing (including the National Anthem) plus games and much more; with a special lunch prepared by volunteers from the church. 

There were many more events in our parishes across Saturday, Sunday and Monday and these have been reflected on our social media feeds – particularly on Twitter @cofelancs and Facebook/blackburndiocese where there are lots of pictures and videos (links at start of release). 

Bishop Philip said today: “As a nation and here in Lancashire we have seen an extraordinary weekend, with real emotional swings.  

“There has been an intense sense of mystery and awe at the Coronation itself, exploding into marvellous joy with celebrations around the County including in many of our churches.  

“The whole weekend has shown the enduring power of the monarchy to bring people together.  

“And the message behind that, also reflected in the Coronation Service itself, is one of service which has also been seen in the activities in our parishes over the past three days. 

“What we have witnessed in churches around the County is people reaching out into their community to serve in practical and pastoral ways and to share the joy with their neighbours. That’s a beautiful thing to see.”

Bishop’s video edit by Rebecca Whittaker

The captions for the pictures top to bottom.
* By Ronnie Semley for Blackburn Diocese': 

Bishop Philip takes part in the Tug of War held in the centre aisle of St Peter's Church in Salesbury! *

Amelia Pegrum of St Peter's, with a Coronation Bear knitted by Lesley McCreedy, junior church leader *

Fr Matthew McMurray of St James' Lostock Hall, with Maureen and Anne, who organised the hugely popular community lunch held there on the bank holiday Monday *

Bishop Philip and Rev Rebecca Roberts of St James Lower Darwen with some of the many children who attended their community lunch *

The litter picking group from Holy Trinity Tarleton with an assortment of finds - including a road sign and rugby ball! *

Local volunteers enjoy the community tea at Rufford Church Hall

Bishop Jill and the BBC's Graham Liver after their Coronation Day broadcast

The Lord Lieutenant, Lord Shuttleworth, reads a greeting from the King and Queen at the Coronation Evensong at Blackburn Cathedral

Church working party tidying up in the grounds of Holy Trinity Freckleton over the Coronation Weekend

Ronnie Semley, 09/05/2023