25th June 2026

County town church on national stage for BBC Sunday Worship broadcast

As part of its thoughtful and timely ‘Common Ground’ season, BBC Radio 4 this coming Sunday is broadcasting its well-known Sunday Worship programme from a Lancashire church. 

The church is St Matthew's in Burnley and the broadcast marks a special and significant opportunity for the town to be heard and represented on a national stage, bringing the life of a local parish directly into homes across the country.

The programme will focus on the important and deeply relevant theme of community cohesion, exploring how people from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences can come together in unity and mutual understanding.

Reflecting this theme, the Sunday Worship broadcast will feature a wide range of voices drawn not only from the church congregation but also from the wider local community, offering a rich and authentic expression of Burnley’s shared life.

Rev Victor Sohail (Curate in Charge, St John’s, Cliviger) will introduce the programme, helping to set the tone and context for the service.

Rev Kat Gregory-Witham (Associate Priest) will lead the act of worship itself, guiding listeners through the liturgy, while Fr Alex Frost (Vicar of St Matthew’s) will deliver the sermon, offering reflection and insight on the theme at the heart of the broadcast.

In keeping with the emphasis on diversity and inclusion, members of the congregation with international backgrounds will play an active role in the service, ensuring that a variety of perspectives and experiences are heard.

Music will also form a key part of the programme, with the church choir contributing a selection of beautiful hymns to enhance the worship and create a sense of shared participation. The service will draw to a close with words of blessing offered by Burnley’s Area Dean, Fr Andrew Holmes.

In response to being invited to host the broadcast, the Vicar of St Matthew's Fr Alex said: "We are delighted to represent our town and Diocese and our local community. As there is so much news about division and intolerance, we are excited to show the many gifts and talents of our diverse and international community.

"We are honoured to share with the nation examples of excellent community cohesion and demonstrate that loving our neighbours, should always be a prerequisite for those who follow Jesus.”

Meanwhile the Bishop of Burnley is delighted to hear of the visit by the BBC and added: “This broadcast is a hopeful witness to what God is doing in Burnley - drawing people together across cultures and stories, and reminding us that true community is built on love, respect, and a shared commitment to the common good.”

Listeners will be able to tune in to the broadcast on Sunday morning at 8.10am on BBC Radio 4.

For those unable to listen live, the programme will also be available afterwards on BBC Sounds and here on the BBC website – all of this providing further opportunity to engage with and reflect on this celebration of community life in Burnley.

Caption for above picture:

• St Matthew’s Church in Burnley will be the venue for this Sunday’s BBC ‘Sunday Worship programme