Bishop Guli’s Lent and Holy Week Pilgrimage 2026

This year's Pilgrimage started at St Paul's Stratford. Pilgrims are gathered in front of a striking wooden cross and matching altar front from the 1950s (both unattributed).

From St Paul's pilgrims walked to St Michael and All Angels' Manor Park. In this picture, they are gathered in front of a sculpture of St Michael subduing the Devil, by Robert Crutchley, 1990.

Onwards to St Barnabas Little Ilford and a picture in front of the 1954 stained glass East Window, which has an image of Christ in Glory at its centre

The final stop of day 1 was St Bartholomew's East Ham. A stone cross (2007) on the exterior angled wall is by Nicholas Mynheer and represents St Bart's diverse congregation and community.

Bishop Guli is pictured with John Bridgeman's sculpture 'The Family' (1983) which is situated on the south exterior wall of St Bartholomew's

Day 2 started at St Erkenwald's Barking, home to a unique collection of engraved windows by John Hutton

Bishop Guli, Bishop Lynne, Archdeacon Chris and Chaplain to the Bishop of Chelmsford the Rev'd Dr Rachel Pennant are pictured at St Erkenwald's Barking.

Pilgrims continued to St Margaret's Barking on the site of Barking Abbey

At St Margaret's Barking with a painting by Alan Stewart, titled Early in the Morning (2005). A black Christ cooks breakfast for his disciples depicted as being of every ethnic origin to reflect the diverse worshipping community at St Margaret’s.

Outside St Margaret's Barking

On to St Patrick's in Barking

Pilgrims are pictured in front of the spectacular and colourful reredos at St Patrick's Barking.

The final stop of Day 2 was St Martin's Becontree where there is a spectacular painted mural of the Crucifixion (by Hans Feibusch (1898 – 1998)

Day 3 began at St Mary's Woodford. Bishop Guli is pictured with the Rev'd Elizabeth Lowson in front of the two West windows by Alan Younger (c. 1973), one of the most important stained glass artists of the post-war era.

Bishop Guli spoke with pupils from Churchfields school who were visiting St Mary's Woodford

Pilgrims gather outside St Mary's Woodford as they prepare for the next leg of their journey

On route from St Mary's Woodford to St Paul's Woodford Bridge

Day 3 took pilgrims through the Roding Valley

Arrival at St Paul's Woodford Bridge

The walk continues through Claybury Park

Arrival at St Peter's Aldborough Hatch

Bishop Guli and the Rev'd James Gilder are pictured at St Peter's Aldborough Hatch. Behind them on the wall, is a carved stone sculpture of Christ as the Good Shepherd by Anthony Foster.

Pilgrims are pictured with a Crucifixion by Woodford artist, A. Wyatt at St Peter's Aldborough Hatch

Bishop Guli is pictured with the Rev'd Dr Rachel Pennant at St Peter's Aldborough Hatch. Behind them is a sculpture of the Woman of Samaria by Thomas Bayliss Huxley-Jones

The final stop of Day 3 was St John the Evangelist, Seven Kings, where pilgrims were photographed in front of the vibrant new West Window (2005) by Derek Hunt, on the theme of Light of the World with references to St John’s Gospel.

Day 4 began at St Andrew's Ilford

Pilgrims are pictured at St Andrew's Ilford, with stained glass window circa 1920.

Arrival at St Mary's Great Ilford

Father Gareth Jones (right), Vicar of St Mary's Ilford, shows the three altar panels by E.A. Fellowes-Prynne

This stained glass window at St Mary's Great Ilford was commissioned in 2020, and is believed to be the only one in the Diocese of Chelmsford featuring the diocesan crest

St Mary's Great Ilford: Bishop Guli and her chaplain the Rev'd Dr Rachel Pennant, are pictured with Hilary Hardwick, who painted the St Francis Icon (2002) (pictured).

The penultimate stop of day 4 was All Saints Goodmayes

The final visit on day 4 was St Paul's Goodmayes, home to windows by Leonard Evetts. The church also has a “Madonna and Child” by Jane Quail.

Pilgrims gather at St Edmund Chingford, in front of a striking altar front by Sarah Burgess (2010)

The Story Teller's Window at St Edmund Chingford by Caroline Benyon (2004). In memory of a former Churchwarden and Sunday School Teacher, the window depicts Jonathan Swift, C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll with characters from their stories.

Pilgrims depart from St Edmund Chingford

Arrival at St Mary's Walthamstow

Pilgrims are pictured at St Mary's Walthamstow in front of an impressive five-light East Window (1939) based on the ancient hymn called the “Te Deum Laudamus”. The design is embraced by the vine and surrounded with symbols of creation.

Next stop, St Barnabas Walthamstow

Bishop Guli and Waltham Forest Area Dean, the Rev'd Tim Scott, embark on the final leg of day 5 from St Barnabas to St Andrew's Leytonstone

At St Andrew's Leytonstone there is a window of the Madonna in the North Aisle, by Alan Younger and there are sixteen windows by Arts and Crafts artist, Margaret Chilton (1875-1963). Vicar the Very Rev'd Paul Kennington gives an explanatory talk.

A final photo of the day at St Andrew's

The first stop of the day was St Peter's Harold Wood. St Peter’s have asked us to clarify that although they are in impaired relationship with the Diocese, they were willing to open the church for the pilgrimage. Bishop Guli was very grateful for this.

St Peter's Harold Wood is home to two fused glass windows on the theme of light and water, by Caroline Richardson (2010).

After leaving St Peter's Harold Wood, pilgrims walked to St Andrew's Hornchurch.

After leaving St Peter's Harold Wood, pilgrims walked to St Andrew's Hornchurch.

Pilgrims at St Andrew's Hornchurch. In 1991 a stained glass window was installed to commemorate the six hundredth anniversary of St Andrew’s becoming a parish church. The design illustrates the history of the church.

Pilgrims pause at the site of the Hornchurch Passion Play

Arrival at St Alban's Romford

St Alban's Romford contains an extraordinary range of contemporary art works in many styles

Next stop, Holy Cross Hornchurch. The Pathfinder Window (pictured) is one of three known examples executed by Morris & Company and was adapted from the original painting by Ernest Stafford Carlos (1913) which is owned by the Scout Association.

After leaving Holy Cross Hornchurch, Pilgrims walked to Queen's Hospital where they visited St Luke's Chapel

St Luke's Chapel contains fused glass windows on the theme of Tree of Life, by Caroline Richardson (2009)

On to St Andrew's Romford. The East Window (1996) depicts the Transfiguration

A final photograph at St Andrew's Romford with Vicar Beth Joss Pothen, Area Dean the Rev'd Canon Ken Wylie, Archdeacon Chris and the Rev'd Julie Quintin.

Final stop of the Pilgrimage - St Edward's Romford. Pilgrims are pictured with two new Baptistery Windows, which are the work of Alison McCaffrey on the themes of baptismal water and Noah’s Ark respectively.