Our rich programme aims to provide opportunities for both new and existing visitors to experience the heritage of the church through live interactions.
It is fantastic to be welcomed into a church as a visitor and get to enjoy its heritage.
Most events are free: a donation from every visitor helps us enormously.
Some events are ticketed: ticket sales income helps us to sustain the programme.
Please come back regularly to this page to check for updates.
Hidden Spaces Tours
Saturday 13 September 2025, 11.45am
Saturday 27 September 2025, 11.45am
Saturday 11 October 2025, 11.45am
Saturday 25 October 2025, 11.45am
Saturday 8 November 2025, 11.45am
Saturday 22 November 2025, 11.45am
Saturday 6 December 2025, 11.45am
Saturday 20 December 2025, 11.45am
Join our knowledgeable Tour Guides to discover spaces usually closed to the public and hear about the colourful lives of those who served and worshipped in this amazing space. Peer into the crypt’s vault and imagine how these would have looked 200 years ago and get a 360-degree view of the church and its suspended ceiling – the largest in Europe when built in the early 18th century – from the galleries.
Ticket £9, book
here on Eventbrite
Reclaiming Narratives: commonly called by the name of Esther Smith
A powerful poetry reading evening inspired by the many untold stories of Black people connected to St Alfege Church through the centuries.
Friday 19 September 2025, 6pm - 9pm
This event is part of Heritage Open Days 2025
Free, donations welcome. Pre-booking preferred (link here).
Join acclaimed Writers/Artists Highwater Ell, Kandace Siobhan Walker and many others as they take us on a journey of discovery through the transformative power of poetry. Reclaiming Narratives will present established and new writers who will share original works that illuminate the rich, complex and hidden stories of Black people connected to St Alfege Church.
Reclaiming Narratives: commonly called by the name of Esther Smith takes inspiration from an original document at Lambeth Palace Library: Petition from Esther Smith, a slave, to Archbishop Secker, 19 July 1760. In this petition, Esther asked to be baptised at St Alfege Church, but her enslaver opposed her baptism. In 2025, two acclaimed Writers/Artists from a Global Majority background were invited to lead a series of creative writing workshops, taking the story of Esther Smith as a starting point for conversation. Kandace Siobhan Walker and Highwater Ell guided a group of participants in uncovering hidden stories of Black people connected to St Alfege Church through the power of creative writing.
A small publication will be available during the evening. Authors (in alphabetical order):
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Victoria Ajoku
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Viviane Blanchard
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Highwater Ell
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Michelle Mangal
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Lorraine Palmer
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Elizabeth Uter
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Kandace Siobhan Walker
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Anitta Yoppan
St Alfege Church's crypt will be open for visits from 6pm to 6.30pm.
Reading will start at 6.30pm.
You can also watch the YouTube livestream here: https://youtube.com/live/EpMZ83_9DgU?feature=share
Funded by the Royal Borough of Greenwich for Black History 365
Crypt Open Days
Saturday 13 September 2025, 1pm - 3.30pm
Peer into the crypt's vaults and imagine how these would have looked 200 years ago. Discover spaces usually closed to the public and hear about the colourful lives of those who served and worshipped in this amazing space.
Free, donations welcome. Drop-in, no booking required.
Untold Stories: Women in St Alfege Tour
Coming back in September 2025 during Heritage Open Days (dates to be announced)
Join us to hear the fascinating stories of women connected to St Alfege Church and the role they played through the centuries – from organists to bellringers, from scientists to suffragettes. Get a unique chance to visit the bell ringing chamber and take a closer look at rare historic manuscripts from the church’s archive.
Free Children's Heritage Trail
Available through the year during opening times
Calling all young people and their families! Take a step back in time and discover more than 1000 years of history with our free resources for families. Go on a special mission, explore the church, complete the trail and get an explorer’s stamp!
Drop-in, no need to book. Ask one of our friendly volunteers. Free, donations welcome.
Heritage Open Days
12 - 21 September 2025. Please come back regularly to check for updates.
Join us during England’s largest festival of history and culture! Come and celebrate our heritage through a rich programme of free tours.
Free, donations welcome
