The parish system of our Established Church is in a quandary. It is either an essay in sameness or it demonstrates Christian variety. If sameness is a virtue, then the campaign directing readers to ‘A church near you’ is just what is needed. If variety is a virtue, then a survey of local churches of the kind Robert Stanier undertook is appropriate.
If we pursue the notion of variety, we may start with Leeds. The parish church has a long tradition of excellence in music. St George’s, Leeds sets a hot pace with its emphasis on meeting local needs on the streets. Further north Hexham parish church with its ancient crypt is an exemplar of the continuing worship in the Border despite the fire and fury of that region. Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon makes the most of its thoroughly English character with its alliance with Shakespeare, much as Hardy makes the reader feel at home in Wessex, in Corfe parish church, for example.
Clapham parish church found itself making a distinctive contribution to the freeing of slaves and the preaching of the Gospel overseas. Wisbech produced a back-room boy (Thomas Clarkson) whose research made public policy on these issues acceptable. Walthamstow parish church, north London found itself involved in a project guided by its rector Vanessa Conant that required extensive reshaping of the church interior to facilitate drama.
These were enterprises coming from parishes – bottom up rather than top-down. Local people did what came to hand in localities where need was apparent. Some parish churches in the 19th century were paid for by public subscription. . Others were renovated after decades of neglect. A very small number were new design, new-build, renouncing neo-gothic in favour of freedom of expression. St John’s, Ermine, Lincoln is one such. Built during the Commonwealth, Berwick-on-Tweed parish church is almost unique It nudges its northern neighbour in the other Established Church of this realm.
Parish churches do not all harbour talent and fresh thinking. But parish churches can claim a lion’s share in parish loyalty – and that is a much needed commodity at the present time.
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