In the summer holidays, many people will visit our churches when they are empty and quiet.

It is amazing how many beautiful building, large and small, have been built in so many styles to the glory of God.

Of course there are some things built to the glory of man and his ego. I have in my mind’s eye a church where a tomb was built touching the altar, to prevent the priest celebrating the Eucharist from the south end of the altar – which seemed important then; or the monument to a long-forgotten local worthy which is larger than the altar.

Usually there is in these quiet churches a feeling of sanctity and peace: that this is a holy place. I do not think this comes just from the beautiful architecture. The church was, after all, designed to be full of people and to help their worship.

My sense is that the worshipers leave something behind when they go back out into the world.

As if this place is made holy by the prayers of thousands of people over hundreds of years. And, as prayer is a two-way conversation with God, then this place is made holy by God’s response.

But just as we, the regular Sunday worshipers, leave behind something of our prayers with God for the blessing of an unknown visitor during the week: so perhaps, the visitor will pray for the priest and congregation, who are the real Church in this place.

Christopher Bradbury Reader St Mary’s Windermere, & Jesus Church Troutbeck