Visitors will be able to explore stories of belief in Britain spanning 6,000 years from October
After a decade in the making, Bishop Auckland's brand new Faith Museum will finally open its doors this October. Housed in the Grade I-listed, 14th-century Scotland Wing of Auckland Castle, as well as a new building designed by Níall McLaughlin Architects, the galleries will display permanent and temporary exhibits that tell the history of religion in Britain.
Binchester ring © Jeff Veitch, Durham University
Split over two floors, the museum hopes to evoke “three central questions” within its displays: Where do I belong? How do I live? and Am I alone?
Highlights in the main gallery include the 13th-century Bodleian Bowl, an early example of evidence of Jewish communities in Britain. Donated by the Ashmolean Museum, the decorated bronze vessel is inscribed with the name of Joseph, son of Rabbi Yechiel, a famous scripture scholar. Joseph lived in Colchester and may have given this bowl to the Jewish congregation there before leaving for the Holy Land.
Visitors can also see the never-before-displayed Binchester Ring, which was unearthed in 2014 less than a mile from the castle and is one of the smallest items on show. Forged in silver and decorated with carved carnelian stone featuring an anchor and two fish, it is a rare piece of early evidence of Christianity in Britain.
Yad (a pointer used to indicate place during a reading of the Torah) courtesy of Jewish Museum London
In the upstairs galleries, visitors will find temporary displays. The first includes an installation created specially for the space by Mat Collishaw, who was born to a Christadelphian family and is best known for his striking 1988 piece, Bullet Hole. Other artists include the Singh Twins, who merge Eastern and Western art, plus Khadija Saye, the British-Gambian photographer who lost her life in the Grenfell Tower fire.
This exciting venture has been spearheaded by The Auckland Project, a charity working to regenerate Bishop Auckland as a heritage destination, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Jerusalem Trust.
Teere © The Estate of Khadija Saye, London
“We look forward to opening the doors of the Faith Museum to visitors this autumn,” said Clare Baron, head of exhibitions at The Auckland Project. “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.”
Admission to the Faith Museum is open from Saturday 7 October and included with entry to Auckland Castle and Gardens.
By Danielle Goldstein
Header photo courtesy of Níall McLaughlin Architects
The Faith Museum opens Saturday 7 October. Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7NR. aucklandproject.org/venues/faith-museum