Over the Easter holidays, St Catharine’s Church in Gloucester was transformed into an interactive escape room with seven zones, taking families through the events of Holy Week in Jerusalem.
Over a hundred people from Kingsholm and other local areas visited the church over three days, solving puzzles, gathering hidden items, and uncovering the truth about Jesus. The idea came from father and daughter team Simon and Caitlin Cozens.
“Some friends in Nottingham created the escape room, and it was so successful in their church, we wanted to try it in ours,” said Caitlin. “They gave us the plans, and we adapted them for our church and put them into practice.”
The team spent three weeks gathering materials, building temporary partitions across the church building, baking bread rolls (containing a secret ingredient) and producing a stunning recreation of the Garden of Gethsemane in the toddler area. One of the congregation’s sons was pressed into service as a Roman centurion for the introductory video.
Simon said, “The escape room would also never have happened without the help of our incredible hosts and helpers who guided the teams through the experience.”
The feedback from the families was extremely positive.
“We really enjoyed it. It was a good challenge, but not too challenging so we were stuck, with elements suited to all ages. Ru’s favourite part was the Garden of Gethsemane.”
And as well as a fun family activity during the holidays, it was also an opportunity to spread the message of Easter.
“Did it with my grandkids who don’t go to church. So for me it was a modern way to get the Easter story across to them.”
Simon continued, “Will we be doing it again next year? Maybe it won’t be another escape room, but it will definitely be something new and unique!”
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