Blackburn Cathedral opens its doors to virgers from across the country

Blackburn Cathedral welcomed representatives from cathedrals across the country for three days of worship, learning and community engagement as it hosted the 2026 Deans’ Virgers’ Conference and AGM.

The event brought together 28 members under the theme Opening Doors and Welcoming the World, exploring how cathedrals can remain welcoming, accessible and connected to the communities they serve.

Hosted by Blackburn Cathedral’s Head Virger, Alex Barnes, the conference combined discussions about cathedral life with visits to local places of worship, training sessions and opportunities to experience Blackburn’s hospitality.

Opening doors and welcoming communities

The conference began with a reflective session led by Bishop Graeme Knowles, who encouraged delegates to share their experiences of working in cathedrals across the country.

Virgers play an important behind-the-scenes role in cathedral life, helping to organise worship, welcome visitors, prepare for events and maintain the smooth running of these historic buildings.

The Archdeacon of Lancaster, David Picken, led a discussion about the importance of keeping cathedral doors open, particularly following the closures experienced during the pandemic.

He described cathedrals as a “gift of space in a crowded world”, highlighting their value as places where people can find peace, reflection and a sense of belonging.

Exploring Blackburn’s diverse communities

A highlight of the conference was a visit to two neighbouring places of worship in Blackburn, demonstrating the relationships being developed between different faith communities.

Travelling aboard a vintage bus provided by Paul Fielding, delegates visited the new Masjid E Vali Mosque, where they received a guided tour and learned about its facilities and work within the community.

The group then crossed the road to St Silas’ Church, where Fr David D’Silva, Blackburn Cathedral’s Canon for Presence and Engagement, discussed local interfaith relationships and the challenges facing communities in Blackburn.

The visits provided an opportunity for delegates from across the country to see how faith organisations in Blackburn are working together and building connections.

Worship, training and fellowship

Worship remained central to the conference, including a Festal Evensong and Conference Eucharist.

The Revd Canon Andrew Horsfall, Interim Dean of Blackburn, offered prayers recognising the commitment and service of virgers working in cathedrals throughout the country.

Delegates also took part in specialist security training delivered through the Community Security Trust’s SAFE programme.

The sessions covered conflict management and recognising potential security threats, helping cathedral teams balance their commitment to welcoming visitors with keeping their buildings and communities safe.

Away from the formal sessions, delegates enjoyed opportunities to experience Blackburn’s hospitality, including a meal at Checks & Greys.

A conference gala dinner brought together 40 guests around Blackburn Cathedral’s Table of the Nation, with sponsorship from church supplies company Charles Farris.

The evening featured guest speaker Fr Andrew Teather from St Stephen on the Cliffs in Blackpool, who shared stories and experiences from his career.

The conference concluded with a guided cathedral tour led by archivist Sue Hall, followed by the association’s AGM and discussions.

Showcasing Blackburn on a national stage

Head Virger Alex Barnes said hosting the conference had been an opportunity to introduce colleagues from across the country to Blackburn Cathedral and the wider town.

“We may be less familiar to visitors than some of the cathedrals represented, so this was a welcome opportunity to showcase Blackburn Cathedral and all that it offers,” he said.

“It also allowed me to introduce colleagues to something of our local community, while learning from their experiences of serving as virgers elsewhere.”

Alex thanked the Cathedral Chapter, clergy, staff and local businesses who helped make the three-day event possible.

He added: “My hope is that the encouragement and learning we took from these days will continue to shape our work here and at other cathedrals, as we keep opening our doors and welcoming the world.”

The conference highlighted Blackburn Cathedral’s role not only as a place of worship but also as a centre for community connections, hospitality and interfaith understanding.

Find out more about Blackburn Cathedral, its services, events and visitor information at:

https://blackburncathedral.com/

Source: Blackburn Cathedral, 16 October 2026.