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PARISH CHURCH
A parish church, in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church is fundamental to the life of the community.
The church building reflects this status, and there is considerable variety in the size and style of parish churches. Many villages in Europe have churches that date back to the Middle Ages, but all periods of architecture are represented.
Larger towns and cities, even those with cathedrals, still have parishes and parish churches. However, by the late 20th and early 21st century, with the decline in the number of worshippers and the shortage of parish priests, there has been a trend towards team/shared ministry and many parish churches no longer have a service every Sunday.
Some notable parish churches in Britain:
- St Peter's Church, Barton-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire (Saxon tower)
- St Botolph's Church, Boston, Lincolnshire
- St Mary Redcliffe's Church, Bristol
- St Martin's Church, Canterbury, Kent (oldest church in England)
- St Wulfram's Church, Grantham, Lincolnshire (14th century spire)
- St Michael's Church, Lewes, Sussex (round tower)
- St Illtyd's Church, Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan (medieval wall paintings)
- St Andrew's Church, Plymouth, Devon (rebuilt after World War II)
- Holy Trinity Church, Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire (claims to be the largest parish church in the country)
- St Georges Minster, Doncaster - Large Victorian parish church built by Sir George Gilbert Scott
References
- Pevsner, N.; et al. (1951-74). The Buildings of England, 46 vols., London: Penguin Books.
- Jenkins, Simon (1999). England's Thousand Best Churches, photog. Paul Barker, London: Allen Lane. ISBN 0713992816.
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