Sharing our Stories
A National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project, cataloguing and preserving the historical archive items of St Walburge’s Church, Preston.
Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund
The Sharing our Stories project exists thanks to the generous support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Without National Lottery players, the work of cataloguing, conserving, and sharing the heritage of St Walburge’s with the wider community would not have been possible. We are grateful for their continued commitment to preserving the heritage of communities across the country.
About the Project
Sharing our Stories is part of Sharing our History, All Under One Roof, a National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project based at St Walburge’s Church in Preston.
At its heart is a significant collection of historical documents and photographs that have been held by the church for generations. These records tell the story of the parish and the community that has gathered around it.
The work of this project is to bring that collection properly into the light. Volunteers and students are cataloguing and conserving the material alongside professionals from Lancashire Archives, preparing it for permanent deposit where it will be preserved and made accessible for future research.
What we’ve found
The Archive
A century and a half of parish life is held in the parish archive. Explore some of the most interesting finds, organised around the themes our volunteers chose to research.
![Vintage collage on black background with torn edges: Top — 1924 black-and-white group photo of clergy at a church consecration. Bottom left — May crowning ceremony with a woman placing flowers on a Virgin Mary statue, surrounded by children. Right — handwritten letter dated 1950/1957, signed by J. [surname], beginning “I recommend myself to your prayers…”](https://staging.benpopedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/home-updates-final.webp)
Project News & Updates
A record of the project as it has developed. From the first boxes opened at St Walburge’s to the items now catalogued, conserved, and handed over to Lancashire Archives for long-term preservation, this is where we have documented the work as it happened.
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Ian, Volunteer
Connecting our community, sharing our heritage.
What begins as archiving becomes something more. A community discovering its own history. The work of Sharing our Stories is carried out by a dedicated group of volunteers and students who give their time to handle, catalogue, and research the archive.
The Exhibition
The project will culminate in a public exhibition at St Walburge’s, giving you the chance to see the discoveries, stories, and archive material we’ve uncovered in person.
About St Walburge’s
St Walburge’s is a Roman Catholic church in the heart of Preston, served by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP) and forming part of the Diocese of Lancaster. Its spire is one of the tallest in England and a landmark on the Preston skyline, visible for miles around.
Designed by Joseph Hansom and consecrated in 1854, St Walburge’s stands among the finest examples of Victorian Gothic architecture in Britain. Its 309-foot spire is the tallest of any parish church in England.
Interested in working with the archive?
From academic research to local heritage projects, there are many ways to make use of the St Walburge’s archive. Get in touch with our project coordinator to find out more.