The Diocese of Leicester will mark its Centenary in 2026–27 with a rich programme of worship, storytelling, civic events and church community participation, giving thanks for 100 years of God’s faithfulness and looking ahead with hope.
Celebrations will begin with a service at Leicester Cathedral on Saturday 12 September and a diocesan gathering on the afternoon of Sunday 13 September, to which everyone is invited, and will welcome the newly enthroned Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, to Leicester.
Other key dates include the Centenary Day on Thursday 12 November 2026 and the Centenary of the Cathedral’s hallowing on Sunday 21 February 2027, framed by a series of engagements and activities across Leicester and Leicestershire.
Other special services at the Cathedral, and a Thanksgiving Eucharist on Centenary Day, alongside historic photo recreations and celebration of our parishes and church schools will help mark 100 years since the Diocese was formed.
Civic and community partners will also be involved, with invitations extended to leaders and organisations across the city and county.
Throughout the centenary period there will be a series of “Together for the Centenary” services held in parishes around the Diocese, combining thanksgiving for the past, honest lament for failings, and prayerful hope for the future. Music, words and symbols from the past 100 years will sit alongside today’s diverse and intercultural expressions of worship.
Stories will be at the heart of the Centenary. 'Stories of Faith and Hope' will capture voices from across the Diocese, including parishes, schools, chaplaincies and community, through written reflections and a video series.
Young people and church schools will play an important role, contributing creative content, collective worship resources and multilingual video greetings celebrating belonging to something bigger.
The Centenary will also inspire heritage projects, walking trails, displays, prayer resources, and environmentally friendly merchandise.
Together, these events and initiatives will celebrate our Diocese’s past, affirm our present calling, and renew our commitment to serve future generations.
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:5
The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester said: “The Centenary is a time to give thanks for God’s faithfulness to our Diocese across a hundred years and look forward with hope to all that God is still calling us to be.
“Rooted in prayer, shaped by our stories, and enriched by our diversity, we mark this milestone not simply to remember the past, but to renew our commitment to serve the people of Leicester and Leicestershire through Christ Jesus for generations to come.
“As our centenary period unfolds, I look forward to the opportunities we will have to come together, to listen, to worship, and to share this celebration across our communities.”
The Very Revd Karen Rooms, Dean of Leicester said: “The Cathedral is excited to celebrate 100 years together with the Diocese of Leicester, the city of Leicester, and the wider county.
“For a century, this Cathedral has been a place of worship, music, learning, creativity, and community. A place where people gather in joy and in sorrow. A place that belongs to Leicester.
“It has been particularly special in recent years to worship with parishes throughout the Diocese with our ‘Together with Leicester Cathedral’ project – sharing services of Choral Evensong with the Cathedral Choir and making friends and partnerships across the county.
“In the coming year we will celebrate a century of faith, a century of music, a century of learning and a century of culture & community.
“We will provide a hundred ways we can reflect on our history, our faith, and our context and imagine our future through concerts and festivals, exhibitions, community and family events, and school projects and education.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dame Sarah Mullally said: “The Diocese of Leicester's centenary year is a testament to God's steadfast and enduring love, and his faithfulness to all generations.
"Being invited to celebrate with Bishop Martyn and the people of Leicester and Leicestershire in September is a real privilege. While we celebrate one hundred years of this diverse diocese, we also look forward with hope, giving thanks for the ways that God is at work across its parishes and rural churches, its church schools, interfaith projects and hospital chaplaincies.”
For now, save the September dates. We’ll bring you further information, news and ways to get involved – soon!
Service at Leicester Cathedral: Saturday 12 September
Gathering for Everyone: Sunday 13 September (Afternoon)