Reading · Pocket Pilgrimage Design

Hello, fellow pilgrim.

This newsletter is getting more irregular. Life is full, and I’m not able to devote as much time to it as I used to.

But I’m happy to just share things when they bubble up.

And I’m grateful to share them with you.

There’s a special joy that comes from stumbling upon a quaint, village church.

Often, these places are left unlocked for visitors to explore.

They are little sanctuaries of calm. I often think you can sense the prayers of many, many generations in the walls.

They are also wonderful places to discover design, old and new.

Unassuming village churches can be home to imposing religious art like this:

An ancient religious painting depicting judgement on wooden beams inside a church — Up close and personal with the Wenhaston Doom Painting, a 16th century depiction of the Day of Judgement. Photo by my girlfriend.

They can unearth modern artists reflecting on faith, death and life.

Take Jacqui Parkinson. A few of her prints were on display in a church in Suffolk, which opened my eyes to her ‘Threads Through the Bible’ project.

The largest textile project for 600 years, this is a kaleidoscopic journey through Genesis, the Easter narrative and Revelation.

I highly recommend you check it out, in person if possible. It’s on tour until the end of 2027.

Looking down on a magazine cover, which features Christian tapestry artwork — A brochure of textile artist Jacqui Parkinson’s incredible ‘Threads Through the Bible’ project. Photo by my girlfriend.

The graphic design in these churches can be little windows into the past.

We get to peer back in time, and imagine what it must have been like to christen a baby in the middle of World War II.

Just look at this baptismal roll in Dyrham, an estate outside Bristol which houses a parish church. I love the silhouette work at the top, even if it does all look a bit ‘If we shadows have offended’:

A framed baptismal roll inside a church — Doesn’t this baptismal roll inside St Peter’s, Dyrham look like a vintage poster for a production of *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*? Photo by me.

So, this is a celebration of unlocked treasures, free for us pilgrims to discover.

Textile kneelers, strange little art installations, lino prints in the honesty box gift shop…

The whole lot.

What’s the best (or most unexpected) design that you’ve found among the pews?

An angel statue standing proudly on a plinth, surrounded by verdant trees — An angel standing sentinel above the grounds of the ‘Cathedral of the Marshes’: Holy Trinity, Blythburgh. Photo by my girlfriend.

This song, which I’ve found to be a great reflection on pride and humility. Also, I love that evocative artwork (check out the deluxe edition for a playful bit of design):

Big blessings.

— Sam (views expressed are all solely my own)

Pilgrimage Design | My King Washes Feet | t-shirts, caps, prints and more

Design among the pews.

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