People from across Liverpool’s faith communities came together for the annual L8 Faith Walk, opening the doors of their places of worship and inviting one another to learn, listen and build lasting connections.
Organised by Faiths4Change and Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre, the L8 Faith Walk took participants on a journey through some of Liverpool’s most iconic places of worship, beginning at St Philip Neri Church before visiting the Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas, and Princes Road Synagogue ( Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation), concluding the evening at and Al-Rahma Mosque where participants had the opportunity to ask questions directly to faith leaders in an open and welcoming setting.
More than a walk, the event was an invitation to step inside one another’s communities, discover different traditions and explore the values that unite people of all faiths.
Throughout the evening, participants learned about the history and beliefs of each faith community, shared food together and took time to ask questions that encouraged greater understanding.
One participant described the experience as “a beautiful thing”.
“It’s a beautiful thing to see people from different walks of life, different faiths and different backgrounds coming together. We may have different faiths, but we are all human. We are one.”
For many, the opportunity to meet people they might not otherwise encounter was one of the day’s highlights.
One participant said: “We’re not only coming together, but sharing in the things we have in common and asking questions about each other’s faith. I get to meet people I wouldn’t usually meet and learn about different faiths and cultures.”
As participants walked between each venue, conversations continued beyond the walls of the buildings themselves. New friendships were formed, experiences were shared and common ground was discovered.
Reflecting on the day, Revd Dr Philip Anderson, who serves as the Rector of Liverpool said: “We’ve walked between churches, a synagogue and finished at the mosque, learning about each other’s faith. Its pretty unique what happens here.
“It enables us to communicate the values that transcend the differences between our faiths.”
Aimee Fontenot, Chief Executive Officer at Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre said “L8 has long been a beacon of unity, community and hope. At a time of division and dangerous rhetoric around difference, the Interfaith Walk is an important reminder of all that is good about our neighbourhood. We hope participants left with new connections and a greater understanding of, and empathy for, their neighbours across all faiths and communities.
As Aimee highlighted, in a time when division can often dominate headlines, the L8 Faith Walk offers a different story. It demonstrates the power of conversation, curiosity and shared experiences to break down barriers and build trust between communities.
The event is also a reflection of Liverpool’s long-standing commitment to being a welcoming city, where people of all faiths and backgrounds are encouraged to come together, celebrate their differences and recognise the values they share. By creating spaces for meaningful dialogue and genuine connection, initiatives like the L8 Faith Walk help strengthen community cohesion and remind us that Liverpool’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths.
As another participant summed up:
“Our cultures, religions and traditions may be different, but we recognise that we are all one. We are human. Liverpool is making it happen, and it’s a good time to be in Liverpool.”
