Walk recognises women Christianity pioneers

The excavations in Lyminge revealed the remains of a church estimated to have been built between 630 and 640 AD

A walk has been launched to highlight the work of women who helped develop Christianity in England.

The route connects churches in Canterbury, Lyminge and Folkestone.

Churches on the route say they hope it will raise the profile of women who pioneered Christianity in England fourteen centuries ago.

Jenny Coleman, treasurer at St Mary & St Eanswythe Church, in Folkestone, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming pilgrims from everywhere to our beautiful church.”

The start of the pilgrimage is at St Martin’s Church in Canterbury, and celebrates Saint Bertha who prayed with Saint Augustine in her private chapel on the site. Saint Augustine became the first archbishop of Canterbury in 597 AD.

Bertha helped King Ethelbert accept Christianity and together they established the first Christian royal family in England.

St Mary & St Eanswythe, Folkestone

Midway along the route is St Mary & St Ethelburga Church, Lyminge, where recent excavations uncovered the remains of a church dated to the time of Queen Ethelburga, daughter of Bertha.

Organisers say the stone foundations are evidence of what is acknowledged as one of the first Christian communities in England.

The end of the route is at St Mary & St Eanswythe. The church is dedicated to Saint Eanswythe, who is said to have founded a very early Christian community at Folkestone.

Human bones were discovered hidden in the church wall which have been scientifically analysed. They are of a well-nourished young woman and date to the time of Saint Eanswythe.

Organisers say they are “most probably her bones preserved as relics in the church she founded since the time of her death”.