[ACNS, Rachel Farmer] A crazy golf course has been installed in a Church of England cathedral at Rochester in Kent to help build bridges with young people. 

Although worship services will continue as normal, the medieval nave has been transformed by a green and various bridges which visitors can send their golf balls through while being inspired by the architecture. 

The Revd. Rachel Phillips, Canon for Mission and Growth at Rochester Cathedral, said: “For over 1,400 years, Rochester Cathedral has been a centre of learning for the community. By temporarily installing an educational adventure golf course we aim to continue that mission, giving people the opportunity to learn while they take part in a fun activity, inz````` what for many might be a previously un-visited building. 

She said the course forms the centrepiece of a ‘Building Bridges’ theme running through the summer. 

“As well as the physical bridge which has stood over the River Medway since Roman times,” she explained. “The invisible but equally historic links between the Cathedral and the surrounding community are also bridges of a kind; we hope that, while playing adventure golf, visitors will reflect on the bridges that need to be built in their own lives and in our world today.” 

The nine-hole course was designed and paid for by Rochester Bridge Trust and includes a model of the original Roman bridge at Rochester. 

Andrew Freeman, Operations Manager at the Rochester Bridge Trust, said: “Joining forces with the Cathedral to set up this educational activity within such a stunning setting is the ideal opportunity to reach out to the community and get families and young people thinking about bridges while they have fun.” 

However, the move proved controversial and faced criticism from some clergy on social media who said the Cathedral had forgotten theology and was intent on making money.