Remembering the Reformation

For Children, we hope you will enjoy Reformation Day – the Birthday of Protestantism with our Virtual Resources and Online material.

Reformation Day

At the time, few would have suspected that the sound of a hammer striking the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany, would soon be heard around the world and lead ultimately to the greatest transformation of Western society since the apostles first preached the Gospel throughout the Roman empire. Luther’s nailing of his ninety-five theses to the church door on October 31, 1517, provoked a debate that culminated finally in what we now call the Protestant Reformation. Historians still debate its origins and legacy, however, we believe it to be a great awakening of God and a move to revive faith and return from the error and superstition which had crept in.

We hope to be able to watch our Reformation Service on our Facebook page and enjoy our virtual exhibition which accompanies it, so please engage with our resources. The Exhibition tells the exciting story of a monk who risked his life and shattered the strength of the Roman Catholic Church, and a society that put sin up for sale – and the power of the printed word to challenge it all. The Reformation, our latest exhibition reveals a series of events that changed the course of history forever.

In October 1517, German monk and scholar Martin Luther began questioning the Catholic Church, particularly for its sale of ‘indulgences’, or sins that could be forgiven – for a price. Luther may have remained a little-known scholar but for the fact that his words took shape in printed form, reaching thinkers all over the world – including radical scholar William Tyndale, and one of history’s most notorious monarchs, King Henry VIII.

The Reformation is a journey through these tumultuous times. Visitors can find out how Luther’s work led to the splintering of the Catholic Church across Europe, and how Luther’s ideas went viral. Much like the digital communications revolution of the 21st century, the invention of the printing press meant that news, ideas and opinions could spread rapidly across the globe.

The Reformation explores the consequences and legacy of these events.