Berkley Center

Christianity has played a major, formative role in the development of England, Scotland, and Wales since its arrival in the British Isles in the first century. Today, however, it faces new challenges, as do all Britain's religious groups. The Christian Heritage Centre documents the history of Christianity in Britain through an extensive, one-of-a-kind collection of Christian artifacts, relics, and documents for public education and academic study. Its founders see Christianity’s influence in the United Kingdom as a powerful force for good because of the religion's defense of liberty and free conscience, its promise of salvation, and its praise of virtue as a way of life for all people. They also point to the formative impact of British Christianity on the United States and the American concept of religious freedom. Among its other roles, the Christian Heritage Centre serves to remind all of us that religion, and religious freedom, play vital roles in the flourishing of societies everywhere.

The Christian Heritage Centre’s royal patron, Lord Nicholas Windsor; Centre curator, Jan Graffius; and its chairman, Professor Lord Alton, discussed the organization and explored the role of Christianity in Britain historically and in the contemporary world, including in the development of the concept and practice of religious freedom. The Religious Freedom Project's Tom Farr moderated the discussion.

Three of the center's artifacts were on display at the Berkley Center during the talk: school books owned by Daniel, Charles, and John Carroll (the founder of Georgetown University), a crucifix owned by St. Thomas More, and the prayer book of Elizabeth of York.