Wrexham church awarded prestigious faith-science grant

A church in Wrexham is one of only seven in England and Wales to have been awarded funding to explore the relationship between science and faith.

St Mark’s Church in Caia Park, in partnership with Xplore! based in Wrexham, will receive a grant of up to £10,000 to run a series of community engagement events in eight churches across North-East Wales. It is part of the Scientists in Congregations programme, run by Equipping Christian Leader in an Age of Science (ECLAS).

By integrating faith elements into engaging science activities, these events will serve as an initial step in familiarising people with church spaces and providing a unique opportunity for the local community to discover what their church offers.

By bridging the gap between faith and science, these activities will promote curiosity, learning, and spiritual growth

Elaine Smith, the project lead for St Mark’s: Xplore! Community Events in Church said: “We’re thrilled to have received a Scientists In Congregations grant from the ECLAS project. We know that the sort of events we’re planning can have a profound impact on communities. They create an inclusive environment where families can come together, fostering a sense of belonging and breaking down preconceived notions about church participation. By bridging the gap between faith and science, these activities will promote curiosity, learning, and spiritual growth among attendees. Children will gain exposure to both scientific concepts and faith teachings in a fun and supportive setting, potentially igniting a lifelong interest in both areas.”

In preparation for these community events, Xplore! and St. Mark’s, Caia Park, will be offering two training sessions titled “How to Incorporate Science into Your Faith Sessions” for church group activity providers and church club leaders. These sessions will equip leaders with resources and strategies to integrate science activities into their faith-based teaching, making faith sessions more engaging for all age groups.

Since their initial collaboration with ELCAS, St Mark’s and Xplore have successfully hosted an annual free event at St Giles Church in Wrexham (left) every July. This event consistently attracts many visitors each year, allowing them to experience the wonder of science within a place of worship. The success of this event highlights the community’s appetite for such innovative and inclusive initiatives. The most recent event attracted more than 900 visitors.

Scientists in Congregations is an ecumenical programme, and the range of denominations taking part this year includes the Coptic Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Pentecostal Churches as well as the Church of England and Church in Wales.