By John Cole

1 - Deep Rural

An ancient parish church (C. of E. of course!) stands close to the centre of a small, fairly stable and close-knit community. Most folk are still associated with work on the land, though many are retired and some of the cottage property has been bought up by wealthy weekenders, a very few of whom just might attend the church.

A strong sense lingers among the villagers that this is their church, whether they go to it or stay away; and, since most have lived here for generations and are inter-related, all newcomers (including the Vicar who now lives some miles away) have to tread warily.

There may be very little explicit community life or facilities (shop, recreation, women’s organisations etc) but a general sense of a united community often remains.

Two interesting variants:

1. Where the parish church was built by the leading landowner in the 19th century, or where the whole village was moved (maybe some centuries ago), Ieaving the church as virtually the private chapel to the big house: here the sense of communal ownership of the church will be much less, and might even verge on hostility. Sometimes the non-conformist chapel becomes the focus of village loyalty instead.

2. Where the village is divided by a long-standing feud between two families: here the parish church may well end up ‘in the pocket’ of one family, leading the other family to become staunch supporters of the chapel. What price ecumenism when this happens!