Let There Be Light: UK Cathedrals Using Illuminations To Draw Old And New Visitors
Cathedrals in the United Kingdom are discovering that light installations are attracting visitors of all faiths — and many who have none and in some cases have never entered a Christian house of worship before.
These immersive light art spectacles have become increasingly common across the country during the darker months of the year. Covering topics like life, space and time, artists use light in ways similar to how Renaissance painters once did, creating new ways of exploring faith and the world.
Light intertwines with the history of sacred spaces, guiding visitors on a pilgrimage through the building. The goal is not to teach, dictate a specific interpretation or be prescriptive but to evoke a spiritual response by encouraging visitors to think, reflect and engage with complex themes.
One of the leading proponents of this type of art is Luxmuralis, a collaborative group made up of a fine artist, composer and sound artist.
Peter Walker, lead artisitic director at Luxmuralis, said, “We are fine artists working in traditional ways, but we use projection, sound and light to tell the stories of these remarkable places in unique ways. It’s not animation or contrived art; it’s authentic fine artwork that respects the traditions of the church while bringing them into the 21st century through technology.
“It’s not about gimmicks, ‘paint-by-number’ lighting or the wow factor of technology. It’s about beautiful artwork that creates a spiritual experience. It’s about the artist, the experience and the emotions of the visitors.”
Luxmuralis' most recent project, called “Time,” recently premiered at Salisbury Cathedral and has since opened at Exeter Cathedral. The installation takes visitors on a journey through a series of light displays, from the dawn of time to explorations of theories like relativity, H.G. Wells' “The Time Machine,” wormholes and human activity across different eras.
“We’ve had people sitting on the floor of the nave for 30 to 40 minutes at a time, watching in awe,” Walker said. “People are mesmerized. We’ve had visitors who come in at 6:30 p.m. and stay until closing, totally absorbed. We often receive feedback saying, ‘It moved me. It was spiritual. It connected me with the cathedral.’”
Photos courtesy of Luxmuralis
At Ely Cathedral, the “Life” installation takes visitors on a contemplative journey from sunrise to sunset — offering an experience of natural beauty and humanity’s impact on the planet, all set against the backdrop of the cathedral’s interior.
Luxmuralis tailors each touring installation to suit the unique architecture and history of the building. New options are frequently introduced. For example, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London commissioned “Luminous” to transform the interior of the dome, drawing inspiration from the cathedral’s history and archives. Meanwhile, Winchester Cathedral is premiering “The Storytellers,” which focuses on literature, poetry and oral traditions.
Simon Lace, chief operating officer at Rochester Cathedral, said they “worked with Luxmuralis to create a show that could travel to other venues but would include specific references to Rochester.”
“The dragon featured in ‘Scriptorium’ is a direct reference to one of our greatest treasures, Textus Roffensis (the Book of Rochester),” he added.
Written between the years 1122 and 1124 by a monk scribe working in the cathedral’s scriptorium, the Textus contains “many important documents, including the earliest English law codes,” Lace said. “The Textus has only one illuminated page, which features four dragons. ‘Scriptorium’ was premiered in Rochester to mark the 900th anniversary of the completion of the Textus.”
With tickets selling out quickly at each event, it’s clear that the light installations are popular with the British public and tourists. At Salisbury Cathedral, the annual weeklong Sarum Lights festival, centered around a Luxmuralis light installation, attracts around 15,000 visitors and has consistently receives positive feedback.
“Light shows are an excellent way of fulfilling our mission,” Lace said. “They appeal to a broad family audience and introduce the cathedral and our services to people who might not otherwise visit. We know that 32% of the people attending this year’s light show were first-time visitors. Over 6,500 people saw the 2024 ‘Scriptorium’ show over five evenings.”
Lace said he believes that “introducing people to the cathedral through secular events generates increased interest in joining our worshiping community. We've noticed that the congregation at our main service, the Eucharist on Sunday mornings, is younger, more diverse and much more reflective of our local community.”
Walker said that the demand for these installations is growing.
“We are receiving more and more requests. The way we create our Luxmuralis installations is unique and specifically designed to work in cathedrals,” he said. “Our approach complements the art history, messages and communities these spaces serve. We are the only artists in the world who specialize in this form of projection, creating multiple works around spaces and offering visitors curated, immersive fine art experiences. We’re seeing increasing demand for our work and how we present it. We're also receiving significant interest and starting discussions around the world, including in the USA.”
Angela Youngman is a freelance journalist who has written for a wide range of national and international publications.