New museum exploring faith due to open at Auckland Castle

The Faith Museum opening at Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland on October 7, will feature rarely seen objects, national treasures, personal testimonies and contemporary.

The attraction is part of the wider restoration and redevelopment of The Auckland Project, which has been made possible with a £12.4m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Leading visitors on a journey through British history, the museum comprises a series of dynamic gallery spaces with an active programme of rotating displays and temporary exhibitions.

The ground floor traces a path through 6,000 years of faith, beginning in the Neolithic period with the powerfully tactile Gainford Stone and ending in the year 2000.

The thematic displays will feature objects on loan from 50 national and local institutions and private lenders which complement The Auckland Project’s own collection.

The upper floor of the museum will house a diverse programme of temporary exhibitions and installations, reflecting contemporary issues and timeless ideas.

The galleries will open with a display of works by ten contemporary British artists, offering their individual perspectives on faith today.

Local faith leaders, academic specialists and community groups have provided thoughts and perspectives throughout the development process. The museum aims to welcome visitors from all walks of life, whether they identify as religious, spiritual, or neither.

Walking through galleries housed in the 14th-century Scotland Wing of Auckland Castle, a never-before-displayed object found less than a mile from the Castle is one of the smallest and most remarkable items on show: the Binchester Ring.

Excavated in 2014 at the Roman Fort Vinovium, this extraordinary silver ring with carved carnelian stone featuring images of an anchor and fish is rare early evidence of Christianity in Britain.

Other highlights in these galleries include an early example of evidence of Jewish communities in Britain seen in the 13th-century Bodleian Bowl.

This decorated bronze vessel is inscribed with the name of Joseph, son of Rabbi Yechiel, a famous scripture scholar of Paris. Joseph lived in Colchester and may have given this bowl to the Jewish congregation there before leaving for the Holy Land.

The collection will also feature a copy of William Tyndale’s English translation of the New Testament from 1536, one of only a small number to have survived. 

And there will be a set of 20th-century prayer beads owned by Lord Headley, believed to be the first Briton to have legitimately completed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, having converted to Islam.

Dominating the Great Gallery upstairs, with its high-pitched ceiling, is a dramatic installation by Mat Collishaw, specially created for the space.

This large-scale work is complemented by more intimate pieces in the adjacent galleries, inviting visitors to consider how faith can be both awe-inspiring and public, yet personal and private.

In a gallery looking out across the Castle’s walled garden, a collection of paintings by artist Roger Wagner depict Biblical scenes in modern landscapes in a poetic juxtaposition.

Jonathan Ruffer, Founder of The Auckland Project, says: "The Faith Museum turned out to be the hardest piece of our jigsaw. We have tried to tell stories which put into context 6,000 years of human endeavour and the restlessness of the human spirit.”

Clare Baron, head of exhibitions at The Auckland Project, said: “We look forward to opening the doors of the Faith Museum to visitors this autumn.

"The objects and contemporary artworks on display tell the story of how people in Britain have expressed their faith throughout history, often in a very personal way. I’d like to thank all the lenders, artists, advisors and funders who have helped to create a space for us all to reflect on and discuss what faith means to us.”

Eilish McGuinness, chief executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, sadi: “It is such uplifting news that the Faith Museum will be open to the public in October, allowing an exploration of the heritage of faith in the UK spanning 6,000 years.

"We are proud to have supported the creation of the museum, as part of our wider investment in The Auckland Project, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past – and this museum will provide that inspiration from October when the public will uncover enthralling heritage stories in these beautiful spaces.”

The 740sqm museum has seen extensive conservation work undertaken on the historically significant Grade I listed Scotland Wing of Auckland Castle, with refurbishments overseen by Purcell architects.

The new purpose-built extension designed by Níall McLaughlin Architects takes the form of a medieval tithe barn and follows the line of the original perimeter wall of the castle.

Read next:

• Two arrested after North East stabbing leaves woman in hospital
• Man in court charged with attempted murder at famous North Yorkshire pub
• Striking new exhibition gives snapshot of Vivienne Westwood's career

Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device for just £4 for 4 months. Click here

Conceived as a sacred storehouse, the monolithic, pitched roof building was constructed using Cop Crag sandstone, local to the North East, and the same as used at Durham Cathedral.

Programming will be a central part of the museum going forward, with events, talks and workshops enabling yet more stories to be told and more perspectives to be explored. Educational sessions for schools will ensure children of all ages are able to have their learning enriched by inspirational visits.

The Faith Museum is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Jerusalem Trust.