From the liminal to the lateral: urban religion in English cathedrals

English cathedrals, including Durham Castle and Cathedral, blend high cultural value with adaptable liturgical practices, making them popular destinations that transcend traditional sacred-secular divides. Research shows these sites facilitate 'lateral' ritual engagement—where formal and informal, official and personal practices intertwine—challenging conventional notions of liminality in urban religious spaces. By analyzing data from four cathedrals (Canterbury, Durham, Westminster, York), the study highlights how visitors navigate complex, fluid interactions with heritage sites, suggesting that ambiguous or less visible behaviors hold significant sociological weight. This approach reframes encounters between diverse publics and sacred spaces, emphasizing laterality as a key concept for understanding contemporary urban religion.

Coleman, S. (2018). From the liminal to the lateral: urban religion in English cathedrals. Tourism Geographies, 21(3), 384–404. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2018.1449236