The image of the country church in particular is one that many of us cherish, with its lych-gate, yew-trees and overgrown cemetery. These were the churches so beloved of the late Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, and also of playwright and broadcaster Alan Bennett. Many are in an advanced state of disrepair these days, and rely on public appeals and Lottery funding for their upkeep.

The appeal of parish churches lies not just in their architectural beauty, but also in the sound of church bells, the voices of the choirs and the faintly fusty smell of old hymn-books. They also, we should add, serve a primary spiritual function for legions of the devout.