Visits to a church building are an essential part of the RE curriculum. Most churches are very willing to accommodate such a visit and church members will usually be available to help explain to pupils about the building, various artefacts, how these are used and about what Christians believe. This will bring the visit alive for the pupils. Approach the church leader or the church office to arrange a visit. These details are usually on a church notice board or their website. Before you visit, check out toilet facilities and whether there will be refreshments etc.
If possible, arrange a visit to a church when a service of worship is happening so that pupils can experience Christian worship with people in the church, rather than just visiting an empty building. A visit to a special service such as a baptismal service will be particularly interesting. Church leaders are usually willing to explain, or even role-play with the pupils, special services like weddings. It may not be appropriate to visit a funeral service, but a church leader talking about death, bereavement and funerals may be invaluable preparation for some pupils.
Different branches (denominations) of the Christian church have different types of building reflecting the most significant aspects of their particular belief. A Baptist church will have a very prominent pulpit from where Bible teaching takes place and a baptistery where adults can be baptised by being totally immersed in the water. An Anglican church will have a font for baptising infants. Some non-conformist Protestant churches, like a Free Evangelical church, will have no decorations or religious artefacts at all. Many new churches meet in multipurpose buildings which have conference facilities and seminar rooms, and also act as the base for their offices, administration and a seven days a week activity centre. Older pupils will benefit from visits to different types of churches to help them understand the reality and impact of Christian faith and the spectrum of beliefs within the Christian church.