Claire McCollum visits Olney in Buckinghamshire to celebrate 250 years of one of the most popular hymns in the world, Amazing Grace.\n\nOn 1 January 1773, John Newton’s now famous words were first performed in the parish church where he was curate. 250 years on, Claire visits that same church to discover the remarkable story behind the hymn, the extraordinary life of its composer and the reasons for the composition’s enduring power.\n\nIn Olney, Claire meets local experts who reflect on the life of John Newton, from his early years of debauchery as a sailor and then as a slave trader to his later life as a dedicated clergy man, hymn writer and abolitionist. Claire hears how a moment of epiphany at sea sparked a deep Christian that faith helped him to realise the full horror of his actions and compelled him to spend the rest of his life serving others and striving to abolish the evil of slavery.\n\nClaire also meets 30-year-old Jordan Hattee, who shares his own experience of God’s amazing grace - when finding faith rescued him from addiction and despair.\n\nAnd Mark DeLisser meets fellow choir master Craig McLeish, who has formed a new gospel choir especially for the Amazing Grace anniversary. Around a piano, they discuss the enduring power of Newton’s words and the mystery of what tune they may have first been set to. Mark then joins the gospel choir rehearsing in Newton’s church and hears why it is so special to sing the hymn in the place where it was composed, exactly 250 years on.\n\nWith hymns and songs from around the UK celebrating the grace of God.\n \nMusic featured \n1. Amazing Grace – Albert Hall, Nottingham\n2. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross – St Patrick’s Church, Dungannon\n3. Amazing Grace (He Looked Beyond My Faults) – Brenda Edwards, Llandaff Cathedral\n4. This Is Amazing Grace – Aberystwyth Arts Centre \n5. There Is a Wideness in God’s Mercy – St Elizabeth’s Church, Reddish\n6. And Can It Be – St Pol De Leon, Penzance
Source: BBC 1
Mothering Sunday
It’s Mothering Sunday, and Claire McCollum is meeting women inspired by their faith to nurture and care for others.\n \nIn Leicester, Claire visits a ‘Baby Basics&rs ...
30-03-2025
BBC 1
Celebrating Neurodiversity
The Rev Kate Bottley is in Cheshire to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week by meeting Christians who champion their strengths and challenge the stereotypes of their conditions. ...
23-03-2025
BBC 1
Sermon On The Mount
Sean Fletcher returns to Ripon College Cuddesdon, a theological training college near Oxford, for the second of two special episodes exploring Jesus’ most famous and revol ...
16-03-2025
BBC 1
The Lord's Prayer
Sean Fletcher visits Ripon College Cuddesdon, a theological college near Oxford, to explore one of the world’s most famous, influential and powerful prayers, spoken by bil ...
09-03-2025
BBC 1
Faith And Laughter
The Rev Kate Bottley explores the belief that laughter is a gift from God and meets clowns and comedians who explain how humour and joy profoundly connect them with their faith. ...
02-03-2025
BBC 1
Art In Churches
Claire McCollum discovers spectacular wall paintings in a Yorkshire village church and explores how traditional and modern art can bring stories of faith alive.\n\nSt Michael an ...
23-02-2025
BBC 1
The Joy Of Choral Singing
Aled Jones explores the joy of being in a choir and joins a packed congregation in Huddersfield Town Hall for some rousing hymns, led by the world-renowned Huddersfield Choral S ...
16-02-2025
BBC 1
Belfast's Religious Gems
Claire McCollum is in Belfast, discovering some of the hidden religious gems in the churches of her home city.\n\nWith so much to see, Claire enlists the help of two local Chris ...
09-02-2025
BBC 1
Facing Cancer With Faith
Ahead of World Cancer Day on 4 February, the Rev Kate Bottley meets Christians affected by cancer and explores how their faith sustains them.\n\nKate meets minister and Britain& ...
02-02-2025
BBC 1
Barbara Dickson's Faith And Music
Pam Rhodes is in Edinburgh to meet renowned singer and actress Barbara Dickson to find out about her journey of faith and the music that has shaped it. \n\nThe pair meet at a f ...
26-01-2025
BBC 1
The Lord's Prayer
Sean Fletcher visits Ripon College Cuddesdon, a theological college near Oxford, to explore one of the world’s most famous, influential and powerful prayers, spoken by bil ...
09-03-2025
BBC 1
Spirit Of The Highlands
Claire McCollum joins Christians aboard a tour boat on Loch Ness to find out about the 6th-century legend of St Columba’s encounter with the Loch Ness monster! Also, on th ...
17-07-2022
BBC 1
Daniel O'donnell’s Faith Journey
Claire McCollum is in Ireland to meet the ever-popular Daniel O’Donnell as he celebrates his 60th birthday to find out how his strong Catholic faith motivates his life and ...
26-12-2021
BBC 1
Celebrating Neurodiversity
The Rev Kate Bottley is in Cheshire to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week by meeting Christians who champion their strengths and challenge the stereotypes of their conditions. ...
23-03-2025
BBC 1
Katherine Jenkins' Faith Journey
Katherine Jenkins journeys back to her childhood church in Neath, south Wales, for Advent. She meets family and friends to reflect on her Christian faith and explores how it has ...
09-12-2018
BBC 1
St Valentine's Day
As St Valentine's Day approaches, Katherine Jenkins visits the Tower of London where it is thought the earliest recorded valentine was written in the 15th century. She explores ...
10-02-2019
BBC 1
Finding Hope
On Palm Sunday, Aled Jones visits Oxford to celebrate stories of hope and meets Professor Andy Pollard, one of the leading scientists behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.\n\nA ...
28-03-2021
BBC 1
Sermon On The Mount
Sean Fletcher returns to Ripon College Cuddesdon, a theological training college near Oxford, for the second of two special episodes exploring Jesus’ most famous and revol ...
16-03-2025
BBC 1
Christmas Day Carols From Cardiff
Aled Jones presents a Christmas Day edition of Songs of Praise from Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff. The Cathedral Choir leads the singing and performs In the Bleak Mid-Winter. So ...
25-12-2022
BBC 1
Art In Churches
Claire McCollum discovers spectacular wall paintings in a Yorkshire village church and explores how traditional and modern art can bring stories of faith alive.\n\nSt Michael an ...
23-02-2025
BBC 1