Independent of one’s own religious beliefs the history of the Christian faith is central to the history of the British nation state (and, of course, many other countries too). Its buildings, from the majestic to the rustic are all fascinating sources of historical evidence and often reflecting in their very fabric the history of their locality – the joy of church studies. Studies to be encouraged at every opportunity in a century when the buildings are listed as grade 1, 2 or 2* and yet face a very uncertain future in a secular age.
Atheist, or whatever, church music invariably has the capacity to lift the spirit and calm the troubled mind.
The liturgy, styles of worship and relationship with the many books of the Bible, all so often through history sources of contention, even fought over, yet central to an understanding of church history, independent of the student’s opinions.
Too often current-day agnostics dismiss church studies on the grounds that divisions within the Christian church past and present have been a cause of strife and conflict – too often the church assumes that only present-day believers are welcome to take an interest in the buildings and history of their faith.
Above picture shows the north side of St. James’, Grimsby, picture taken from near Freshney Place with monument to local fishing industry in the foreground.