The history of Christianity in Leicestershire is a long and varied one, stretching back to the days of the Roman Empire. The oldest surviving church building in the area dates back to 880 AD, and the Dominican order has maintained a continuous presence in Leicester since the 13th century. Non-conformists were strongly established in Leicester starting in the mid-18th century, and St. Martin's Church was consecrated as Leicester's cathedral in 1927. Today, Leicester has the second lowest percentage of Christians of any town or city in England and Wales, but Christians are still the largest religious community here. At the core of Christianity lies the belief that life does not end with death, but rather continues on in some form.
This faith teaches that salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned through any action taken by humans. To live a life that reflects this belief, Christians strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ and adhere to the virtues of faith, hope, and love. Christianity is by far the most popular religion in Britain, with over 41 million adherents according to the 2001 census. The two most important Christian holidays are Christmas and Easter, which celebrate the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ respectively. Other Christian denominations have their own beliefs about Jesus and his teachings that differ from conventional Christianity. Finally, Christians believe that the Holy Spirit permeates all life and creation, so it is possible to find spiritual content in everything.
This belief has enabled Christianity to remain adaptable and flexible enough to survive and thrive throughout its long history.
