Monica Leyburn, Church Secretary at Trinity (UM) Church, Rawdon, shared their story and the significance of their annual pilgrimage to Buckstone Rock:
“During the early 18th century, when non-conformist religious practices were illegal, secret Baptist services were held in the shelter of Buckstone Rock. These clandestine gatherings took place on the Sabbath, despite the risk of persecution.
Each year the congregation at Trinity Church Rawdon meet at Buckstone Rock to honour those who 300 or so years ago, faithfully worshipped God in this Place.
This remarkable stone has stood as a silent witness to faith, perseverance, and community and was historically used by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, on numerous occasions as a place to preach and gather followers.
We meet to follow their example and to continue their tradition. We meet to celebrate our own religious liberty and maybe most poignantly we meet to remember those Christians in other parts of the world who are not yet free to worship God, and to pray for them. We need to remember the sacrifices made by many Christians in this country to win for us the freedom to worship as we see fit.
This year, with grateful thanks to Rawdon Golf, Lawn Tennis and Padel Club (the stone is now in the grounds of the club), we held our annual pilgrimage on Sunday 13th July.”
Cover photo: Left to right, Matt Chew (who led the service), Margaret Grange, Pauline Whyte, Kate Woolley and Val Bruce