Comment on Parish Church
As a child I found Greenstead Church featured in the article on Parish Churches, by accident, wandering around the neighbourhood where I lived. It had what they described as a leper squint at the side of the Nave. I often went there not only to enjoy the peace and tranquility, but also it was like a time machine, where the feudal lord used to make the Villeins work in the fields and collect tithes, and the pond nearby had a ducking stool in it for punishing the villagers who dared criticise the Lord. There was always the creepy feeling that a small village like Greenstead would have treated a leper or two as outcasts from society, except for their Christian beliefs which would have enabled them to worship God, albeit from afar.
Comment on Parish Church posted 2007-07-19 by Rosmary Ralph from Mexico
Comment on Parish Church
Many are hundreds of years old, quite often the oldest buildings in their respective towns and villages. These impressive landmarks can be seen in every corner of every county in England. Their architecture may have foreign influences but they are a uniquely english design. And amazingly there are very few that look the same! Not as grand as cathederals, but they have been an integral part of the life of ordinary english families for many generations.
Comment on Parish Church posted 2007-03-30 by Nick Wakelam from Swindon
Comment on Parish Church
There is a special charm and serenity about a country church, set in farmland, used and loved by the village. These are special small pilgrim places for all to share.
Comment on Parish Church posted 2007-02-23 by John Scholefield from Long Crendon, Bucks
Comment on Parish Church
I am avery keen church visitor and have been for 30 years.I have a little story that might be intersting to mr Thurley regarding Burnham on sea parish church and its reredos.This was a work of Grinling Gibbons for Whitehall palace's catholic chapel as ordered by James 2nd.The piece was removed during Williams reign and found its way to Hampton court in1708 having escaped the fire at whitehall. Queen Anne gave it to Westminster abbey where it remained the main altarpiece until 1820 when the dean thought such aclassical piece in appropriate as preparations for the future coronation were under way,the piece was offdered to W king bisop of Rochester who had close former ties with the abbey as did his diocese.The parish of burnham being a somewhat far flung outpost of rochester due to some un scrupulous fixing inyears gone by. Any way the altarpiece has been dismantled at various times parts were found in Humberside among other places,but what is there enriches an otherwise unremarkable building.The piece was designed by C wren himself but executed by Gibbons and A Quellin and is in various parts of the church.
Comment on Parish Church posted 2006-12-21 by phillip shepherd from 21 walcott way dunkeswell Devon.
Comment on Parish Church
Imagine the scene - a church tower (or spire) rising out of the early morning mist - it's quintessentially English. For hundreds of years the parish church has been a major focal point in country life. No two churches are ever the same - whether admired from the distance for their striking architectural beauty or enjoyed from within as a brief sanctuary from our hectic lives, offering a calming sense of peace and hope. They offer a rich tapestry of English history and culture, which can be appreciated by everyone, no matter what faith or creed.
Comment on Parish Church posted 2006-12-14 by Virginia Haydon from cotswolds
Comment on Parish Church
The parish church has, for centuries, been the focus of community life in Britain and has seen massive changes throughout our history. In times of both triumph and tragedy these buildings have been there, with their bells pealing for joy or muffled in mourning. To call these buildings irrelevant is, I feel, a severe underestimation of the strength of their place in the national psyche. Whether you are a Christian or not, i'm sure that there are very few who do not appreciate the iconic status of the humble parish church - built with love, faith and passion and maintained with pride and dignity by the parishes which they have watched over for centuries.
Comment on Parish Church posted 2006-08-07 by Tristan Billing from Devon
Comment on Parish Church
These wonderful buildings were built by people with love in their hearts and are unique to the British Isles. Each church is different and they are all so full of history.
Comment on Parish Church posted 2006-07-07 by Jo Elliott from Essex
Comment on Parish Church
Traditionally a place of sanctuary, refuge, celebration, mourning,community, great architecture. No other country has these ,instantly recognisable for what they are, many have literally stood the test of time.
Comment on Parish Church posted 2006-07-07 by Kerri Haseldine from Sheffield
Comment on Parish Church
I don't agree with the comment that parish churches are irrelevant. At their best they serve their village communities in a very real and caring way. There is often a sense that they belong to everybody, not just the faithful few who turn up on Sunday morning - if you doubt this, just try to make one redundant and wait for the howls of protest!
Comment on Parish Church posted 2006-04-28 by Dora Cutts from Oxfordshire
Comment on Parish Church
As Britain becomes incresingly enlightened and secular the anachronism of parish churches seem ever more irrelevant.
Comment on Parish Church posted 2006-02-20 by Keith from London, UK
Comment on Parish Church
I would be interested to gain contact with the church where I believe my Grandfather, Godfrey Bannister, was an active member in the early 1900's. I am writing from the e-mail address of my friend.
Comment on Parish Church posted 2008-01-02 by Mrs J Stark from Cleveland