Follow the skyline of most English towns and villages and you are bound to see one stucture standing proud - the parish church.  Whether newly built or centuries old, it cannot be denied that churches have altered the English landscape considerably.

They are arguably the centre of village life in England, and are perhaps one of the few remaining places where communities are drawn together with such regularity.

The term 'church' originally refered to a group of people sharing a faith based on Christianity. However, although initially a Christian concept the impressive architecture and inspiring designs of some of our nation's churches have a far-reaching appeal and attract people from all walks of life and faiths. After all, who could resist the quintessentially English sound of church bells ringing out on a Sunday morning?

This stamp was issued in June 1972 as part of the British Architecture, Village Churches set.

Illustration

3p stamp of a parish church, 1972