Churches across the region will come together in Manchester City Centre on Monday 29th May for the first Whit Walk since the pandemic.
The Manchester & Salford Whit Walk is a joyful occasion when groups from local churches meet in a walk of witness and to celebrate the ‘birthday’ of the Church. Christians from across the diocese will process together through the centre of the city.
We are delighted that the Greenfield Brass Band and Manchester Regiment Church Lads & Church Girls Brigade Brass Band will be joining the walk too.
Please come along to line the streets and join the Act of Worship. Your attendance makes such a difference to those taking part in the walk.
This year the route will be:
9.30am Assemble Cathedral Gardens (behind Manchester Cathedral M3 1SX)
10am Procession to St Peter's Square via Deansgate/Peter Street
10.45am Act of Worship – Led by Dean Rogers Govender. The guest preacher is the Revd Grace Thomas.
11.30am Return procession to Manchester Cathedral via Deansgate
All are invited to support the Whit Walk by lining the streets and joining in the Act of Worship in St Peter's Square.
The Right Revd Prof David Walker, Bishop of Manchester said:
“I must have gone on my own first Whit Walk before I was even out of my pram. The Walks remain an important event among the traditions of Manchester and its surrounds. I hope that many will join or watch them this year, especially to encourage those walks that are recommencing for the first time after the Covid years.”
The Right Revd Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton said: "I’m very much looking forward to taking part in a number of Whit Walks this year – they’re such a wonderful part of our rich heritage in our diocese and continue to offer us an opportunity to witness joyfully and confidently to our faith.
"I warmly invite those who are able to join us in walking or watching and ask the whole diocese to pray for God’s blessing on these important acts of witness, especially in those places where it’s the first opportunity to gather since the pandemic."
Dean Rogers Govender, Manchester Cathedral said: “This will be the first Whit Walk since before the pandemic and I am so excited to see congregations come together to celebrate this occasion once more. If your church is not involved in the walk itself, please do come down to line the route in what promises to be a real community celebration.”
Revd Canon Daniel Burton added:
"We are thrilled that the Whit Walks are back. This is our day – an annual opportunity to celebrate our faith on the streets of Manchester and to affirm the huge contribution made by local churches to the civic life of Greater Manchester".
We look forward to seeing you there!!
